Finally getting cambelt done 2 years overdue

mikeandrach_2

I have a puegeot 407sw 2.2hdi, bought it brand new on a 56 plate, has done 153k and only been serviced on 20k and 40k, sailed through every mot and still on original everything except brake pads and tyres. does about 35mpg on average (on a good motorway cruise nearer 50), sounds and feels like brand new though

ILW

Had one go on a Sierra once. No damage and AA man fitted a new one at the side of the road.

mikeandrach_2

it was probably a fan belt then not a cam belt

ILW

mikeandrach wrote: »

it was probably a fan belt then not a cam belt

Nope
Def cam belt.

Weird_Nev

Non interference and "fixeable with hammers" era of engine.

[Deleted User]

When the cam belt went on my Montego, I fixed it with a few spanners, a 6mm drill, a Torque Wrench and a 1/2" to 3/8" adapter.

Maestro.

Norman_Castle wrote: »

I had a Citroen with a 1.9 diesel engine. Only 80,000 miles but 16 years on the original cam belt. Citroen advise changing at 12 years. The car was bought for the engine which would be fitted with an oversized turbo and used for racing.

I hope it wasn't a BX you bought. Be a shame to buy one of those just to take the engine.

portly1

TrickyWicky wrote: »

Rubbish. My cambelt was COVERED in little tiny cracks before I changed it. It was only 10k overdue too (though that was combined with 5 years over the 5 year change). Even so it doesn't mean one little crack will kill it. Thats motorists paranoia. If you looked at mine with a magnifying glass you could see quite deeply into some of the cracks but it would still go with no hassle. I eventually decided enough was enough when the tensioner started screaming.

Mind you, most engines aren't as reliable as Volvos (including golfs) I knew a bloke once with the same car who had 180k on the clock and had it from 3 years old. When I asked him about his cambelt he'd never heard of it yet alone got it replaced

I run a 2012 Freelander 2 HSE and from what I am told the belt is changed every 150,000 miles or 15 years!!!!

Steve059

londonTiger wrote: »

changed everything, no point in just changing belt because labour is probably the same regardless of whether you just change the belt or the full works.

These days, the tensioner and idler pulleys are made out of plastic. Whilst this causes less wear to the belts, the plastic gets brittle with age and heat. The results of one failing is every bit as potentially catastrophic as the belt breaking.

Also, if the job involves removing the water pump, it's a good idea to refit a new one. The increased tension from a new belt can cause the worn old pump bearings to fail. It only adds the cost of the pump to the bill.