CAMBELTs
& TIMINGCHAiNS
Independent Car Repairs & Servicing – Leek, Staffordshire
Cambelt & Timing Chain
Scheduled Timing Replacement
At Ben Thompson Autos, our technicians prefer replacing cambelts and timing chains at manufacturers’ set intervals.
Cambelt & Timing Chain failure is often catastrophic for a petrol or diesel engine; simply put, an engine runs a set sequence dictated by a timing chain or cambelt, and once this component brakes/fail or ‘slips’ components once separated by both time and space are brought together causing damage.
Cambelt or Timing Chain – what’s the difference?
Both timing belts and timing chains are essential parts of your vehicle’s internal combustion engine. The main difference is the materials used; a cambelt is made of rubber composite, and a timing chain is made of metal.


What is the lifespan of a Cambelt or Timing Chain?
Timing chains, generally speaking, have a longer lifespan than cambelts, mainly due to the materials involved; chains are made from metal, whilst timing belts are made from rubber, which isn’t as strong (but are quieter, cheaper to manufacture and replace!). Still, Cambelts aren’t weak and are relatively dependable but will need replacing at some point, whereas a timing chain can last the operational life of a car, van or LGV.
Cambelt & Timing Chain – Warning Signs
Timing chains very rarely break, a failing timing chain is usually easy to spot – a worn chain will start to rattle noisily, which gives you a heads up that something is wrong… a timing belt however, usually snap without warning.
Cambelt & Timing Chain Replacements
With both a rubber cambelt or metal timing chain it is recommended to replace at the manufactures set interval – our workshop has the specialist equipment and diagnostic tools to replace a timing chain or cambelt correctly – book your replacement online.