Cam Belt on Used Car Just bought

sevenhills

AdrianC wrote: »

But - at 14yo - way outside on time. Get it changed.

k6chris wrote: »

Just get it changed. £300 or something like that, peace of mind and reliability of car for another 70,000 miles.

Its 50/50 whether its been done, but on a car so old, is it worth spending £300 on something which maybe does not need doing?

AdrianC

That depends entirely on your attitude towards basic maintenance. If you're "soddit, it's ancient, throw it away when the ashtray's full", then - no. But, on a purely financial level, so long as you'd pay £300+ for a replacement car... then - yes, of course, why wouldn't you?

sevenhills

AdrianC wrote: »

That depends entirely on your attitude towards basic maintenance. If you're "soddit, it's ancient, throw it away when the ashtray's full", then - no. But, on a purely financial level, so long as you'd pay £300+ for a replacement car... then - yes, of course, why wouldn't you?

More about economics. The OP hasnt stated the make and model of the car.
If it a 15 year old Ford Focus worth £350, then spending £300 is not sensible, but if it is a 15 year old Audi worth £1000 it is worth a £300 repair.

parking_question_chap

First problem sounds like the starter motor.

F1F93

sevenhills wrote: »

More about economics. The OP hasnt stated the make and model of the car.
If it a 15 year old Ford Focus worth £350, then spending £300 is not sensible, but if it is a 15 year old Audi worth £1000 it is worth a £300 repair.

Erm, if you're quoting economics, surely you can see that, if you have a £350 car you'll be £50 better off changing the cambelt than buying a similar car (which may or may not have had the cambelt done, potentially leaving you in the same position in a week's time?)

OP, get them to fix the misfire/starting issues, then change the cambelt (as noted, not the other way around just in case they struggle to fix it and you reject it)

sevenhills

F1F93 wrote: »

Erm, if you're quoting economics, surely you can see that, if you have a £350 car you'll be £50 better off changing the cambelt than buying a similar car (which may or may not have had the cambelt done, potentially leaving you in the same position in a week's time?)

But the belt may well have been changed, since it was due 14 years ago.

AdrianC

sevenhills wrote: »

But the belt may well have been changed, since it was due 14 years ago.

No, it wasn't due 14 years ago. The car was new 14yrs ago. It may be a 10yr interval - in which case, it was due 4yrs ago.

Maybe the belt was changed, but the tensioners and water pump weren't. Do you feel lucky?

thacky

Yes of course. My 14 yr old diesel Astra, done 152,000 miles, has just had a new cam kit when I realised it was 10 years since it was done previously. Wasn't due on mileage but as I now do only a few thousand a year it would have been a few more years going on mileage alone. Full service MOT and cam kit cost me £430. Is my car worth that much? it is to me!

arcon5

F1F93 wrote: »

Erm, if you're quoting economics, surely you can see that, if you have a £350 car you'll be £50 better off changing the cambelt than buying a similar car (which may or may not have had the cambelt done, potentially leaving you in the same position in a week's time?)

OP, get them to fix the misfire/starting issues, then change the cambelt (as noted, not the other way around just in case they struggle to fix it and you reject it)

Erm, even a !!!!ed banger has scrap value. Most cars, even smaller cars like a KA will fetch about £140 scrap.