How easy is it to tell if a wet belt has been replaced?

[robgoals]

Hello,

I've bought a car with no service history. Obviously not recommended but it's too late now.
It's a 2019 Citroen Picasso with the 1.2 Pure tech engine. Would it be obvious to someone experienced if the wet belt has been changed in the last year or so or if it's been on since new? Cars done 75000 miles.
The belt looks fine to me, not frayed or cracked but it's the first time I've ever looked at one so not a great guide. I'd like to avoid getting it replaced if it's not needed.
Id be grateful for any thoughts. Cheers.

[Mad Maximus]

It isn’t easy really without paperwork. You can drive it and see if it lasts otherwise work out how much it’ll cost to replace and see if it’s worth it to you.

[J4CKO]

A mechanic who knows them could likely tell as there should be some evidence of work having been done on bolt heads and possibly other tell tales only they could spot based on experience, but I would assume at 7k and 6/7 years old that its likely not been done. I guess its an expensive job, our Fiesta was £1200 and people dont spend that if they can avoid it. My missus didnt want to spend it so gave it to our son on the proviso he had it done, then spent 27 times that on her new car, not sure how that is better than spending £1200

[greenarrow]

J4CKO said:

A mechanic who knows them could likely tell as there should be some evidence of work having been done on bolt heads and possibly other tell tales only they could spot based on experience, but I would assume at 7k and 6/7 years old that its likely not been done. I guess its an expensive job, our Fiesta was £1200 and people dont spend that if they can avoid it. My missus didnt want to spend it so gave it to our son on the proviso he had it done, then spent 27 times that on her new car, not sure how that is better than spending £1200

I think your son did well there!! £1,200 for an ecoboost engined car that should give good service for a few years provided the oil is changed on the dot and using the correct spec oil!! My mate bought his son a cheap one about a years ago which had just had the bet done and its been brilliant

[mac96]

J4CKO said:

A mechanic who knows them could likely tell as there should be some evidence of work having been done on bolt heads and possibly other tell tales only they could spot based on experience, but I would assume at 7k and 6/7 years old that its likely not been done. I guess its an expensive job, our Fiesta was £1200 and people dont spend that if they can avoid it. My missus didnt want to spend it so gave it to our son on the proviso he had it done, then spent 27 times that on her new car, not sure how that is better than spending £1200

Nicer car I'll bet. Man maths is for women too!

[J4CKO]

greenarrow said:

J4CKO said:

A mechanic who knows them could likely tell as there should be some evidence of work having been done on bolt heads and possibly other tell tales only they could spot based on experience, but I would assume at 7k and 6/7 years old that its likely not been done. I guess its an expensive job, our Fiesta was £1200 and people dont spend that if they can avoid it. My missus didnt want to spend it so gave it to our son on the proviso he had it done, then spent 27 times that on her new car, not sure how that is better than spending £1200

I think your son did well there!! £1,200 for an ecoboost engined car that should give good service for a few years provided the oil is changed on the dot and using the correct spec oil!! My mate bought his son a cheap one about a years ago which had just had the bet done and its been brilliant

Yeah, we had it from a year old, was a bit too slow for her so we got it remapped, I changed the oil religiously once a year with the correct spec, it cost nothing to run. Did the front brakes for fifty quid, other than that, not a single thing went wrong and it was always great to drive.

I think the Ecoboost fear is real but people get so terrified and assume every one will fail, there are millions of them out there and they are breaking but buying a gutless non turbo one, nah not into that. Suppose as they get cheaper you get buyers who cant take the risk so it does get a bit blown out of proportion, and you get the weird situation of people paying a load more for the 1.2 version.

£1200 was about the going rate, that was at Wayne Connolly motors in Stockport, a pleasure to deal with. I think the price came down a bit as garages got more proficient at doing them, its a pretty involved job but for a competent mechanic who has done a few and knows the process can do it in a day, £250 or so in parts, oil, coolant etc, its good money for those who can rattle through one.

[MediumBuild]

Daughter's boyfriend is looking at his first car and seems set on a Fiesta or Focus - I know nothing about these engines but is any Ecoboost to be avoided unless it's had the work done? He's unlikely to have that sort of money lying around for a repair....

[CSR Performance]

In 1.0 flavour, absolutely yes!

[Rowe]

you've bought a car with no service history............ so the most sensible approach is to take that at face value and get the belt done in my opinion.

[ThingsBehindTheSun]

MediumBuild said:

Daughter's boyfriend is looking at his first car and seems set on a Fiesta or Focus - I know nothing about these engines but is any Ecoboost to be avoided unless it's had the work done? He's unlikely to have that sort of money lying around for a repair....

Personally I would avoid any car with a wetbelt.

Rowe said:

you've bought a car with no service history............ so the most sensible approach is to take that at face value and get the belt done in my opinion.

Exactly, what are the chances that the previous owner spent £1K having the wet belt replaced and then just threw all the paperwork in the bin? Or did they do the minimum maintenance required and then part exchange it?

Is it using any oil?

[Ian_SW]

I'd agree that most likely no service history means no belt change. However, service history does often get thrown away or lost when cars are traded in so it will probably have had at least some servicing during its life.

Unless the car has seen a main dealer or marque specialist for servicing after it was out of warranty, chances are the previous owner(s) won't even have realised the belt needed changing.

It is worth having a look under the bonnet for a sticker or other markings done by the garage which could indicate a belt has been changed though. The service kit used to replace the (normal) belt in my Octavia a few years back must have had a sticker in as the (independent) garage had stuck that on the plastic cover over the belt after I had the belt changed. An earlier car of my wife's had "Belt Changed" and a date written on the underside of the bonnet with a paint pen when she bought it.

If the rest of the car is in good condition, it is probably worth getting the belt done (and an oil change at the same time). The car is of the age when it has a fair amount of value left, but old enough (and out of warranty) to mean a failed belt would be the end of the car.

[vw_99]

Some engines you can see the wet belt through the oil filler cap.
Also if you check the make of the aux belt it might show that they have been replaced if wet belt was done

[itcaptainslow]

There s a tool for checking how swollen the timing belt is.

https://ebay.us/m/E6rm7L

However, if there s no history of a change, I would change it. PSA have altered the interval to six years, so your car is most definitely due if it’s not been done. You don’t need me to say that the belt breaking up can cause irreparable engine damage.

Make sure you use the correct standard (it ll say in your service book, from memory it s B2271) engine oil to avoid degradation of the belt.

[steveo3002]

you would think someone paying over £1000 on a repair job would keep the invoice AND reseller would be keen to acquire it and show as proof to the new owner

would not take a salesmen's word for it or scribbled in the book with a ebay stamp

[JimM169]

Probably a long shot but have you asked your local Citroen dealership if there's any service history for the vehicle?

Also if you can see the belt, is their any markings etc that could indicate if it was OEM or a replacement?

[robgoals]

Hi

Thanks so much or all the replies. Theres no service history as I bought it from Copart. I was trying to not have to admit this... It was a category N write off there's a long scratch down one side and a scuffed bumper. Not massively noticeable unless you're close.

There is the service book with stamps but no details of what's been done, not sure if that does actually count as service history, has been serviced regularly according to that. Last one was at 65k in the book about 18 months ago. I contacted the garages in that neither of which had done the belt.

There was a two month gap between previous keeper disposing - April 25 and current keeper start date July 25. Really clutching straws here but I'd wondered if that meant previous owner had sold to a dealer who had it a couple of months before selling. And that maybe a dealer would have done it before selling, all speculation and hope though.

The cars otherwise runs fine. Not using any oil in the 200 miles I've driven it.

[stevieturbo]

Mad Maximus said:

It isn t easy really without paperwork. You can drive it and see if it lasts otherwise work out how much it ll cost to replace and see if it s worth it to you.

Even with paperwork, unless it was actually verifiable with a garage you trusted...I'd still be sceptical.

But a car for sale around belt renewal time....previous owner probably offloaded to avoid the bill and risk.

[DaveF-SkinnysAutos]

Can’t really add much that hasn’t been said other than reiterating the fact that the belts swell as they absorb oil, and although I wouldnt want to bet my engine on it, the tool the previous poster put a link to on ebay is less than £3. If it fits over the belt easily its a better sign that the belts in a ok condition, if its a struggle to fit over the width then its a sign its swollen.

Really though, no paperwork, the default has to be that it wont have been done.

[robgoals]

DaveF-SkinnysAutos said:

Can t really add much that hasn t been said other than reiterating the fact that the belts swell as they absorb oil, and although I wouldnt want to bet my engine on it, the tool the previous poster put a link to on ebay is less than £3. If it fits over the belt easily its a better sign that the belts in a ok condition, if its a struggle to fit over the width then its a sign its swollen.

Really though, no paperwork, the default has to be that it wont have been done.

Yes thanks for that. I've ordered the tool see if it swings it either way. Will call for quotes for a change see what the cost is likely to be.

[A500leroy]

This is the fixed prices for most vauxhall stuff ( same engine note "from")

https://www.stellantisandyou.co.uk/vauxhall/servic...

This is a service on bay

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/116073288814

Edited by A500leroy on Tuesday 24th February 15:55