Cambelt's Gone - Garage Repair Dilemma

oldagetraveller1

angrycrow said:

oldagetraveller1 said:

peter12345678910 said:

I would also consider cause not just effect, have you been changing the oil and filter every year? If you have then it can happen again, especially if it is low miles, but cambelts need to be changed after 80,000 miles but this number will vary with different cars. 

I only buy cars which use chains. 

How would that affect a cambelt?

An engine with a timing chain, yes where regular oil and filter changes will prolong the life of said chain.

If its a pure tech 1.2 engine service regime is important as the cambelt on these runs in oil, like the mondeo 1.8 tdci engines. A lack of oil changes could feasibly result in the cambelt deteriorating earlier than the specified change interval. 

Thanks for answering my question. What an odd arrangement!

parking_question_chap

The speed of movement doesnt matter as much as the rpm when it comes to damage done. Might end up cheaper if they replace the whole engine.

foxy-stoat

Sizzlingsmith said:

We just have no idea of costs on this type of repair. 

Unfortunately nor will any garage, without opening up the engine.  Which engine do you have?

nottsphil

peter12345678910 said:

I only buy cars which use chains. 

I'm in the market for an older, high mileage car and I'm now wondering if I should do the same! But how would I find out which models use chain?
No.1 target is a Fiat Panda Eco Active. 

knightstyle

Even engines with chains can have catastrophic failures if not maintained properly. Chains have tensioners, some need regular adjusting.

Homer_home

nick74 said:

It would be helpful to know what exact engine the OP's car has? ISTR that some PSA HDi engines for example were designed so that if the cambelt broke then basically all of the rocker arms would snap off, but often there would be no other engine damage.

I asked the very same question on page 1 and I'm still waiting for an answer.....

Ditzy_Mitzy

nottsphil said:

peter12345678910 said:

I only buy cars which use chains. 

I'm in the market for an older, high mileage car and I'm now wondering if I should do the same! But how would I find out which models use chain?
No.1 target is a Fiat Panda Eco Active. 

Oh no, don't buy a Fiat; especially not an old, high mileage Fiat.  

nottsphil

Ditzy_Mitzy said:

nottsphil said:

peter12345678910 said:

I only buy cars which use chains. 

I'm in the market for an older, high mileage car and I'm now wondering if I should do the same! But how would I find out which models use chain?
No.1 target is a Fiat Panda Eco Active. 

Oh no, don't buy a Fiat; especially not an old, high mileage Fiat.  

If they are expensive to fix, then the model of Panda I'm after wouldn't be in group 1 out of 50 insurance categories. However, I've just seen an ad for one which said it had a clutch and cambelt change which cost £700!
If it's the Multijet diesel engine you've had a bad experience with,  I'm avoiding those. 

angrycrow

Fiat's arnt bad to drive but they are dreadful to work on. Poor materials quality is the main culprit. Worked on loads of cars over the years and never sheared fastenings, even one car with 50 year old fastenings. The one exception was the fiat punto I owned. Almost every fastening failed on disassembly. During my 2 year ownership it needed, sump replacement, head gasket then an engine swap, full brake rebuild both ends, new clutch, new starter, new wish bones, welding. All this on a car with only 50k on it when I moved it on after 2 years of ownership. At least the parts were cheap, total bill for all that work was under £750 even with the engine. 

In my case Fiat stood for fix it again tomorrow.