Cambelt - Age related replacement

[dhutch]

Ive checked a number of sources and not found a real answer.

Ive recently bought a v-reg 306 (1.8l 18v peugoet xu engine) which has 32k on the clock.
- I presume it still has its origanal belt, or alteast, have no knowlage/proof of its being changed.

The issue is that although its only done 32k (60k change interval) its now eight years old, and at the same age my prevous 306 (1.6l tu) was on its second belt (and had done 150k).

So yeah, basicaly, do i need to change it anyway, on grounds of age. No mention in the haynes or on the pug forums.


Daniel

[dhutch]

Yeah, im certainly aware thats it better safe than sorry with modern cambelts.
- If a car averaged 10k a year, then the average age will be 6 i guess for a 60k interval.

But yeah, if i got it done i would make sure it was a decent belt.
- Last time it was a gates belt kit (inc idlers) with waterpump done with.
- Dont know if the idlers need doing again, but i wont both doing the pump.

Last car was on its second belt as i say, so that waterpump was proberbly due.

Only pisser really is just that ive only just forked out £220 for a belt change. Ah well, hopfully i wont write of this one 500 miles later.


Daniel

[dhutch]

eltax91 said:

So you've specifically been on the pug 306 forums to look? pug306.net has a topic on this question almost every day!

If you are anywhere near leeds, then "J.A.C Mech" is renowned for being excellent with pugs and is reasonable for a cambelt/ tensioner change. He is the brother of "Mr Whippy" (Dave) on here so if you are struggling, PM Dave.

Yeah i had a good look.
- I found a hell of a lot of "should i get my belt done yet" threads and a pelethera of information about milage intervals. But no metion of age even once.

Leeds is a bit north (im in south cheshire or staffordshire) but i'll drop him a line and see if he recomends anywhere or can tie in with my going to blackburn/burnley some time.
- Do you know if thats thats the same MrWippy whos posts on locost builders?



Daniel

[dhutch]

Beefmeister said:

Nope, he says, the garage said the belts looked okay so didn't change them

Maddness isnt it.
- Tbh, the whole 'if the rubber band breaks, your car is a write off' thing scarys me shhh. itless.
- I know belts are bloody good these days, and chains are noisier and wear too. But still, scary thoughts.

But yeah, thanks anyway guys.

Sounds like the general consensuss is to get a new belt on there, and i guess i might as well get the idles done in with too. But not the water pump?
- Theres nothing wrong with gates eather is there? Not really for the saving, but because thats what the garage seams to do (dont really have the time/inclination to do it myself) and gates are OEM's for enough stuff anyway. All our belts and hydrulic hoses here (JCB) are gates anyway.


Daniel

[dhutch]

£300 quid! I only paid £1800 for that car. Gahh, what a mess.

I hadnt even thought about the belt being old when i bought the car, although i still dont think i was a bad price, for what is otherwise as far as i know a dam sound car.
- Just such a pisser than i ended up loosing the other car a week after i'd done its belt.


Daniel