Renault Cam Belt Change

grayselegy

Hi Folks, I 'd like to ask for some help. I'm sure my R-reg Renault Safrane 2.5 auto RXE needs a cam-belt change, tho' the car has absolutely no problems otherwise and has been looked after. But it's only worth about £500, so I don't want to spend that again on doing it. Where could I find a cheap good mechanic that could do this job without me paying dealer prices? I don't know where to start. I live in Wiltshire, nr Chippenham and there's apparently not many "back street" garages around here. Any mobile specialists out there? I'd appreciate some feedback. Thanks & Regards, Mike

hewhoisnotintheknow

i live in wilts and work in berks, there is an excellent guy here at a company called downes autos

I would imagine you would be looking at atleast £250, so you need to ask yourself the question is it worth risking not doing it?

grayselegy

Thanks, nice idea, and I agree it must be done - better safe than sorry. Unfortunately I need a local person, Berks is a bit far to go! Regards, Mike

hewhoisnotintheknow

its not too bad, only 40 mins, BUT you will be stuck here with nothing to do all day!

If the car is only worth 500 have a look round it and decide what work will be due in the next year or so (new tyres etc) and decide if its worth risking it.

A workmate of mine purchased a cheap xantia 5 years ago that was due its cambelt and its still going strong, he has been lucky of course, you might not be!

grayselegy

This is what I'm thinking. If the cam belt snapped, I could probably still sell the car for £300 for parts alone (alloy wheels, leather seats) and since it seems in such good nick I don't really want or need to spend a fortune on it. Put another way, if I could find someone to do it for, say £150, then I'd go ahead, but £250 is probably too much...

grayselegy

As a matter of information, my local dealer quotes 7 hours work and a price of £800 - almost twice what I paid for the car - thus almost guaranteeing that anyone with this car couldn't justify getting the cambelt changed! It's a sad day when cars become disposable items - use 'em until they break down, then buy another. Just doesn't seem right somehow....

goldspanners

grayselegy wrote: »

As a matter of information, my local dealer quotes 7 hours work and a price of £800 - almost twice what I paid for the car - thus almost guaranteeing that anyone with this car couldn't justify getting the cambelt changed! It's a sad day when cars become disposable items - use 'em until they break down, then buy another. Just doesn't seem right somehow....

DIY then its not disposable. get a haynes manual for a few quid on ebay (if they done one for the safranne?)

grayselegy

Ta, will get one today. Good idea. Regards, M.

grayselegy

Just found a company called Cambelters in Peterborough can do this job for £300 including a water pump belt change as well, which is great. Anybody got any feedback on this company? It's a long way to drive to get the work done, but worth it at this price.

Bob63

There is an independent cambelt specialist in Bristol. Car-Tek - Unit 11 Bristol Vale Industrial Estate Bedminster, Bristol, Avon BS3 5RJ phone: 01179636263