Cambelt - change it or risk it?

motorguy

worried_jim wrote: »

The paranoia knowing it could go at anytime would drive me insane. I'd pay to get it done so I could sleep at night. Big Bang at rush hour on that junction blocking all the traffic, a thousand pairs of eyes giving you the evils as they crawl past, well worth £250 not to experience this.

.... and then the time, money and hassle of getting the car recovered from wherever it gave up.

But each to their own.

motorguy

Fireflyaway wrote: »

Thanks everyone for your input.
In response to some question if this helps clarify things. I had the car serviced to ensure its safe as possible for winter. Mechanic said can belt would cost in the region of £250 and my guess is the car is probably worth about the same, maybe a bit less even.
I'm hoping to have saved enough by February to buy a new car.
If worse happens, my work is within walking distance so could get by for a while without major issues. Husband commutes and daughter is collected for school. Can do online shopping. Would be a bit of a pain but not a disaster.

Dont underestimate what the cars worth. 2005 Astras with MOT and around 120,000 miles are up for around £800

https://www.gumtree.com/search?search_category=cars&q=2005+vauxhall+astra&tq=%7B%22i%22%3A%222005+vauxhall+astra%22%2C%22s%22%3A%222005+vauxhall+astra%22%2C%22p%22%3A2%2C%22t%22%3A14%7D&search_location=

motorguy

sevenhills wrote: »

My car(2006) has 11 months test remaining, I would snap your hand off at £300, it does need a timing belt though.

Whats the make, model and miles?

motorguy

AdrianC wrote: »

Sod's law says that if the belt's going to fail, it'll do so at the most inconvenient time possible.

There are 140-odd 2004 Astras on Autotrader. Most of them are in the £500-1,500 price range.
Let's assume yours'll sell in six months for a grand, with the belt done.
The belt costs £250 to change. Without the belt done, you'll probably get £700, because anybody buying it will deduct the cost of doing it plus a bit more for ballache.
If the belt lets go, you'll get scrap value - £100.

Seems to me to be a no-brainer to do it.

I'm wholly with Adrian on this.

chib

If it were me I'd pay the £250 and use the car a little longer, especially if it has been recently serviced.

Could it break? Of course...

andrewmp

motorguy wrote: »

.... and then the time, money and hassle of getting the car recovered from wherever it gave up.

But each to their own.

I'd make sure I had breakdown cover like. :j

motorguy

andrewmp wrote: »

I'd make sure I had breakdown cover like. :j

Fair point

facade

It's a vauxhall.
Vauxhall can't make a reliable timing drive to save their collective lives, belt or chain.

Change the belt and tensioners quick.

On a Vauxhall, the water pump letting go is the least of your worries. I've had the alloy tensioner body disintegrate at less than 20,000 miles old

sevenhills

motorguy wrote: »

Whats the make, model and miles?

Its a renault Megane, it needs a timing belt and dephaser pully; I have been quoted £500-£800
I am still looking for cheaper quotes, or I may do it myself.

Fireflyaway

I've got breakdown cover. I will only be travelling around 15 miles a day. I'm tempted to risk it for the short time. I'm pretty sure I wouldn't get an extra £250 for the car because it has a new belt. It needs tryes too..... I will do them for safety / case I get pulled over but tyres and cam belt seems a lot of expense.