Cambelt question

[Leveret]

What I don't understand is why you'd change a tensioner without replacing the belt? - you're either an idiot or you're not being entirely truthful.

(If you believe it's not worth doing - have a look at the number of cars being sold with snapped belts out there)

[/quote]

I am not an idiot [many years ago I was a MENSA member] and I am being truthful. The two reasons I did not replace the belt were 1. the belt looked perfectly OK, and 2. I had neither the tools nor capability to do it. Changing the pulley merely involved removing the top plastic belt cover and unbolting it - if I remember rightly - whereas changing the belt meant removing an auxiliary ribbed drive belt and lots of other things to get it off the crank pulley.

I am fairly new to this site and it is a little disconcerting to see an assertion that I am either stupid or being economical with the truth so soon. I suppose it's too much to expect an apology.

Also, I have never seen a car for sale with a snapped cambelt.

[jagracer]

Leveret said:

I am fairly new to this site and it is a little disconcerting to see an assertion that I am either stupid or being economical with the truth so soon. I suppose it's too much to expect an apology.

Also, I have never seen a car for sale with a snapped cambelt.

This is Piston Heads where insults are the rule rather than the exception. It's not a very friendly place any more.

[Dangerous Dan]

Dracoro said:

£380 for belt and service seems a good price, many cars need a fair amount of labour for a belt change (Audi I'm looking at you!!)

+1

I think most Renault cam belts are every 5 years or every 72,000 miles, whichever is sooner. Or at least it is on my 04 Megane.

Personally, I'd get it done. Moreso because the car has done so few miles. How is the rest of the car mechanically?

[dufusmuppet]

Leveret you will find out that you are not allowed your say on here without being branded either a idiot or a troll,as said this place has really become a waste of time.

My wifes saxo is a 1997 and since we have owned it from nearly new it has yet to have a cambelt change.

(waits for someone to say im telling lies)

Edited by dufusmuppet on Saturday 26th February 20:45

Edited by dufusmuppet on Saturday 26th February 20:46

[interloper]

Leveret said:

Ah...such caution! Cambelts are not made of rubber. They are amazingly strong and unstretchable, and designed to last far longer than the recommended change interval.

You know what? There is probably some truth to that, most failed belts are the result of a tensioner giving up or a water pump seizing. I'm a bit too paranoid to take that kind of risk, besides I tend to change the tensioners and the pump at the same time, so effectively I change the potential trouble items.

Maybe you need to think of it as changing the dodgy items the belt runs around, rather than a belt change? But you might as well change the belt as well cause its cheap comparatively.

[Gavin Smith]

Hi,
Prevention is better than cure, get the cambelt changed, piece of mind and the quote seems reasonable. I was quoted near to £500 by Skoda to have mine changed.

[Slashmb]

Dangerous Dan said:

Dracoro said:

£380 for belt and service seems a good price, many cars need a fair amount of labour for a belt change (Audi I'm looking at you!!)

+1

I think most Renault cam belts are every 5 years or every 72,000 miles, whichever is sooner. Or at least it is on my 04 Megane.

Personally, I'd get it done. Moreso because the car has done so few miles. How is the rest of the car mechanically?

It's all fine AFAIK otherwise she would have asked me what to do about it if anything had gone wrong. I'm inclined to leave the belt for the time being and maybe tell her to get it done next year. It is a bad time for her as their house needs a new roof but thats a different thread really.


In 14 years driving I've never had a cambelt done when the manufacturers say so. I am of the understanding that our current car has a chain and so doesn't need changing.

[Dangerous Dan]

What about oil changes/filter changes?

Even though it has done so few miles, I'd still get the oil changed yearly and the filter changed every other year (at most).

It's up to you if you want to risk it. Renault's aren't known for being robust.