Cambelts

michpotts

Just bought a 6 year old 1.8l 16v petrol Vauxhall Meriva with 45,000 miles on the clock. Am wondering if it's worth getting the cambelt changed. Tried asking Vauxhall themselves through the website and via email and get conflicting advice- 40,000 or 4 years, 62,000 or 6 years, 80,000 or 8 years are all answers I've been given.

My husband had a cambelt snap on him in a VW Caddy van a couple of years back and it cost £1000 to put right (with a second hand engine) so I know its a dear do. Tried phoning a few garages and they won't give me a price- they just say "bring it in and we'll look at it". Haven't got a clue what it costs- will I have a pay an hour's labour just to get a straight answer?

Rolandtheroadie

http://www.jcmotorengineers.co.uk/timing_belts.html These guys are quoting nearly £200 supplied and fitted (just an example, dont know if they are near you or not). You can get a genuine belt kit for £56 on ebay or from vauxcentre for the same price.

Hintza

Have you checked at a dealership if it is noted on their database when/if it was done?

If it was mer I would probably have it done (inc all pulleys, water pump etc (if driven by the belt) )

Also using nail varnish note down mileage and date it was done somewhere on the bulkhead for future reference.

mikey72

scotsman4th wrote: »

http://www.jcmotorengineers.co.uk/timing_belts.html These guys are quoting nearly £200 supplied and fitted (just an example, dont know if they are near you or not). You can get a genuine belt kit for £56 on ebay or from vauxcentre for the same price.

Sounds about right. Get it done now if it's 6 years.

Needs the waterpump at another £30 as well, use vauxhall parts.
Get the garage that fits to suppy the parts, then you'll get a warranty on the job, with no argueing later if anything goes wrong.

oldagetraveller

Have you 'phoned a franchised dealer's service department and asked them (Hintza beat me to it!). Last time I was in a dealer's service department there was a notice posted which I'm sure advised 4 years/40000 miles but referred to certain petrol engines and I can't remember which, sorry!
I have a 16v Diesel that is 80000 miles or, I think 10 years - until there are failures before the recommended time when they'll reduce the interval!
I'd say it probably is worth it anyway.

colino

Fit a new belt kit, comparitively speaking its cheap insurance and unless you have bullet proof history to the contrary, the mileage on a 6 year old car isn't to be held as gospel.
The garages who couldn't give you a quote on a bread and butter job like this have helped you. You wont be using them now or in the future.

michpotts

So I'm looking at about 2-3 hours worth of labour + parts? Around £200? If garages have a rough idea how long something takes and what the parts cost why can't they just give you a price? Is this a fairly standard thing or am I ringing the wrong garages?

michpotts

oh thanks colino you just answered my question as I was asking it.

moonrakerz

Vauhalls have a bad reputation when it comes to cam belts - get it changed !

TiTheRev

Cambelt changes are coming down as they are finding that the salt used during winter is deteriorating the belt quicker than normal, and having had two particularly poor winters belts have suffered. The 'average' recommended cambelt replacement used to be 5yrs or 60,000, but it's coming down to 4yrs or 40,000.

As advised, I'd get it done (with the water pump) with genuine parts if possible as you'll get a 2year warranty and more come back if there are any issues. It's not worth scrimping on the cambelt, as if it goes, so does your engine!

mikey72

At 2008 prices, £90 for the vauxhall belt kit, £35 for the pump, and two hours labour for the same engine.
Don't be tempted to save £30 by supplying the parts yourself, if anything goes wrong, you've no comeback on the garage.