Car Maintenance - CAM Belts

Keith

You could consider having a recon engine fitted, if the cambelt has snapped the camshaft collapses onto the valves, causing them to bend, repair is very expensive so it's worth considering a reconditioned engine

manda1205

kayleighb you'll get more response by starting a new thread, click on the new thread button in the motoring forum.
Anyway, very unfortunate as to whats happened, too late now but you really should get some sort of help when looking for cars, you can get the RAC to check cars for you (at a cost) but at least it could save you a lot of expense later. As for now, you could get another engine and have it fitted, trouble is you need someone reliable to help you find the engine and a good garage to fit it so you dont get ripped again. You could also sell it as is, you still may get some money back, cos theres always someone who will want to do the work (ie fit another engine).

Hintza

Not sure on a Renault but on a Golf it was well over £1,000. Think nearer £1500.

Personally speaking if I were you I would ditch it.

If you want to buy another older car buy one with a chain (old Corsa's etc) if you buy anothe one with a belt either get it done or find some proof that it has been done.

Cam belts to my mind are shocking retrograde step in engine design and to keep fleet buyers happy the recommended change intervals are far to long. On our Golf it went at 33,000 miles when it was supposed to be done at 70,000(?) fortunately it was still just under 3 years old and was fixed under warranty.

jonfev

Keith wrote: »

You could consider having a recon engine fitted, if the cambelt has snapped the camshaft collapses onto the valves, causing them to bend, repair is very expensive so it's worth considering a reconditioned engine

Sorry to be a boring old pedant but what actually happens is the camshaft stops turning which in turn forces some of the valves to be held open. The pistons then crash into them at very high speed, causing the valves to bend or break. I guess that is sort of what you meant but I thought I'd bring some clarity to the debate.

The good news is that some mainstream cars with overhead cams (the fiesta in question was overhead valve) now have chains instead of cambelts including my Mk3 Mondeo. So whilst it is not something to forget about, a camchain gives you piece of mind because it needs far less attention and lasts a lot longer than a belt.

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers!

Depends if the engine in the clio is an interference type or not. Valves might be fine.

Keith

jonfev wrote: »

Sorry to be a boring old pedant but what actually happens is the camshaft stops turning which in turn forces some of the valves to be held open. The pistons then crash into them at very high speed, causing the valves to bend or break. I guess that is sort of what you meant but I thought I'd bring some clarity to the debate.

Thanks for that. I was trying to explain it as it was once explained to me many moons ago. I've never explored the insides of an engine, but I've just removed one from my car and might open it up and see how it all works.

I can now picture mentally how it happens.

tomstickland

The old 1.0 and 1.1 Engines are the "Kent" engine with pushrod valves. Cam sits low down in the engine. Chain operated.

kayleighb_2

Thank you all for helping.Sooo last night after ringing round a few friends & them asking thier friends/families someone has come to my rescue or so I think!they have said that they have found a scrap yard with an engine for my car for £150 but the guy at the scrap yard has said that he will sell just the cylinder head for £95, then he's said I need some bolts which are £11, a head gasket which is £12 & a new cam belt which is £23 so all in all comeing to a total of £142ish & then theres labour on top of that which he said he wont charge much for so I think im looking in the region of £200 for it repairing which I really dont mind paying however, as I am not a mechanic & do not have a clue about cars I just want to no if this will work because i dont want to pay £200 & then it doesnt work but he says its not his fault or something like so im stuck in the same situation but £200 poorer!!Also he said there are 2 cylinder heads at the scrap yard,ones from a none starter & one missfires or something like that & he said that this could be a number of faults why & when its put into my car it is more than likely that it wont miss fire?is this true?!
please help again!!
kayleigh
x

iolanthe07

Honestly Kayleigh I think you might just be throwing good money after bad. Renaults in general and Clios in particular are getting a bad reputation for reliability and longevity. You might be best getting another car - Japanese makes are amongst the best for reliability, though even with them you do get the odd lemon, so have an engineer look over your next car before you commit to it. Best of luck.

jonfev

iolanthe07 wrote: »

Honestly Kayleigh I think you might just be throwing good money after bad. Renaults in general and Clios in particular are getting a bad reputation for reliability and longevity. You might be best getting another car - Japanese makes are amongst the best for reliability, though even with them you do get the odd lemon, so have an engineer look over your next car before you commit to it. Best of luck.

Hmm how many times do we see posts like this. Pick any car make at random, post something about it on the forum and at some point somebody usually comes up with a comment to the effect that that make is rubbish. The reality is it's all relative these days. Modern day cars are painfully reliable and yes some makes such as french and italian cars do less well in reliabilty surveys but the average owner is unlikely to be let down in day to day use. I've owned two Clios and they've been absolutely fine. Spares are a bit pricey but there are specialists who offer good quality cheap alternatives.

The great thing is that this misconception means second values are affected and so there are some tremendous bargains out there.