Cambelt - Age related replacement
Discussion
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
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
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
- 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
VAG (All) now recommend four years or 60k which ever is sooner.
Volvo (most) 96k or ten years.
Honda (Civic) is about five years or 72k if memory serves correctly.
Not sure every model applies for each manufacturer but just a guide.
As others have said get it changed, depending on the garage that changes it, prices could be £80 to £200. Much less then valves bouncing around.
Volvo (most) 96k or ten years.
Honda (Civic) is about five years or 72k if memory serves correctly.
Not sure every model applies for each manufacturer but just a guide.
As others have said get it changed, depending on the garage that changes it, prices could be £80 to £200. Much less then valves bouncing around.
dhutch said:
No mention in the haynes or on the pug forums.
Daniel
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.Daniel
Guy I work with has a 3 year old Golf with 120k on it and he asked me (I've had loads of (not so great) cars) if he should replace the cambelt as he hadn't had it done yet.
Using small, well placed words, I told him to get his coat, get his car and go to a VW specialist. Right. Now.
VAG say 4 years/60k, although I think they are saying 80k these days, but I don't go much above 60k between belt changes.
Using small, well placed words, I told him to get his coat, get his car and go to a VW specialist. Right. Now.
VAG say 4 years/60k, although I think they are saying 80k these days, but I don't go much above 60k between belt changes.
bigdods said:
Vauxhall are 40k between changes (it was 60k IIRC but they quietly changed it to 40k after a lt of failures). I certainly wouldnt be happy driving around an 8 year old car on its original belt as they do deteriorate and if it goes the engine usually lunches itself.
My 1.8 Vauxhall was changed just months before I bought it 2 years ago. Just had the luck of the god's on my side when I happened to mention to my techie that the car was making a very unusual noise but running fine. Took him a few weeks to slot my car into his schedule but many more days and my engine would have been history! So much for even 4 year change's, this one would not even have made 3 years, and only around 17K.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.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.
- 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
I went to see an MGTF a few weeks ago, and the guy had had the Head Gasket replaced on his 45k mile VVC car a few months previously as a precaution.
He proudly showed me the receipt for it, and i noticed that there weren't any belts on the parts list, so asked if they changed the cambelts (2 on a VVC) at the same time. (k-series bolts from head to sump, so to change the HG you have to take the belts off anyway).
Nope, he says, the garage said the belts looked okay so didn't change them
I mean seriously, for the sake of £20 - thats frikking ridiculous!!
i told him that he should take it back and demand that they fit new belts for free - they put the old belts back on ffs!!!
ANyway, thought i'd share my rant with you all...
He proudly showed me the receipt for it, and i noticed that there weren't any belts on the parts list, so asked if they changed the cambelts (2 on a VVC) at the same time. (k-series bolts from head to sump, so to change the HG you have to take the belts off anyway).
Nope, he says, the garage said the belts looked okay so didn't change them
I mean seriously, for the sake of £20 - thats frikking ridiculous!!
i told him that he should take it back and demand that they fit new belts for free - they put the old belts back on ffs!!!
ANyway, thought i'd share my rant with you all...
Alfa 156 engines had their belt change interval reduced from 5 years and 72,000 miles to 3 years and 36,000 
I change them on my cars every couple of years just to be safe. I'm not sure, but I always think older engines with more than 50k on them might be out of tolerance in places and put more wear on parts, so I always play safe.
I change them on my cars every couple of years just to be safe. I'm not sure, but I always think older engines with more than 50k on them might be out of tolerance in places and put more wear on parts, so I always play safe.
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
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