Car dealer cambelt "inspection". Would you be reassured?
Poll: Car dealer cambelt "inspection". Would you be reassured?
Total Members Polled: 69
Discussion
I'm looking at a car (Disco4 FWIW) at a small car supermarket type dealer. The service history looks nice and regular, main dealer until 2016 then independents but only one actual receipt from 2018. It was due a change at 7 years old, so 2019ish. And has stamps for two receipt-free services since then. The car is on 90k.
As part of their checks the dealer has done a mechanical inspection and had a look at the cambelt. Their policy is to leave it if it looks ok, although precisely what that means is unclear. They then warranty the cambelt for 2 years/30k. I haven't seen the warranty wording.
The price is pretty reasonable, and they've already said there's no negotiation on it. So I'm assuming this is their way of stopping my "needs a new cambelt let's talk money" plan in its tracks.
I'll see if I can get any more info the garage that's stamped the book, but how reassured would you be by an inspection??
As part of their checks the dealer has done a mechanical inspection and had a look at the cambelt. Their policy is to leave it if it looks ok, although precisely what that means is unclear. They then warranty the cambelt for 2 years/30k. I haven't seen the warranty wording.
The price is pretty reasonable, and they've already said there's no negotiation on it. So I'm assuming this is their way of stopping my "needs a new cambelt let's talk money" plan in its tracks.
I'll see if I can get any more info the garage that's stamped the book, but how reassured would you be by an inspection??
To be fair, if they're happy to warranty it for 18months I'd reckon they're pretty confident in their own appraisal.
You'd have to be very, very unlucky to have any issues related directly to the cam belt, especially on a disco?!
At the end of the day if its going to keep sitting in the back of your mind post purchase, probably worth negotiating a change/ discount or looking elsewhere for your own peace of mind?
You'd have to be very, very unlucky to have any issues related directly to the cam belt, especially on a disco?!
At the end of the day if its going to keep sitting in the back of your mind post purchase, probably worth negotiating a change/ discount or looking elsewhere for your own peace of mind?
Interesting fact the owner of an Indie garage told me is that come winter and lower temperatures then ageing cambelts can't take the strain any longer and snap.
90k is well past what I would be happy with and even the best warranty isn't going to cover the stress of being stranded with a dead engine in some god-forsaken place.
90k is well past what I would be happy with and even the best warranty isn't going to cover the stress of being stranded with a dead engine in some god-forsaken place.
LordHaveMurci said:
valiant said:
They warranty the cam belt and when it snaps they’ll happily pay for a new cam belt. Payout of £20 against a destroyed engine.
Check the wording (it may be properly covered) or budget for a replacement yourself.
This, absolutely this. Check the wording (it may be properly covered) or budget for a replacement yourself.
I think when it comes to cambelts, the options are
1) have solid documentary evidence it's been changed sufficiently recently to still be within manufacturer interval
2) change it ASAP
3) buy a car that doesn't use a cambelt
anything else is asking for trouble on an interference engine - the cost of getting it wrong is too high to gamble with.
1) have solid documentary evidence it's been changed sufficiently recently to still be within manufacturer interval
2) change it ASAP
3) buy a car that doesn't use a cambelt
anything else is asking for trouble on an interference engine - the cost of getting it wrong is too high to gamble with.
steveo3002 said:
they all look ok until they snap
Yup! Mind you, the Cambelt God is a cruel and fickle sod.
I've had a cambelt let go within date / distance recommendations.. which was a hefty kick in the knackers.
But as soon as I'm no longer invested in a car, it owes me nothing and I keep it on the fleet as a shed I then play cambelt Russian roulette and ignore the guidance.
At this point the Cambelt God smiles down upon me and even 10 years later ensures it will outlast anything else on the bloody car!
Edited by The spinner of plates on Sunday 25th September 12:37
I might actually make a video of this for people on here to see I have never made a video before !
In my workshop I have two timing belts hung up for a 2003 1.9 Berlingo
One has done 80 K on the van
One is brand new and never been on an engine
To look at them they both look the same but it is not until you take the used one in your hand and you actually bend the belt beyond its normal run route , It is then that you see hundreds of little cracks all the way around the belt . these are the cracks that give out at 3 oclock on the morning on a smart motorway.
So in my experience it is impossible to judge the belt on the vehicle
In my workshop I have two timing belts hung up for a 2003 1.9 Berlingo
One has done 80 K on the van
One is brand new and never been on an engine
To look at them they both look the same but it is not until you take the used one in your hand and you actually bend the belt beyond its normal run route , It is then that you see hundreds of little cracks all the way around the belt . these are the cracks that give out at 3 oclock on the morning on a smart motorway.
So in my experience it is impossible to judge the belt on the vehicle
No way can anyone remove the cover and say yes that belt is okay. To do that yourd have to remove the belt completely and carefully inspect it for cracks between the teeth when bending it, obviously pointless as you may as well then sling a new belt on anyway.
I'll never understand anyone e taking a chance on belts.
For the price of a belt kit with pump and a few hours labour it'll give peace of mind. Otherwise, every journey taken will be a gamble on whether the thing gets you there and back , its really not worth the worry..
I'll never understand anyone e taking a chance on belts.
For the price of a belt kit with pump and a few hours labour it'll give peace of mind. Otherwise, every journey taken will be a gamble on whether the thing gets you there and back , its really not worth the worry..
Bobupndown said:
7 years or 105k miles is the interval on these. Should have already been done. There is an additional belt which drives the fuel pump in the same area at the back of the engine which should be done as well but often isn't.
My local indy does them without removing the body, but if it has the rear climate they can't get to the auxiliary belt.Forums | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff