Question 1

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 2

How often should a timing belt need replacing?

Accepted Answer

There’s no ‘one size fits all’ approach for how often to replace yours—a lot depends on your motor’s age and condition. 
There’s also huge variation between manufacturers and different engines. So you might need a new belt after 4 years, or 6, or after driving 40,000 or 100,000 miles. Consult your car’s manual—most manufacturers’ recommendations are based on time passed or miles driven, depending on which elapses first. However, we’d always suggest treating these recommendations as a maximum, and erring on the side of caution.

Question 3

The law, vehicle regulations, and your MOT

Accepted Answer

The timing belt will not be examined at your car’s MOT, but the associated issues of running a car with a faulty timing belt can lead to severe engine damage, which can.

Question 4

What happens when we replace your timing belt?

Accepted Answer

Our efficient and fully qualified mechanics will disassemble the parts of the engine to access the timing belt and proceed to examine the timing belt, the belt’s pulleys and tensioner.
Wherever required your timing belt will be replaced and you’ll be advised of any other connected or associated problems arising from its malfunction.
You will also be advised of any other parts that may need to be replaced for the best operation and health of your vehicle.
Once the timing belt has been replaced, our mechanics will test your car thoroughly to ensure the correct running of the new part and make any adjustments required for its premium operation.

Question 5

What causes a timing belt to stop working correctly?

Accepted Answer

Like most car parts, your timing belt will wear out eventually due to cracking, snapping or tearing. Timing belts are also unpredictable, with few warning signs of damage. (Although starting issues and noise may offer clues.) Driving your car infrequently, oil leaks and temperature changes, among other factors, can all play their part.

Question 6

Symptoms of a malfunctioning timing belt

Accepted Answer

If a grinding or squeaking noise is being emitted from your engine, it could be a malfunctioning timing belt.

Question 7

You hear unusual noises coming from the engine

Accepted Answer

If your timing belt has broken, this can cause problems with your engine that lead to the vehicle not starting.

Car make and model	Average dealer price	Price estimate	Average savings
Subaru Legacy	£721	£507 - £620	£158
Subaru B9 Tribeca	£604	£486 - £593	£65
Subaru Tribeca	£742	£601 - £735	£73
Subaru MV Pick-up	£434	£305 - £373	£95
Subaru Impreza	£500	£388 - £474	£69
Subaru Legacy Outback	£747	£579 - £708	£103
Subaru BRZ	£513	£385 - £471	£86
Subaru XV	£684	£505 - £617	£123
Subaru WRX	£857	£603 - £737	£188
Subaru Vivio	£467	£331 - £405	£99
Subaru Outback	£752	£594 - £726	£92
Subaru Tribeca	£742	£601 - £735	£73
Subaru Vivio	£467	£331 - £405	£99
Subaru Justy	£418	£342 - £418	£38
Subaru Legacy	£721	£507 - £620	£158
Subaru XV	£684	£505 - £617	£123
Subaru WRX	£857	£603 - £737	£188
Subaru MV Pick-up	£434	£305 - £373	£95
Subaru Legacy Outback	£747	£579 - £708	£103
Subaru Impreza	£500	£388 - £474	£69
Subaru Legacy	£721	£507 - £620	£158
Subaru B9 Tribeca	£604	£486 - £593	£65
Subaru Tribeca	£742	£601 - £735	£73
Subaru MV Pick-up	£434	£305 - £373	£95
Subaru Impreza	£500	£388 - £474	£69

Subaru timing belt replacement

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Our expert insights into Subaru timing belt replacement

Our expert insights into Subaru timing belt replacement

What does a timing belt do?

Symptoms of a malfunctioning timing belt

How much does it cost to fix my car?

What happens when we replace your timing belt?

What does a timing belt do?

Symptoms of a malfunctioning timing belt

How much does it cost to fix my car?

What happens when we replace your timing belt?

Our trusted and certified garages

Millennium Garages

London, UK

Holocene Motor Group

London, UK

Blenheim Transport Ltd

London, UK

Canning Car Care

London, UK

Dundalk Motors

London, UK

Universal Automobile Engineers

London, UK

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