Clio timing belt failure - any advice?

e_numbers

Can anyone offer any advice please?

My Clio broke down on Saturday and the AA towed it to a garage (the Renault dealer that services my car) as they suspected the timing/cambelt had failed.

I spoke to the workshop controller at the garage this morning and he said that if the cambelt had failed Renault would be responsible for the repair as it's supposed to last at least 72,000 miles and my car has only done 24,000.

I have now had a call from the garage and they are saying that the alternator belt frayed and that caused the cambelt to snap. As a gesture of goodwill they will contribute 66% of the cost to fix the car which means I would only have to pay £971!

My car is 3.5 years old, has a full Renault service history and the dealer themself told me that the alternator belt should last at least 5 years.

Can anyone confirm or perhaps point me in the direction of where I can find information on how long an alternator belt should last? And if indeed this could be the cause of the cambelt failing as the AA man had noticed the altenator belt had started to fray but said it wasn't to do with the breakdown?

I'm so upset that such a new car that has been fully maintained to Renault specification and done such low mileage can suffer such a huge failure.

scatz

Sorry I can't help with your query but I also own a Renault and am a member of a Renault Forum which I find very useful indeed. There are a lot of people on there with very good knowledge.

Use this link (the referral doesn't get me anything apart from maybe a bit of respect by the way);

http://www.renaultforums.co.uk?referrer=5341

You can join the forum for a price to access certain areas but this is in no way required if all you want to do is read threads and post your own. The subscription is for having avatars etc.

MFewings

We have a Renault Scenic and the cam belt went on that just before Xmas. It had done just 60,000 miles and like yourself we went with the Renault guideline of 72,000 miles which is why we hadnt replaced it.

However when reading the Haynes Workshop Manual to undertake the replacement and fit new Valves etc they reccomend that it is done after 4 years or 36,000 miles whichever is sooner. As the wear on the cam belt can be affected by the what the car is driven. i.e. lots of stop start short trips wear it more.

Again your car is outside this as its under 4 years and done less than 36,000 miles so definatley worth checking out with Renault why it happened.

The cost your quoted does seem a bit high for just a percentage as we were quoted by garages in the region of £1000 in total.

mattymoo

Did the AA engineer put anything in writing?
Is it worth paying an AA engineer to do a thorough examination as to cause of failure? Sounds like Renault is trying to pin blame on the alternator belt in order to reduce their contribution.

Had a Vauxhall Astra 10 yrs ago that broke its cambelt at 50k. Should have lasted to 72000. Vauxhall paid up 95% of repair cost and hire car cost iirc.

northern_munky

I can't see how the alternator belt fraying would cause the cambelt to snap. I'm not well up on Clios but the cambelt is protected in it's own cover and the alternator belt is on the outside of this, even if it snapped I don't see how it could affect the cambelt? Has the alternator belt snapped also or is it just frayed?

I think I'd write to Renault customer services and take it further.

flang

I dont understand how the autonator belt will affect the timing belt either!
Somthing doesnt sound right!!!
I suggest you speak to the garage and get them to show you.

Alias_Omega

The car is clearly out of warranty and therefore renault will wash there hands of this fault. You can ring Renault Uk etc, but they will either fob you off, or give you £300 in vouchers.

If the cambelt snapped, then your looking at the chances that the valves have hit the pistons, worst case its a new engine, even better if it needs a 2nd hand head.

You have not said what spec the car was, ie.. 1.2 8v, 1.2 16v. 1.4. 1.6...etc.

I own the Clio 182 (2.0 16v thing) and ive owned it since dec 2004. Its a nightmare, renault charge about £60 per hour for labour, when this is stupid.

This is what i would do..........

1. Ring the garage and ask them what state the car is in. (Whats fitted, not fitted etc).
2. Ring around local garages / mechanics asking for a price to replace the engine / head. Fitting new gaskets and changing the parts over, fitting new cambelt & aux belt.
3. Contact Renault Uk about this, you will be told tough luck.
4. Make your call on this, you can purchase a 2nd hand engine for about £300, fit a new clutch whilst its out, change the cambelt and aux belt and prob have it fitted for about £200 in a few hours.

I dont have all the answers, but if you want specialist advice, come onto this forum, post up your query, and tell them where you are in the country.

http://www.cliosport.net

then click on the forum bit. its a clio just for all ages and models of clio's.

good luck alias..

NIGLE_3

I Have Experienced First Hand A Fanbelt Frayed And Wrapped Arround Behind The Crank Pulley Causing The Timing Belt Failure.so I Beleive What You Are Been Told By The Garage .

Iamthesmartestmanalive

Id push for a near 100% contribution if the car is fully serviced