Drop your car into our garage for vehicle repairs from Renfrew Motor Engineers
Timing belts, cam belts and timing Chains
The timing belt (or cam belt) is an essential component of your car’s engine.
But what does it do, when does it need replacing and what happens if it breaks?
The main role of a cam belt or timing belt is to control the timing of your vehicle’s internal combustion engines. It controls the timing and sequence of when the valves to the cylinders open and close. To do that, it makes sure that the crankshaft and the camshaft rotate in sync.
When to replace the cam belt
There’s no set rule for when to replace your cam belt. It depends on the make and model of your car, as well as how much you drive the car. It’ll usually need to be replaced more than once over the course of a vehicle’s lifetime.
Manufacturers will usually recommend replacing your timing belt after a set number of years or miles. This could be anywhere from 40,000 to 100,000 miles or 4+ years.
We can quickly check our online system to determine if your car has a timing belt or timing chain and the intervals that manufacturers recommend replacement.
Timing chains vs timing belt
The main difference between a cam or timing belt and a timing chain is the material. Unlike cam belts, timing chains are made of metal.
Timing chains are housed inside the engine and are lubricated by the engine oil, while cam belts are usually located outside the engine.
Timing chains do not necessarily require change, unless they become noisy or break.
TOP TIP to keep your chain work correctly – carry out regular servicing to ensure oil it at optimum standard.
Car brake repairs
Would you like to get your brakes checked?
They may be noisy, inefficient or you simply need a peace of mind check. We can strip and provide a comprehensive report before carrying out any repairs using manufacturers or original equipment parts. We won’t replace parts unnecessarily
Car exhaust repairs
We can supply and fit a wide range of exhausts
If you notice any of the following you should have your exhaust checked by one of our friendly technicians to find out whether any components need replacing.
Common noises with faulty exhausts
- Rattling – a rattling noise may indicate loose brackets holding the system in place
- Roaring – a roaring noise could be a potential problem with the silencer
- Hissing or popping – this could be a sign one of the pipes is leaking
Car battery faults
We can supply and fit a wide range of batteries.
The health of your car battery is vital if you want to avoid being stranded at the roadside without the power to get you going again.
As the beating heart of your vehicle, the battery is one of the most critical parts yet most neglected.
Even the most powerful cars can be rendered immobile if the battery does not work.
We offer free battery check as part of our Good Garage Scheme Summer & Winter check.
Tyre and wheel garage services
We offer balancing, tyre fitting and puncture repairs. Wheel replacement services and alloy wheel repair can also be arranged.
You should choose the right tyre based on the kind of car you drive and the type of driving you do. If you drive short distances in and around town on the school run or to the shops, then economy and safety will be a priority.
If you do a lot of motorway journeys noise level, comfort and fuel efficiency maybe key to your choice of tyre.
The tread on the central 3/4 of the tyre must be 1.6mm or more to pass a MOT. If the tread is less than this, your car will fail the MOT.
Vehicle gearbox repairs & replacement
Whether you’re hearing noises when changing gears, or something just feels different, our trained technicians will perform a free clutch check. In order to put your mind at ease, we will perform a thorough inspection of your clutch system.
As with all repairs, we will seek authority before commencing any work.
