The short version
- What it is: The timing belt, also called the camshaft belt, keeps the engine's valves and pistons in step.
- Watch for: Your car has reached the timing-belt interval in the owner's manual, by mileage or by age; a ticking or slapping noise from the front of the engine; a squeal or whine from the timing-belt area.
- How we work: It wears out on a schedule, and on most modern engines a broken belt means serious engine damage. We replace it before that happens.
- Backed by: 2-year / 24,000-mile warranty on qualifying parts and labor.
- Book: Online in about a minute, or call 510-528-1214. Mon–Fri 8–5.
Timing Belt Replacement at Berkeley Motor Works
The timing belt, also called the camshaft belt, keeps the engine's valves and pistons in step. It wears out on a schedule, and on most modern engines a broken belt means serious engine damage. We replace it before that happens.
We work on BMW, Mercedes-Benz, MINI, Audi, Volkswagen, Porsche, Volvo, Land Rover, Jaguar and Fiat at our shop at 736 San Pablo Avenue in Albany, and every repair is backed by our 2-year / 24,000-mile warranty on qualifying parts and labor.
Components we service
What are the signs? 6-point checklist
- Your car has reached the timing-belt interval in the owner's manual, by mileage or by age
- A ticking or slapping noise from the front of the engine
- A squeal or whine from the timing-belt area
- Oil or coolant leaking near the timing-belt cover
- The engine cranks but will not start
- A check-engine light for camshaft or crankshaft position correlation
Sound familiar? Book an inspection or call 510-528-1214.
What causes it? 5 common causes
- Normal wear: belts stretch, crack and lose teeth with miles and years
- Age: rubber hardens even on cars that are driven very little
- A worn tensioner or idler pulley that lets the belt slip or wander
- An oil leak from a cam or crank seal soaking the belt
- A failing water pump, when the pump is driven by the timing belt
How do we diagnose it?
- Identify the exact engine, because belt-driven and chain-driven versions of the same model exist
- Check your service records for when the belt was last replaced
- Inspect the belt, tensioner, pulleys, water pump and seals for leaks and wear
- Explain what should be replaced with the belt and why, with photos, before any work begins
What should you tell us when you book?
- When it happens: cold start, braking, turning or at speed
- Any warning lights on the dash (a phone photo helps)
- Your mileage and roughly when the car was last serviced
- Any recent repairs done elsewhere
What might the repair involve?
A timing belt job is mostly labor: on many engines the front of the car has to be partly taken apart to reach it. Because of that, the tensioner, idler pulleys and, on engines where the belt drives it, the water pump are normally replaced at the same time. Doing them separately later would mean paying for the same labor twice. After the new belt is fitted, the engine timing is set to the manufacturer's marks and checked before the engine is started. If a belt has already broken on an interference engine, we test compression to find out whether the valves were damaged before recommending a repair. For a larger repair, financing through EasyPay lets you spread the cost.
What maintenance prevents it?
Replace the timing belt on the interval your manufacturer sets for your engine. Intervals are commonly somewhere between 60,000 and 120,000 miles, and most also have an age limit, so a low-mileage car can still be due. If you bought the car used and there is no record of the belt being done, treat it as due.
Which European makes do we service?
Timing Belt Replacement for all ten makes we work on. Pick yours for model-specific maintenance and common repairs.
Timing Belt Replacement for Albany and East Bay drivers
All work is done at our shop at 736 San Pablo Avenue in Albany, convenient to Berkeley, El Cerrito, Richmond and Oakland. Drop off in the morning; El Cerrito Plaza BART is under a mile away.
Questions about timing belt replacement
Is a camshaft belt the same as a timing belt?
Yes. Camshaft belt, cam belt and timing belt are three names for the same part. It links the crankshaft to the camshafts so the valves open and close at exactly the right moment.
Does my car have a timing belt or a timing chain?
It depends on the engine, not just the make. Almost every BMW, MINI and Mercedes-Benz built since the 1990s uses a timing chain. Many Audi and Volkswagen engines use a belt, including the older 1.8T, the 2.0 TDI diesel and the 1.4 TSI, while others such as the later 2.0T use a chain. Volvo five-cylinder and Drive-E four-cylinder engines use belts, as does the Fiat 500's 1.4. Give us your VIN and we will tell you.
What happens if a timing belt breaks?
The engine stops immediately. On an interference engine, which describes most modern belt-driven engines, the pistons can then hit the open valves and bend them, turning a planned maintenance job into a cylinder-head repair.
Should the water pump be replaced with the timing belt?
On engines where the timing belt drives the water pump, yes in most cases. The pump sits behind the belt, so replacing it later means paying for most of the same labor again.
Where is the timing belt located?
Behind a plastic or metal cover on the end of the engine, usually on the passenger side of a front-wheel-drive car with a sideways-mounted engine, or at the front of a lengthways-mounted engine.
How much does timing belt replacement cost?
It varies widely with the engine, because the labor time does. We quote it for your specific engine, listing the belt, tensioner, pulleys and water pump separately so you can see exactly what you are paying for.