Cambelt & Water Pump
Cambelt & Water Pump Replacement – Protect Your Engine from Costly Damage
Don’t wait for your cambelt to fail – preventative maintenance could save you thousands of pounds.
At Hardings (Hemel Hempstead) Ltd, we understand how important it is to keep your vehicle safe, reliable and running smoothly.
One of the most important – and sometimes overlooked – maintenance items on many vehicles is the cambelt, also known as the timing belt.
Unlike some other vehicle components, a cambelt can fail without any obvious warning. If it breaks or slips, the resulting engine damage can be extremely expensive and, in some cases, may require a complete engine replacement.
Replacing your cambelt at the manufacturer’s recommended intervals is one of the best ways to help protect your engine and avoid an unexpected breakdown.
What Does a Cambelt Actually Do?
Your cambelt plays a vital role in the operation of your engine.
It synchronises the movement of the crankshaft and camshaft, ensuring that the engine’s pistons and valves operate at precisely the right time.
This timing is essential for your engine to run correctly.
If the cambelt breaks or slips, the engine can lose this synchronisation. On many engines, this can cause the pistons and valves to collide, resulting in serious internal damage.
In simple terms, a relatively inexpensive belt helps protect one of the most expensive parts of your car – the engine itself.
Why Should You Replace Your Cambelt?
1. Helps Prevent Serious Engine Damage
A failed cambelt can cause extensive internal engine damage, including bent valves, damaged pistons and cylinder head damage.
Depending on the vehicle, repairs can run into thousands of pounds and may exceed the value of the car.
Replacing the cambelt before it reaches the end of its recommended service life significantly reduces the risk of failure.
2. Cambelts Deteriorate with Age as Well as Mileage
Many motorists believe a cambelt only needs replacing when the car has covered a certain number of miles.
However, cambelts also deteriorate with age, heat and environmental conditions.
Even a low-mileage vehicle may require cambelt replacement because of its age.
3. Failure Can Happen Without Warning
Unlike brake pads or tyres, a worn cambelt doesn’t necessarily produce obvious warning signs.
Your vehicle may appear to drive perfectly normally right up until the belt fails.
This is why following the manufacturer’s replacement schedule is so important.
4. Helps Prevent Unexpected Breakdowns
A broken cambelt will usually cause the engine to stop running, potentially leaving you stranded and facing recovery costs as well as expensive repairs.
Scheduled replacement helps reduce the risk of this happening.
5. Preventative Maintenance Makes Financial Sense
Cambelt replacement is a planned maintenance expense.
Engine repairs following cambelt failure can be considerably more expensive.
Replacing the belt at the correct interval is an investment in your vehicle’s reliability and long-term engine health.
Why Replace the Water Pump at the Same Time?
On many vehicles, the water pump is driven by the cambelt and is located within the same area of the engine.
The water pump circulates coolant around the engine, helping maintain the correct operating temperature and preventing overheating.
Like other mechanical components, water pumps can deteriorate over time as their bearings and seals wear.
When replacing a cambelt, we may recommend replacing the water pump at the same time, where appropriate for your vehicle.
There are several important benefits:
1. Saves on Future Labour Costs
Accessing the cambelt and water pump can involve removing several engine components.
When both are replaced together, much of the labour is already being carried out.
Replacing the water pump separately at a later date could mean paying for much of the same work again.
2. Reduces the Risk of Future Water Pump Failure
An ageing water pump may develop leaks, bearing wear or other faults.
Replacing it when appropriate reduces the likelihood of having to return for further repairs shortly after the cambelt has been renewed.
3. Helps Protect the New Cambelt
On engines where the water pump is driven by the cambelt, a failing pump can potentially affect the timing belt system.
Replacing both components together may help protect the new cambelt from problems associated with a deteriorating pump.
4. Helps Maintain the Cooling System
A correctly functioning water pump is essential for circulating coolant and maintaining the engine’s operating temperature.
A failing water pump can cause coolant loss, overheating and potentially serious engine damage.
Please note: Not all vehicles have a cambelt-driven water pump. Our technicians will recommend the appropriate replacement procedure for your particular engine.
What Is Included in a Cambelt Replacement?
Depending on the make, model and engine, a cambelt replacement may include:
- A new timing belt.
- Belt tensioners and guide pulleys.
- A water pump, where recommended or required.
- Replacement coolant, where necessary.
- Associated bolts, seals and other components specified by the manufacturer.
- Correct timing setup and checks by our experienced technicians.
At Hardings, we believe it’s important to carry out this work correctly using suitable quality replacement components.
How Often Should a Cambelt Be Replaced?
There is no single replacement interval that applies to every car.
Manufacturers generally specify cambelt replacement based on age, mileage or both, whichever comes first.
Depending on the vehicle, recommendations may range from approximately 40,000 to over 100,000 miles, with time limits commonly ranging from 4 to 10 years.
Some engines have different requirements, including additional checks or specific servicing procedures.
Even if your vehicle has covered very few miles, the cambelt may still require replacement due to its age.
Not sure when yours is due?
Our team at Hardings can help check the manufacturer’s recommended interval for your particular vehicle.
How Do You Know if Your Cambelt Has Been Changed?
If you’ve recently purchased a used car, you may not know whether its cambelt has previously been replaced.
Useful evidence can include:
- An invoice showing the cambelt replacement.
- A completed service record.
- A dated cambelt replacement label, where fitted.
- Confirmation from the garage that previously carried out the work.
If there is no reliable evidence of replacement, it is sensible to investigate the vehicle’s maintenance history, particularly if the cambelt is approaching or has exceeded its recommended interval.
Remember: A cambelt may look perfectly fine but still be overdue for replacement.
What Happens if You Ignore Cambelt Replacement?
Delaying cambelt replacement beyond the manufacturer’s recommended interval increases the risk of belt failure.
Depending on the engine design, the consequences can include:
- An unexpected breakdown.
- Bent or damaged engine valves.
- Damaged pistons or cylinder head.
- Major internal engine repairs.
- In severe cases, the need for a replacement engine.
The cost of repairing this damage can be many times greater than the cost of a scheduled cambelt replacement.
Cambelt or Timing Chain – What’s the Difference?
Not all vehicles have a cambelt.
Some engines use a timing chain instead, which performs a similar function but is constructed differently.
Timing chains do not necessarily have the same scheduled replacement intervals as cambelts, although they can still wear or develop faults.
Some modern engines also use timing belts that operate in oil, commonly known as wet belts, which may have specific maintenance requirements.
At Hardings, we can help identify which timing system your vehicle uses and advise on the appropriate maintenance.
Why Choose Hardings?
At Hardings (Hemel Hempstead) Ltd, we’ve been looking after motorists since 1946.
With decades of motor industry experience, we understand the importance of protecting your vehicle through correct servicing and preventative maintenance.
As an independent garage, we maintain and repair all makes and models of cars and light commercial vehicles.
Our experienced technicians can advise on your vehicle’s cambelt replacement requirements and whether replacing the water pump at the same time is recommended.
We’ll explain the work involved and provide a clear quotation before carrying out any repairs.
Don’t Risk an Expensive Engine Repair
Your cambelt may be hidden away inside your engine, but it performs one of the most important jobs in your vehicle.
Replacing it at the correct interval helps prevent unexpected failure and potentially costly damage.
Book Your Cambelt & Water Pump Replacement Today
Not sure whether your cambelt is due?
Contact Hardings (Hemel Hempstead) Ltd with your vehicle registration number and mileage, and our friendly team can help check the recommended replacement interval and provide a competitive quotation.
Hardings – Looking After You and Your Car Since 1946.
1. National Brake Fluid, Its Boiling Point Decreases.
Under demanding conditions, such as repeated heavy braking, towing or travelling down steep hills, excessively moisture-contaminated fluid may begin to boil.
This can create vapour within the braking system, potentially causing a soft or spongy brake pedal and reduced braking effectiveness.
Replacing deteriorated brake fluid helps maintain the performance and safety of your braking system.
2. Brake Fluid Deteriorates with Age, Not Just Mileage
Many motorists assume that if they haven’t driven many miles, their brake fluid won’t need replacing.
Unfortunately, this isn’t necessarily true.
Most modern vehicles use glycol-based brake fluid, which gradually absorbs moisture over time.
Even a vehicle covering only a few thousand miles a year may require a brake fluid change because of its age.
Unlike brake pads and tyres, brake fluid replacement is commonly based on time rather than mileage.
3. Helps Prevent Corrosion Inside Your Braking System
Moisture contamination doesn’t just affect braking performance.
Water absorbed into the brake fluid can contribute to internal corrosion within components such as:
- Brake pipes and hydraulic lines.
- Brake calipers.
- Brake master cylinders.
- ABS hydraulic control units.
These components can be expensive to repair or replace.
Changing brake fluid at the recommended intervals helps limit moisture-related corrosion and protect the braking system.
4. Helps Protect Your ABS and Stability Control Systems
Modern vehicles use sophisticated braking technology, including Anti-lock Braking Systems (ABS) and Electronic Stability Control (ESC).
These systems rely on hydraulic components and control valves to regulate brake pressure.
Contaminated brake fluid can contribute to corrosion and deterioration within sensitive hydraulic components.
Using the correct specification of clean brake fluid helps protect these important systems.
5. Helps Avoid Potentially Expensive Repairs
A brake fluid change is a relatively inexpensive maintenance procedure compared with replacing major braking components.
Neglecting brake fluid replacement can increase the risk of moisture-related corrosion and hydraulic system problems.
Regular replacement is sensible preventative maintenance that may help avoid more costly repairs later.
How Do You Know if Your Brake Fluid Needs Changing?
One of the biggest problems with ageing brake fluid is that there may be no obvious warning signs.
Your brakes may feel perfectly normal during everyday driving, even when the fluid has absorbed excessive moisture.
Possible signs that your brake fluid or braking system requires attention include:
- A brake fluid change being due according to the manufacturer’s schedule.
- A high moisture reading from a suitable brake fluid test.
- A soft or spongy brake pedal.
- Brake fluid that is visibly contaminated.
- A brake warning light appearing on your dashboard.
- A noticeable change in braking performance.
Important: A soft brake pedal or reduced braking performance may indicate a serious braking fault, not simply old brake fluid. If your brakes aren’t functioning normally, do not continue driving. Have the vehicle inspected professionally.
How Often Should Brake Fluid Be Changed?
Many vehicle manufacturers recommend replacing brake fluid approximately every two years, regardless of mileage.
However, the correct interval varies depending on the vehicle manufacturer, model and type of brake fluid used.
Some vehicles have different replacement schedules, so it’s important to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.
At Hardings, we can check the recommended interval for your particular vehicle and advise whether replacement is due.
Remember: Even if you only drive a few thousand miles a year, your brake fluid may still need replacing.
What Happens if You Don’t Change Your Brake Fluid?
As conventional brake fluid ages and absorbs moisture, several problems may develop:
- A reduction in the fluid’s boiling point.
- Increased risk of vapour forming during demanding braking conditions.
- Possible loss of braking effectiveness under high temperatures.
- Internal corrosion of hydraulic braking components.
- Potential problems with ABS hydraulic components.
- Increased risk of costly repairs.
Although these problems may develop gradually, the consequences of severely deteriorated brake fluid can be serious.
Replacing it at the recommended intervals helps reduce these risks.
What Is Involved in a Brake Fluid Change?
A professional brake fluid replacement generally involves:
- Checking the manufacturer’s brake fluid specification.
- Inspecting relevant parts of the braking system for obvious leaks or defects.
- Removing the old brake fluid from the hydraulic braking system using the appropriate procedure.
- Replacing it with new fluid meeting the manufacturer’s required specification.
- Bleeding the braking system correctly to remove trapped air.
- Checking the brake pedal feel, fluid level and system operation.
Some vehicles require specific equipment or procedures, particularly those with certain ABS or electronically controlled braking systems.
At Hardings, our experienced technicians follow the appropriate servicing procedures for your vehicle.
Does It Matter Which Brake Fluid Is Used?
Absolutely!
Not all brake fluids are the same.
Common brake fluid classifications include:
DOT 3
Used in certain vehicles, particularly older models, depending on manufacturer requirements.
DOT 4
Widely used in modern vehicles and designed to meet specified braking-system performance requirements.
DOT 5.1
A glycol-based brake fluid with performance characteristics suitable for certain applications.
DOT 5
A silicone-based fluid used in specific applications. It must not be confused with DOT 5.1 and is generally unsuitable for systems designed for conventional glycol-based brake fluids.
The correct fluid depends on the vehicle manufacturer’s requirements.
Using an incorrect or incompatible brake fluid can cause serious braking-system problems.
At Hardings, we use brake fluid that meets the appropriate specification for your vehicle.
Brake Fluid Change vs Brake Pads and Discs – What’s the Difference?
Although all three are essential to braking, they perform very different functions.
Brake Fluid
Transfers hydraulic pressure through the braking system, allowing the brakes to operate.
Brake Pads
Create friction against the brake discs to slow the wheels.
Brake Discs
Provide the braking surfaces against which the pads operate.
Brake pads and discs wear primarily through use, whereas conventional brake fluid also deteriorates with age and moisture absorption.
This means your brake fluid can be due for replacement even when your brake pads and discs are in excellent condition.
Will My Car Fail Its MOT Because of Old Brake Fluid?
An MOT test checks important aspects of the braking system, including braking efficiency, visible defects and certain fluid-related issues.
However, an MOT does not routinely include a brake fluid moisture or boiling-point test.
A vehicle can therefore pass its MOT while its brake fluid is overdue for replacement.
Passing an MOT should not be confused with completing the manufacturer’s recommended servicing.
At Hardings, we recommend keeping up to date with both MOT testing and routine vehicle maintenance.
Why Choose Hardings?
At Hardings (Hemel Hempstead) Ltd, we’ve been looking after motorists since 1946.
With decades of motor industry experience, we understand how important maintaining your vehicle’s braking system is to your safety.
As an independent garage, we service and repair all makes and models of cars and light commercial vehicles.
Our experienced technicians can advise whether your brake fluid is due for replacement and carry out the work using the correct fluid specification and appropriate procedures.
We’ll explain what your vehicle requires and provide a clear quotation before carrying out any additional work.
Don’t Compromise on Your Braking System
Your brakes are one of the most important safety systems on your vehicle.
While brake pads and discs often receive the most attention, the fluid operating your braking system is just as important.
Regular brake fluid replacement helps maintain dependable braking performance, protect hydraulic components and reduce the risk of expensive repairs.
Book Your Brake Fluid Replacement Today
Not sure when your brake fluid was last changed?
Contact Hardings (Hemel Hempstead) Ltd with your vehicle registration number, and our friendly team can check the manufacturer’s recommended replacement interval and provide a competitive quotation.
Hardings – Looking After You and Your Car Since 1946.
1. National Brake Fluid, Its Boiling Point Decreases.
Under demanding conditions, such as repeated heavy braking, towing or travelling down steep hills, excessively moisture-contaminated fluid may begin to boil.
This can create vapour within the braking system, potentially causing a soft or spongy brake pedal and reduced braking effectiveness.
Replacing deteriorated brake fluid helps maintain the performance and safety of your braking system.
2. Brake Fluid Deteriorates with Age, Not Just Mileage
Many motorists assume that if they haven’t driven many miles, their brake fluid won’t need replacing.
Unfortunately, this isn’t necessarily true.
Most modern vehicles use glycol-based brake fluid, which gradually absorbs moisture over time.
Even a vehicle covering only a few thousand miles a year may require a brake fluid change because of its age.
Unlike brake pads and tyres, brake fluid replacement is commonly based on time rather than mileage.
3. Helps Prevent Corrosion Inside Your Braking System
Moisture contamination doesn’t just affect braking performance.
Water absorbed into the brake fluid can contribute to internal corrosion within components such as:
- Brake pipes and hydraulic lines.
- Brake calipers.
- Brake master cylinders.
- ABS hydraulic control units.
These components can be expensive to repair or replace.
Changing brake fluid at the recommended intervals helps limit moisture-related corrosion and protect the braking system.
4. Helps Protect Your ABS and Stability Control Systems
Modern vehicles use sophisticated braking technology, including Anti-lock Braking Systems (ABS) and Electronic Stability Control (ESC).
These systems rely on hydraulic components and control valves to regulate brake pressure.
Contaminated brake fluid can contribute to corrosion and deterioration within sensitive hydraulic components.
Using the correct specification of clean brake fluid helps protect these important systems.
5. Helps Avoid Potentially Expensive Repairs
A brake fluid change is a relatively inexpensive maintenance procedure compared with replacing major braking components.
Neglecting brake fluid replacement can increase the risk of moisture-related corrosion and hydraulic system problems.
Regular replacement is sensible preventative maintenance that may help avoid more costly repairs later.
How Do You Know if Your Brake Fluid Needs Changing?
One of the biggest problems with ageing brake fluid is that there may be no obvious warning signs.
Your brakes may feel perfectly normal during everyday driving, even when the fluid has absorbed excessive moisture.
Possible signs that your brake fluid or braking system requires attention include:
- A brake fluid change being due according to the manufacturer’s schedule.
- A high moisture reading from a suitable brake fluid test.
- A soft or spongy brake pedal.
- Brake fluid that is visibly contaminated.
- A brake warning light appearing on your dashboard.
- A noticeable change in braking performance.
Important: A soft brake pedal or reduced braking performance may indicate a serious braking fault, not simply old brake fluid. If your brakes aren’t functioning normally, do not continue driving. Have the vehicle inspected professionally.
How Often Should Brake Fluid Be Changed?
Many vehicle manufacturers recommend replacing brake fluid approximately every two years, regardless of mileage.
However, the correct interval varies depending on the vehicle manufacturer, model and type of brake fluid used.
Some vehicles have different replacement schedules, so it’s important to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.
At Hardings, we can check the recommended interval for your particular vehicle and advise whether replacement is due.
Remember: Even if you only drive a few thousand miles a year, your brake fluid may still need replacing.
What Happens if You Don’t Change Your Brake Fluid?
As conventional brake fluid ages and absorbs moisture, several problems may develop:
- A reduction in the fluid’s boiling point.
- Increased risk of vapour forming during demanding braking conditions.
- Possible loss of braking effectiveness under high temperatures.
- Internal corrosion of hydraulic braking components.
- Potential problems with ABS hydraulic components.
- Increased risk of costly repairs.
Although these problems may develop gradually, the consequences of severely deteriorated brake fluid can be serious.
Replacing it at the recommended intervals helps reduce these risks.
What Is Involved in a Brake Fluid Change?
A professional brake fluid replacement generally involves:
- Checking the manufacturer’s brake fluid specification.
- Inspecting relevant parts of the braking system for obvious leaks or defects.
- Removing the old brake fluid from the hydraulic braking system using the appropriate procedure.
- Replacing it with new fluid meeting the manufacturer’s required specification.
- Bleeding the braking system correctly to remove trapped air.
- Checking the brake pedal feel, fluid level and system operation.
Some vehicles require specific equipment or procedures, particularly those with certain ABS or electronically controlled braking systems.
At Hardings, our experienced technicians follow the appropriate servicing procedures for your vehicle.
Does It Matter Which Brake Fluid Is Used?
Absolutely!
Not all brake fluids are the same.
Common brake fluid classifications include:
DOT 3
Used in certain vehicles, particularly older models, depending on manufacturer requirements.
DOT 4
Widely used in modern vehicles and designed to meet specified braking-system performance requirements.
DOT 5.1
A glycol-based brake fluid with performance characteristics suitable for certain applications.
DOT 5
A silicone-based fluid used in specific applications. It must not be confused with DOT 5.1 and is generally unsuitable for systems designed for conventional glycol-based brake fluids.
The correct fluid depends on the vehicle manufacturer’s requirements.
Using an incorrect or incompatible brake fluid can cause serious braking-system problems.
At Hardings, we use brake fluid that meets the appropriate specification for your vehicle.
Brake Fluid Change vs Brake Pads and Discs – What’s the Difference?
Although all three are essential to braking, they perform very different functions.
Brake Fluid
Transfers hydraulic pressure through the braking system, allowing the brakes to operate.
Brake Pads
Create friction against the brake discs to slow the wheels.
Brake Discs
Provide the braking surfaces against which the pads operate.
Brake pads and discs wear primarily through use, whereas conventional brake fluid also deteriorates with age and moisture absorption.
This means your brake fluid can be due for replacement even when your brake pads and discs are in excellent condition.
Will My Car Fail Its MOT Because of Old Brake Fluid?
An MOT test checks important aspects of the braking system, including braking efficiency, visible defects and certain fluid-related issues.
However, an MOT does not routinely include a brake fluid moisture or boiling-point test.
A vehicle can therefore pass its MOT while its brake fluid is overdue for replacement.
Passing an MOT should not be confused with completing the manufacturer’s recommended servicing.
At Hardings, we recommend keeping up to date with both MOT testing and routine vehicle maintenance.
Why Choose Hardings?
At Hardings (Hemel Hempstead) Ltd, we’ve been looking after motorists since 1946.
With decades of motor industry experience, we understand how important maintaining your vehicle’s braking system is to your safety.
As an independent garage, we service and repair all makes and models of cars and light commercial vehicles.
Our experienced technicians can advise whether your brake fluid is due for replacement and carry out the work using the correct fluid specification and appropriate procedures.
We’ll explain what your vehicle requires and provide a clear quotation before carrying out any additional work.
Don’t Compromise on Your Braking System
Your brakes are one of the most important safety systems on your vehicle.
While brake pads and discs often receive the most attention, the fluid operating your braking system is just as important.
Regular brake fluid replacement helps maintain dependable braking performance, protect hydraulic components and reduce the risk of expensive repairs.
Book Your Brake Fluid Replacement Today
Not sure when your brake fluid was last changed?
Contact Hardings (Hemel Hempstead) Ltd with your vehicle registration number, and our friendly team can check the manufacturer’s recommended replacement interval and provide a competitive quotation.
Hardings – Looking After You and Your Car Since 1946.
Cambelt & Water Pump Replacement – Protect Your Engine from Costly Damage
Don’t wait for your cambelt to fail – preventative maintenance could save you thousands of pounds.
At Hardings (Hemel Hempstead) Ltd, we understand how important it is to keep your vehicle safe, reliable and running smoothly.
One of the most important – and sometimes overlooked – maintenance items on many vehicles is the cambelt, also known as the timing belt.
Unlike some other vehicle components, a cambelt can fail without any obvious warning. If it breaks or slips, the resulting engine damage can be extremely expensive and, in some cases, may require a complete engine replacement.
Replacing your cambelt at the manufacturer’s recommended intervals is one of the best ways to help protect your engine and avoid an unexpected breakdown.
What Does a Cambelt Actually Do?
Your cambelt plays a vital role in the operation of your engine.
It synchronises the movement of the crankshaft and camshaft, ensuring that the engine’s pistons and valves operate at precisely the right time.
This timing is essential for your engine to run correctly.
If the cambelt breaks or slips, the engine can lose this synchronisation. On many engines, this can cause the pistons and valves to collide, resulting in serious internal damage.
In simple terms, a relatively inexpensive belt helps protect one of the most expensive parts of your car – the engine itself
Why Should You Replace Your Cambelt?
1. Helps Prevent Serious Engine Damage
A failed cambelt can cause extensive internal engine damage, including bent valves, damaged pistons and cylinder head damage.
Depending on the vehicle, repairs can run into thousands of pounds and may exceed the value of the car.
Replacing the cambelt before it reaches the end of its recommended service life significantly reduces the risk of failure.
2. Cambelts Deteriorate with Age as Well as Mileage
Many motorists believe a cambelt only needs replacing when the car has covered a certain number of miles.
However, cambelts also deteriorate with age, heat and environmental conditions.
Even a low-mileage vehicle may require cambelt replacement because of its age.
3. Failure Can Happen Without Warning
Unlike brake pads or tyres, a worn cambelt doesn’t necessarily produce obvious warning signs.
Your vehicle may appear to drive perfectly normally right up until the belt fails.
This is why following the manufacturer’s replacement schedule is so important
4. Helps Prevent Unexpected Breakdowns
A broken cambelt will usually cause the engine to stop running, potentially leaving you stranded and facing recovery costs as well as expensive repairs.
Scheduled replacement helps reduce the risk of this happening.
5. Preventative Maintenance Makes Financial Sense
Cambelt replacement is a planned maintenance expense.
Engine repairs following cambelt failure can be considerably more expensive.
Replacing the belt at the correct interval is an investment in your vehicle’s reliability and long-term engine health.
Why Replace the Water Pump at the Same Time?
On many vehicles, the water pump is driven by the cambelt and is located within the same area of the engine.
The water pump circulates coolant around the engine, helping maintain the correct operating temperature and preventing overheating.
Like other mechanical components, water pumps can deteriorate over time as their bearings and seals wear.
When replacing a cambelt, we may recommend replacing the water pump at the same time, where appropriate for your vehicle.
There are several important benefits:
1. Saves on Future Labour Costs
Accessing the cambelt and water pump can involve removing several engine components.
When both are replaced together, much of the labour is already being carried out.
Replacing the water pump separately at a later date could mean paying for much of the same work again.
2. Reduces the Risk of Future Water Pump Failure
An ageing water pump may develop leaks, bearing wear or other faults.
Replacing it when appropriate reduces the likelihood of having to return for further repairs shortly after the cambelt has been renewed.
3. Helps Protect the New Cambelt
On engines where the water pump is driven by the cambelt, a failing pump can potentially affect the timing belt system.
Replacing both components together may help protect the new cambelt from problems associated with a deteriorating pump.
4. Helps Maintain the Cooling System
A correctly functioning water pump is essential for circulating coolant and maintaining the engine’s operating temperature.
A failing water pump can cause coolant loss, overheating and potentially serious engine damage.
Please note: Not all vehicles have a cambelt-driven water pump. Our technicians will recommend the appropriate replacement procedure for your particular engine.
What Is Included in a Cambelt Replacement?
Depending on the make, model and engine, a cambelt replacement may include:
- A new timing belt.
- Belt tensioners and guide pulleys.
- A water pump, where recommended or required.
- Replacement coolant, where necessary.
- Associated bolts, seals and other components specified by the manufacturer.
- Correct timing setup and checks by our experienced technicians.
At Hardings, we believe it’s important to carry out this work correctly using suitable quality replacement components.
How Often Should a Cambelt Be Replaced?
There is no single replacement interval that applies to every car.
Manufacturers generally specify cambelt replacement based on age, mileage or both, whichever comes first.
Depending on the vehicle, recommendations may range from approximately 40,000 to over 100,000 miles, with time limits commonly ranging from 4 to 10 years.
Some engines have different requirements, including additional checks or specific servicing procedures.
Even if your vehicle has covered very few miles, the cambelt may still require replacement due to its age.
Not sure when yours is due?
Our team at Hardings can help check the manufacturer’s recommended interval for your particular vehicle.
How Do You Know if Your Cambelt Has Been Changed?
If you’ve recently purchased a used car, you may not know whether its cambelt has previously been replaced.
Useful evidence can include:
- An invoice showing the cambelt replacement.
- A completed service record.
- A dated cambelt replacement label, where fitted.
- Confirmation from the garage that previously carried out the work.
If there is no reliable evidence of replacement, it is sensible to investigate the vehicle’s maintenance history, particularly if the cambelt is approaching or has exceeded its recommended interval.
Remember: A cambelt may look perfectly fine but still be overdue for replacement.
What Happens if You Ignore Cambelt Replacement?
Delaying cambelt replacement beyond the manufacturer’s recommended interval increases the risk of belt failure.
Depending on the engine design, the consequences can include:
- An unexpected breakdown.
- Bent or damaged engine valves.
- Damaged pistons or cylinder head.
- Major internal engine repairs.
- In severe cases, the need for a replacement engine.
The cost of repairing this damage can be many times greater than the cost of a scheduled cambelt replacement.
Cambelt or Timing Chain – What’s the Difference?
Not all vehicles have a cambelt.
Some engines use a timing chain instead, which performs a similar function but is constructed differently.
Timing chains do not necessarily have the same scheduled replacement intervals as cambelts, although they can still wear or develop faults.
Some modern engines also use timing belts that operate in oil, commonly known as wet belts, which may have specific maintenance requirements.
At Hardings, we can help identify which timing system your vehicle uses and advise on the appropriate maintenance.
Why Choose Hardings?
At Hardings (Hemel Hempstead) Ltd, we’ve been looking after motorists since 1946.
With decades of motor industry experience, we understand the importance of protecting your vehicle through correct servicing and preventative maintenance.
As an independent garage, we maintain and repair all makes and models of cars and light commercial vehicles.
Our experienced technicians can advise on your vehicle’s cambelt replacement requirements and whether replacing the water pump at the same time is recommended.
We’ll explain the work involved and provide a clear quotation before carrying out any repairs.
Don’t Risk an Expensive Engine Repair
Your cambelt may be hidden away inside your engine, but it performs one of the most important jobs in your vehicle.
Replacing it at the correct interval helps prevent unexpected failure and potentially costly damage.
Not sure whether your cambelt is due?
Contact Hardings (Hemel Hempstead) Ltd with your vehicle registration number and mileage, and our friendly team can help check the recommended replacement interval and provide a competitive quotation.
Hardings – Looking After You and Your Car Since 1946.
