Question 1

Birmingham

Accepted Answer

Birmingham is the second-most popular city in the UK, located in the Midlands with a population of over 4.3million.Originally a market town in the medieval period, Birmingham is now an international commercial centre and an important transport, retail, events and conference hub.A centre for culture, Birmingham is home to the Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, the Birmingham Royal Ballet and the Birmingham Repertory Theatre.Birmingham has also played its part in sporting history; home to Aston Villa FC and Birmingham City FC, it was Birmingham resident and Aston Villa director William McGregor who founded the Football League.Birmingham will also be the host city for the 2022 Commonwealth Games, expected to take place in July and August 2022.

Question 2

The most popular cars in Birmingham

Accepted Answer

Possibly due to the rise in industry and commerce, and its handy functionality in city traffic, the Mercedes A-Class is estimated to be the most popular car in Birmingham, according to data provided between 2012 to 2018 by ownership and postcode.Close on its heels—and in order of popularity—are the Ford Fiesta, Volkswagen Golf, Nissan Qashqai and the Land Rover Discovery Sport.

Question 3

Vehicle numbers in Birmingham

Accepted Answer

There are approximately 3 million licensed vehicles in the Birmingham area, with some of the most popular models including the Mini, Kia Sportage and the Ford Focus.

Question 4

Fixter garages in Birmingham

Accepted Answer

There are a total of 49 Fixter garages in the Birmingham area, all ready and waiting to provide you with a fantastic quote for your car service, MOT and a wide range of vehicle repairs.Fixter garages service the following postcodes and more, in and around the Birmingham area:
B1, B2, B3 & B4: City Centre, Birmingham
B6: Aston & Witton, Birmingham
B10: Small Heath, Birmingham
B15: Edgbaston, Birmingham
B8: Washwood Heath, Birmingham
B13: Moseley, Birmingham

Question 5

What is included in a timing belt check?

Accepted Answer

A timing belt check will involve a thorough inspection of the timing belt and its related components. These checks are particularly important to carry out on belts that are over 4 or 5 years old - because the timing belt is made of rubber, it will wear down over time and eventually break. When it breaks, the engine might stop running completely, or the components will be out of sync, causing serious damage to the engine.Failing to replace the timing belt at the recommended time could result in engine failure, broken valves, cylinder head or camshaft damage, and cylinder wall damage, all of which are bad news for your wallet!

Question 6

how long do timing belts last?

Accepted Answer

The lifespan of your timing belt is specific to your car and engine configuration, but is usually between 60,000 and 100,000 miles or 7 to 10 years.

Question 7

What does a timing belt do?

Accepted Answer

The timing belt, or cambelt, is a vital engine component with a key role to play in keeping your motor running smoothly. It ensures the top and bottom halves of your engine rotate precisely in time with each other. Essentially, this ribbed rubber belt with teeth synchronises the crankshaft and camshaft's rotation. It controls the sequencing and timing of the opening and closing of the valves on the cylinders in your engine to provide the right combustion.Camshafts, made up of the main journals, the lobes (or bulges) and the ends, control the valves in the cylinder head. A rocker head takes the spinning motion of an overhead camshaft and turns it into the movement that opens and closes the valves.Timing chains essentially perform the same function as cambelts but may be slightly noisier. The chains generally last as long as the vehicle (and generally require less frequent replacing), although the plastic guides they run over may not.

Question 8

What causes the timing belt to break?

Accepted Answer

The main reasons a timing belt may break are its age and usage, or a failing water pump. Old age causes the materials to lose functionality, and overuse will wear a timing belt's teeth and tension. Contamination over time, from oil, water or other debris, can encourage deterioration. A failed water pump will seize the operation of the gears with such a force it can cause the timing belt to snap.

Question 9

How do I know if my timing belt needs replacing?

Accepted Answer

Some common signs that your timing belt may need replacing are:
Engine is making a ticking noise
Engine struggles or fails to turn over
Rough engine idle
Engine misfires frequently
Drop in oil pressure or an oil leak

Question 10

How long do timing belts last?

Accepted Answer

The lifespan of your timing belt is specific to your car and engine configuration, but is usually between 60,000 and 100,000 miles or 7 to 10 years. Because timing belts are made of rubber, they wear down over time and can eventually break. It’s therefore crucial that you have yours regularly checked for tears, splitting and general signs of wear to avoid the inconvenience (and expense!) of your belt snapping.

Question 11

Is it expensive to replace a timing belt?

Accepted Answer

At between £200 and £500, it may seem like an expensive replacement cost. However, if you compare the cost to replacing your engine, which a worn or snapped timing belt can lead to, it seems like better value.

Question 12

What happens when the timing belt breaks while driving?

Accepted Answer

The short answer is: It will damage your engine.The long answer is: The camshaft stops turning, leaving some engine valves open. The heavier crankshaft continues rotating, causing pistons to crash into the open engine valves, bending or breaking them and possibly the cylinders. Damaged pistons and cylinders require the engine to be repaired or even replaced.

Question 13

Will a broken timing belt badly damage my engine?

Accepted Answer

It depends on your engine type. There are 2 types of engine concerning this issue: an interference engine and a non-interference engine.If your car has an interference engine then serious damage is highly likely. A non-interference engine is far less likely to suffer engine damage when the timing belt breaks.

Question 14

Do you need to replace the water pump with a timing belt?

Accepted Answer

Your water pump has the same estimated lifespan as your timing belt. Although it's not imperative, it's highly recommended that both components are changed at the same time. Their operations are dependent on each other, and when replacing a timing belt, you have to remove the water pump to access it. There is no good reason not to replace one without replacing the other.

Question 15

Does a new timing belt improve performance?

Accepted Answer

No. It can only restore the correct function, and timing, of your engine. It will improve your engine reliability, that's for sure, and you might sense your engine performing better if the old timing belt had become worn or loose. An incorrectly tensioned belt can lead to differences in your engine's timing. However, fitting a new belt won't improve your engine performance, only return it to its correct operation.

Question 16

Can you drive with a broken timing belt?

Accepted Answer

No. Once your timing belt breaks, your engine will immediately stop running and turn off. Depending on which type of engine system your car operates with, will determine the amount of damage. Your engine won't start again, either way.

Question 17

How long does it take to replace a timing belt and water pump?

Accepted Answer

Depending on your car and your mechanic, it can take anywhere between 3 and 6 hours to replace your timing belt and water pump. Given that you must remove the water pump to access the timing belt, and they both have the same lifespan, it's highly recommended to replace both at once. If you chose to replace both separately, you could end up paying almost double due to hourly labour rates.

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Our expert insights into free timing belt check in Birmingham

Our expert insights into free timing belt check in Birmingham

What is included in a timing belt check?

How do I know if my timing belt needs replacing?

How much does it cost to fix my car?

What is included in a timing belt check?

How do I know if my timing belt needs replacing?

How much does it cost to fix my car?

Our trusted and certified garages in Birmingham

XCLUSIVE MOTOR SERVICES LTD

Birmingham, UK

SMART MOT CENTRE BIRMINGHAM

Birmingham, UK

CW Vehicle Service LTD

Birmingham, UK

West Midlands Saab Specialists WMSS Ltd

Wood Lane, UK

Smiths Repair & MOT Ltd

Erdington, UK

Auto-Serve Garages Ltd

BIRMINGHAM, UK

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Book your next free timing belt check in Birmingham in less than 5 minutes.

Book your next free timing belt check in Birmingham in less than 5 minutes.

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Want to learn more about free timing belt check in Birmingham?

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