Cambelts

michpotts

If cambelts need changing so often, why don't the manufacturers make them so they're easier to gain access to? (Is that a daft question?)

mikey72

michpotts wrote: »

If cambelts need changing so often, why don't the manufacturers make them so they're easier to gain access to? (Is that a daft question?)

Because they don't need to change them.
You have to pay their dealers to do it.
Harder the better.
In fact, I think there is an engine mount in the middle of your cam belt..

michpotts

So basically its a big rip off!

Wee_Willy_Harris

michpotts wrote: »

So basically its a big rip off!

Well, not as such. Transverse engines don't help with access to the cambelt. Squeezing engines into tighter spaces with many more ancilliaries attached is never an easy job. Even old Minis can be an access nightmare. The bits that need more regular attention (air filters, oil filters etc) tend to get the access priority. £200 every 40,000 miles equates to half a penny a mile.

Strider590

The VX 1.8 engine has to be changed at 40'000 mile intervals.... Don't take the risk.

michpotts

£200 for 40,000 miles that I didn't do but I get your point.

I haven't bought this car expecting it to be cheap. I've had 2 bangers now that weren't cared for. Now I've got a half-decent car and I'm going to look after it and maintain it properly.

Wee_Willy_Harris

michpotts wrote: »

£200 for 40,000 miles that I didn't do but I get your point.

I haven't bought this car expecting it to be cheap. I've had 2 bangers now that weren't cared for. Now I've got a half-decent car and I'm going to look after it and maintain it properly.

Look at it as £200 for the NEXT 40,000 miles. The first 40,000 was paid for as part of the purchase price. Cam belts are right up there with engine oil/pressure, in terms of things going wrong. If you pay decent money for a car with over 40,000 miles and you have no evidence to suggest that the cam belt HAS been changed, I would always consider it, particularly if I intended to keep it for a good while. It's less than the cost of a new exhaust, or even a set of tyres, and you wouldn't think twice about those.

skiddlydiddly

michpotts wrote: »

If cambelts need changing so often, why don't the manufacturers make them so they're easier to gain access to? (Is that a daft question?)

They're on the end of the engine and as engines have progressively got bigger they get closer to the body of the car.Most cars are fwd so moving the engine across isn't really an option.I imagine an average rwd cambelt is a lot easier to change than an average fwd as it will be right in front of you as you look at the engine.

Timing chains are stronger but heavier and noisier and require lubrication.

rev_henry

On the subject of alternatives to cambelts, have pushrod engines totally died now?

skiddlydiddly

Wee_Willy_Harris wrote: »

Look at it as £200 for the NEXT 40,000 miles. The first 40,000 was paid for as part of the purchase price. Cam belts are right up there with engine oil/pressure, in terms of things going wrong. If you pay decent money for a car with over 40,000 miles and you have no evidence to suggest that the cam belt HAS been changed, I would always consider it, particularly if I intended to keep it for a good while. It's less than the cost of a new exhaust, or even a set of tyres, and you wouldn't think twice about those.

Agree with this.I bought a car and the history was a bit patchy so rather than start chipping on the price I got the dealer to service it and change the cambelt instead.
I've paid for an engine rebuild in the past(although that was due to ringland damage) and don't want to do it again.