Confusing cam belt change intervals...

[mattyfez]

Bit of a strange one, I have a 14 year old micra (1.2 petrol) that I inherited from my nan, that I now use as a daily drive as its super cheap to run.
It only has about 30k miles on the clock.

Given its age I was thinking about the timing belt, even though it's very low millage for its age - but the service shedule in the owners manual only says 'inspect every 2 years and replace if nessesary' - it doesn't seem to have a a fixed replacement schedule.

It's had 11 services in its 14 years, all at the same indie garage, but just basic oil & filter services, from what I can tell, so I have to assume they didn't really pay any attention to the timing belt?

What to do?

 

[mattyfez]

As it will probably cost more than the car is worth at this point, I'd advise a new car instead.

lol, Nah, I know its history.. my nan owned it from brand new and it spent most of its life in her garage... it's basically in brand new condition, it had a new battery before she died and 4 new tyres too - the tyres were only replaced due to age, rather than wear

At a guess it's probably worth about 2 grand, what's a timing belt/pump change on one of those? less than £500 I'd guess....

It's far more economical for me to maintain it, rather than spending thousands on a newer car that would cost more to buy and run..and despite being a boring car it suits my needs perfectly, I don't need anything bigger or faster etc.

 

[mattyfez]

You know the car, it's history and condition. Well worth keeping in that case unless it has something major go wrong.

Also quick search shows it may have a timing chain that can last the life of the engine.

Ahh thanks - that might explain the vague suggestions in the owners manual... I didn't think timing chains were a 'thing' on these.

I guess I'll need to figure out for sure if its a chain - if it's a rubber belt, I'll have it changed I think.

 

[mattyfez]

Read some more and so far K12/13 petrol engines all have timing chains. Strengthened on later engines. Misfire may show stretched chain but very unlikely on your low mileage Micra.

Only the diesel engine had a timing belt.

My sis was asking about a starter car for my niece recently and I may have to move the Micra up the list knowing it's likely got a low maintenance timing chain. Worst design is the the wet timing belts on 1.0 Fords.

it's a stuninngly unfasionable and uninspiring car, to be fair - but it does exactly what it's designed for very well - super cheap to run, tax is £30 per year and my fuel consumption is about 49mpg - I did get it up to about 52mpg when I was doing a lot of motorway miles, but don't expect the advertised 60mpg, thats just not realisic in real life... on the roller in a wind tunnel maybe, but not on the road.

Supprisingly well equipt too, aircon, electric mirrors, alloys, Blutooth CD/radio with 3.5mm aux jack if needed - although I don't think mine is the most basic model, I couldnt tell you what specific model it is off the top of my head.