clio timing belt

mchale

jeannieblue wrote: »

Wow............

Meanwhile, during a routine service it would be noted if drive belt was worn/cracked. Think you are being a bit dramatic and not very helpful to the OP.

Edit: Not the Op.......... I meant Sssssssss!!

Not being a drama queen, just factual, also a drive belt can snap at anytime regardless of service history ie: alt bearings seize up, stone between pulley & belt etc and yes I have seen cambelts snap because a broken fan belt has got wrapped round a crankshaft pulley.

Sssssss

just to be clear I have no problem the garage changing the alternator belt as well as that only adds another £20 to the bill, but it's the fact they 3 garages have now told me that Renault advice that the tensioners / pulleys SHOULD also be changed!

I'm going to source the parts myself and see if I can find an indenpendent who will do the work as adviced here, thanks all.

Premier_2

Sssssss wrote: »

just to be clear I have no problem the garage changing the alternator belt as well as that only adds another £20 to the bill, but it's the fact they 3 garages have now told me that Renault advice that the tensioners / pulleys SHOULD also be changed!

I'm going to source the parts myself and see if I can find an indenpendent who will do the work as adviced here, thanks all.

The belt itself may only be about £20 (although about £35 would be more realistic for the genuine article I suspect), but the full kit including pulleys & tensioners is probably £100 - £150. (perhaps more - I'm going off a Ford equivilent price)

If the Renault advice is to change the belt as a complete kit - do so as they have probably found that the pulleys/tensioners break up too after the specified interval. The labour charge for replacing just the belt compared to the full kit is probably the same anyway.

I wouldn't advise getting the parts yourself. If the worst happens and the belt fails shortly after replacement, then you'll have a battle on your hands who is responsible. The repairer will probably blame the parts supplied; the part supplier will blame the repairer.
Get the repairer to supply & fit the parts themselves and if it fails prematurely, theres only one person who is responsible.

goldspanners

Sssssss wrote: »

just to be clear I have no problem the garage changing the alternator belt as well as that only adds another £20 to the bill, but it's the fact they 3 garages have now told me that Renault advice that the tensioners / pulleys SHOULD also be changed!

I'm going to source the parts myself and see if I can find an indenpendent who will do the work as adviced here, thanks all.

dont be silly, the tensioner can and do very often fail,infact its usually the tensioners that break causing the belt to come off. if you cange the belt you change the pulleys otherwise its false economy.
just imagine you nice new timing belt being thrown off the cam shaft pulleys because the belt tensioner bearing went the week after the belt was done.

theres no cheap option thes days when it come to timing belt, the tensioners have a limited life,they are usually sealed bearing with no means of additional lubrication.

jeannieblue

goldspanners wrote: »

dont be silly, the tensioner can and do very often fail,infact its usually the tensioners that break causing the belt to come off. if you cange the belt you change the pulleys otherwise its false economy.
just imagine you nice new timing belt being thrown off the cam shaft pulleys because the belt tensioner bearing went the week after the belt was done.

theres no cheap option thes days when it come to timing belt, the tensioners have a limited life,they are usually sealed bearing with no means of additional lubrication.

Goldie - they meant alternator belt tensioner

And I can't talk as I know nothing.......... :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

When was the last time you heard of an alternator belt failing and causing cam belt to snap???

goldspanners

jeannieblue wrote: »

Goldie - they meant alternator belt tensioner

And I can't talk as I know nothing.......... :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

When was the last time you heard of an alternator belt failing and causing cam belt to snap???

ive never had that to be honest,usually the belt just falls off. but im sure it could happen,just the same as anything getting behind the cambelt cover could snap or dislodge the belt.

Sssssss

jeannieblue wrote: »

Goldie - they meant alternator belt tensioner

And I can't talk as I know nothing.......... :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

When was the last time you heard of an alternator belt failing and causing cam belt to snap???

thanks jeannieblue, that's exactly what I meant. What I'm questioning is the recent practise of Renault telling their garages that they now have to change the tensioners for the alternator belt as well!

What next change the whole engine as well, might as well seeing as the mechanic has the bonnet open

Actually looking long term it is better to swap the car for a new one as there are some great discounts around, but impossible if you don't have the capital to start with

goldspanners

Sssssss wrote: »

thanks jeannieblue, that's exactly what I meant. What I'm questioning is the recent practise of Renault telling their garages that they now have to change the tensioners for the alternator belt as well!

What next change the whole engine as well, might as well seeing as the mechanic has the bonnet open

Actually looking long term it is better to swap the car for a new one as there are some great discounts around, but impossible if you don't have the capital to start with

sorry i miss interpreted your post.

but, renault will be advising this for a reason, they may have had several cases where this has caused damage. im sure they are better placed to make this decision.
i work for a dealer of an indutrial machinery manufacturer, they usually issue technical bulletins for things like this always with good reason.

jeannieblue

Goldie is right (annoyingly:D).

I've had to order in the alt belt and tensioner kit for Clio's we've had in... Not cheap, but there may be good pattern alternatives, but I don't think there are, not for the tensioner anyway - I hope to be corrected.

There may be cheap versions around - but you have to work out whether the cheap alternatives are good quality - some of the parts are cr*p.

Either way OP - think you could get a far better price for the work elsewhere. Find an independent - if you go for genuine parts, at least their labour will be cheaper than the dealership.

goldspanners

jeannieblue wrote: »

Goldie is right (annoyingly:D).

both purposes served then, im right and i annoyed you!:p