how long should a cam belt last????

CFC

blue_haddock wrote: »

I wish people would realise that even timing chains can cause problems - over time they can stretch and become very noisy - despite theoretically never needing to be changed i have known of several older mercedes and bmws having to have the chain replaced and its not cheap when you have it done.

Also the oh so reliable Nissan Almera and Micra also suffer from chain failure which pretty much means a whole new engine.

How true. I was extremely fortunate in that my Micras timing chain went when I was stationary at the traffic lights and no harm was done.How lucky was that??

goldspanners

avhation wrote: »

I think it is high time that consumers avoided car brands which utilize cambelts which invariably require routine replacement, are intolerant of contamination and cause many breakdowns, some of which can be very expensive to fix (interference engines). Furthermore, some car manufacturers have misled buyers by stating long intervals between replacements for new models, then reducing the interval to generate trade for dealers. My VW dealer wanted over £900 to change my 2000 Passat's belt after 6 years. ( There is no calendar limit mentioned in the handbook. ) My 1997 Nissan Almera's chain is silent after 92,000 miles. My 1986 Peugeot 205 chain outlasted the car which was crushed at 150,000 miles - I believe this to be typical of chains. It's a brave person who will find out if a cambelt will outlast an engine! I want my next car to have a timing chain - does anyone have a definitive list of engines with timing chains?

i think its high time you spoke to some vectra and micra owners.
timing chains are no better than belts, for ultimate relaibility you want an engine with push rods and geared timing. if you can put up with the noise and poor fuel economy then forget chains and belts.

kirkkirk252

how do i ask a question ? or have i just done that?

kirkkirk252

i want to buy a car a renault clio 1997 r reg 72000 miles £400 prev owner doesnt no if cam belts been done should i stay well clear

assessorman_2

Timing belts life depends on vehicle make and model, some manufactures no longer give a recommended change mileage.
as a rule of thumb 50,000 - 80,000 is the normal life span or 5 years, as all rubber compounds deteriorate after time.
it is recommended that when you change the belt you should also change the tensioner and any idlers, as these are a common cause for belt failure, not the belt itself.
changing a belt is cheaper than a recondition head and the labour involved in fitting.

if your car has done more than 50,000 miles or more than 5 years old, and you are unsure if the belt has been changed, then get it done.

be sure you get several quotes on fitting, ring local parts suppliers or the dealer and find out the cost of the belt kit, find out from the dealer how long it takes to fit. you will then have an idea how much labour the garage is charging you.

Davey2009

If they dont know its been done it wont have & on this motor its probably overdue so Id at least get a price for this & use it to negotiate but at £400 I suppose you cant expect to much, either get a little money knocked of & take a chance or leave it.
PS
Personally Ive always gone for a car with a chain drive

datostar

goldspanners wrote: »

i think its high time you spoke to some vectra and micra owners.
timing chains are no better than belts, for ultimate relaibility you want an engine with push rods and geared timing. if you can put up with the noise and poor fuel economy then forget chains and belts.

Preferably side valve so you don't need those long pushrods and fiddly valve rockers. I recommend a sit up and beg Ford Popular or a Briggs & Stratton powered ride-on!

boysim34

hi there, i took my laguna 1.8 expression ( y) for it's mot today ( passed ) and also a service. where i take it they are family friends, they told me the cam belt is due for a change ( 5 years or 72,000 mile ). i brought the car second hand and at that time they changed the cam belt and some other pully things. since owning the car for the past five years i have only done about 10,000 miles. my question is do i need to have the cam belt changed even though i have not done many miles or is it time with it being 5 years since the last change, thanks guys and girls

goldspanners

boysim34 wrote: »

where i take it they are family friends, they told me the cam belt is due for a change ( 5 years or 72,000 mile ).



my question is do i need to have the cam belt changed even though i have not done many miles or is it time with it being 5 years since the last change, thanks guys and girls

your answer is in your question.

boysim34

take it i better start saving my pennies then, a awlful lot of them, do the cam belts degrade over time even if you have not used the car much or done many miles