how long should a cam belt last????

stellarorbit

Yesterday I took my car(a Ford Focus) in for it's annual service and was advised to have the cam belt replaced. I've done 50,000.

It cost £135. After collecting it, I intended to drive the 5 miles home. I didn't quite make it though! Coming out of a junction the car packed in. I called the AA who told me that the bolt for the unit housing the cam belt was loose and that I probably now had engine damage! They towed me back to my garage.

I've just come off the phone to them and they have told me that some of the cylinders are damaged and will have to be replaced. Also there is damage to cylinders on the exhaust side and there is a shortage of these parts. I've been told the car could be off the road for weeks!

Of course you need to get cam belts replaced, but just be careful who does the work....

espresso

Sorry to hear of your problem. As this was obviously caused by an incompetent mechanic, the garage should provide you with a free courtesy car until they have sorted out the mess that they have caused.

:mad:

stellarorbit

espresso wrote:

Sorry to hear of your problem. As this was obviously caused by an incompetent mechanic, the garage should provide you with a free courtesy car until they have sorted out the mess that they have caused.

:mad:

I hope so, although I didn't get one today. I drive an automatic and they don't have one as a courtesy car. Tomorrow will be the next episode in my saga!

tomstickland

ohreally wrote:

How does a toothed drive slip?

I've always wondered about this too - loads of people going on about their timing belt slipping on a forum that I used to frequent. The belt would have to be so loose to be falling off the pulleys for that to happen IMO.

Solar1

Interestingly the timing chain seem to go quite frequently on Vauxhall vectras and despite two friends being told they would have to pay between £1000 amd £3000 for them to replaced . I have now sucessfully proved that it is a manufacturing fault that the dealers do not disclose until pressured.

The result no charge for the £3000 bill and a refund for the other where they had paid the £1000 a few weeks ago. These were both SRi 150 models. hope this helps someone.

ohreally

Solar1 wrote:

I have now sucessfully proved that it is a manufacturing fault

Would you care to share your evidence?

Solar1

No problem but it is quite lengthy. Please PM me with details of your vehicle and I am happy to help .

northern_munky

Solar, is it something to do with the tensioner and guide rollers, I know early Vectras had big problems with these breaking up and causing lots of damage.

ailuro2

kaya wrote:

"if it aint broke then dont fix it"

a broken cam belt WILL completely wreck your engine if you try to move with it broken, very much a false economy to not get it done in time.

Birdy

mollytrundle 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

Suzuki Vitara V6 Auto 1998

FSH, but doesn't say anywhere on it if cam belt been replaced - about 85,000 miles on the clock.
Would it be easy to tell if this has been done - I think manual says due at 50,000?

TIA

B.