how long should a cam belt last????

cajef

martin2010 wrote: »

MerseyLad wrote: »

Ive just taken my 51 plate Renault Clio in for a service today and they have ticked the sheet saying "Timing belt - urgent attention"....although it was so urgent that they didn't mentioned it to me personally.

Its done 51k....

What would you recommend? can I check it myself for wear and tear and if so, what should i look for?

How much would I be looking at to sort it [as Renault wanted £395 for the job]

Thanks.

Hello, yes as long as the garage is trustworthy then take their word for it, cambelt replacement is a relatively cheap job in comparison to a engine replacement if it goes. Your average backstreet garage should charge anything between £100-200.

Well I hope he has done something about it by now as he posted that 4 years ago in 2006:)

milo_11_2

Hi, my cam belt apparantly busted at 61k miles in my 1.9 diesel citroen berlingo.
the symptoms of whatever it was happening, were that it had total loss of power, and a loud knocking noise, like it was a tank instead of a diesel. i had to keep it revved to keep the engine running at the time it happened (to move it to a safer place) or it would stall.
the knocking noise to be honest, just sounded like a twice as loud diesel, kinda like a 30 year old transit van! but it didnt sound good.

anyways, i took it in, they said after inspection, that the cambelt had gone, and that the water pump and something else went...

when it was fixed, and they gave me the old cam belt, the cambelt did have frays on it, not long pieces hanging off, but had probably 2mm missing off the edge of places... yet it was still in one circular piece, it hadnt actually broken apart... apparantly, it wasnt the injectors either..

so would the fraying or part of the fraying flying off into it somewhere, cause a loss of power (obviously form breaking something it hit) and make the diesel twice as loud? (it wasnt the exhaust either)many thanks,
sam

goldspanners

milo_11 wrote: »

Hi, my cam belt apparantly busted at 61k miles in my 1.9 diesel citroen berlingo.
the symptoms of whatever it was happening, were that it had total loss of power, and a loud knocking noise, like it was a tank instead of a diesel. i had to keep it revved to keep the engine running at the time it happened (to move it to a safer place) or it would stall.
the knocking noise to be honest, just sounded like a twice as loud diesel, kinda like a 30 year old transit van! but it didnt sound good.

anyways, i took it in, they said after inspection, that the cambelt had gone, and that the water pump and something else went...

when it was fixed, and they gave me the old cam belt, the cambelt did have frays on it, not long pieces hanging off, but had probably 2mm missing off the edge of places... yet it was still in one circular piece, it hadnt actually broken apart... apparantly, it wasnt the injectors either..

so would the fraying or part of the fraying flying off into it somewhere, cause a loss of power (obviously form breaking something it hit) and make the diesel twice as loud? (it wasnt the exhaust either)many thanks,
sam

if the belt tensioner had gone the belt would have slipped and the engine timing would then be out, this would cause your engine to sound very loud and unpredictable.
you've been very lucky here from what i can tell, im guessing the head didn't need to come off and no valves were bent?

evilsheep

My cam belt went on the motorway last week ... The belt, tensioners & pump were changed 20k miles ago, so within the recommended time. OH will be taking it apart to assess the damage this week, but I'm not expecting good news as it's a 1.8 turbo interference engine. I'm guessing a new/reconditioned engine will cost about £1500 (half the value of the car ).

aqueoushumour01

evilsheep wrote: »

My cam belt went on the motorway last week ... The belt, tensioners & pump were changed 20k miles ago, so within the recommended time. OH will be taking it apart to assess the damage this week, but I'm not expecting good news as it's a 1.8 turbo interference engine. I'm guessing a new/reconditioned engine will cost about £1500 (half the value of the car ).

thing about cambelts is that it's not just about the mileage but they go with age. If looking at sports type cars (that are not necessarily used a great deal) it's always advisable to check the date of the cambelt change and not just mileage. But, if 20k ago in your case is only a couple of years then that's very unlucky.

evilsheep

Yep, 2 years ago (just under in fact). The car is regularly used for commuting and not 'ramped' any more since I've taken it over from my OH. Just bad luck I guess. Very VERY bad luck ...

On the bright side (well, sort of - just trying to think positive!), with a new engine, hopefully the car will now keep going for a few more miles and I may as well fork out for a full valet so it'll be just like having a new car!

_pale_

sandx

I have just also been advised that the Cam Belt needs replacing on my car - VW Golf GTI as its now 4 years old.

The car was purchased from a VW dealer and their service dept have quoted me £390 including VAT.

This seems a bit expensive - can anyone suggest reputable garages in the Preston area that will do just as good a job for a bit less money?

Many thanks sandx

debull77

I have just booked mt VW polo deisel in for sevice and MOT and I was advised to replace the cambelt .I was quoted £275 and was told this was a special xmas price as it is normally £319.
I said I would think about it as my car is only 4 years old and has just 24k on the clock.

Strider590

nursemolly wrote: »

i have just had my car serviced and have been advised i shouledhave a new cam belt.
my last one was fitted aug 02. i only do about 5-6 thousand miles a year.
they have quoted me about £275 inclusive.

what sort of milage can i do on a cam belt??
sorry i am not mechanically minded
thanks
molly
xx

It's not just about mileage, the belt also deteriorates with time due to the heating/cooling cycles it goes through all year round.
Most manufacturers specify X miles or X years, whichever comes first.

In addition, very low mileage is very bad for your car.

pendulum

5 years late Strider.