Do I need a full service and a cam belt replacement?

gizmo1990

gizmo1990

gizmo1990

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1 Aug 2003
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First off I know nothing about cars really so thats why I thought I'd post here!

Anyway, after just having passed its mot, my '94 306 is running pretty well. Its done just shy of 50000 and hasn't given me any hassle thus far.

However I'm now thinking I should front up the cash for a full service. I'm using the car a lot now since I have to commute 50 miles a day to work and I'm piling on the miles.

I've been quoted £350 for a full service via my local Peugeot dealer plus they recommend me getting a new cam shaft belt which will add on a further whopping £300!

Could anyone here tell me if these prices sound about right? Would they be vastly cheaper if I went to a normal garage?

Also is there anyway to check if a cam shaft belt actually needs replacing in the first place?

Sorry if these questions sound daft. PCs I know about but cars...

Any advice appreciated.
 
gizmo1990 said:
FirsAlso is there anyway to check if a cam shaft belt actually needs replacing in the first place?
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Cam belts should be replaced at the manufactorer's recomended intervals. If the cam belt lets go it tends to make an expensive mess of the engine.
 
gizmo1990 said:
However I'm now thinking I should front up the cash for a full service. I'm using the car a lot now since I have to commute 50 miles a day to work and I'm piling on the miles.
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To be fair, 50 miles a weekday isn't exactly piling them on. It's hardly different to average.

On this age of car I'd probably be most tempted to service it myself.
 
frakker said:
Hmm... Wonder what part of "First off I know nothing about cars" means "I have extensive knowledge of automobiles"?
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You don't need "extensive knowledge" of a car to service it yourself IMO.
Airfilter - pop/unscrew cover off airbox, drop new one in
Oil filter - probably the most difficult of the lot IMO but still not a huge job, car on stands, old ice cream tub underneath, unscrew sump plug and drain. Replace sump washer, screw back in sump plug. Unscrew oil filter, fill new one with oil, replace filter gasket, screw it on. Fill engine with correct oil to level.
Plugs - unscrew old ones and discard, screw in new ones
Top up washer bottle
Top up coolant
Pollen filter if fitted
Check tyre pressures and condition (which you should do anyway regardless of doing a service)
Check disks/pad wear
Check wiper blades

Parts list - Airfilter, oil filter, sump plug washer, set of plugs, washer fluid, coolant, pollen filter.
Tools - screwdriver, socket set, jack and axle stands or ramps.

Thats basically all a dealer or garage would do plus charge you a couple of hours labour too which would easily cover the costs of the tools to do the job on the first time.
Even I could do it, which is saying something as you haven't seen my DIY skills LOL
 
Thanks for all the replies guys.

Yep I really do know nothing about cars but after reading your replies I'm tempted to at least attempt it and just pay for the belt replacement.

Regarding the belt, does anyone know if the £300 I've been quoted is a fair price or would a backstreet garage be much cheaper? When I say much cheaper I mean at least £50-£70 cheaper? Otherwise if it's a matter of a couple of quid I'd rather save myself the hassle and just take it to the dealer.
 
gizmo1990 said:
Regarding the belt, does anyone know if the £300 I've been quoted is a fair price or would a backstreet garage be much cheaper?
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I've recently got my cambelt changed on my Volvo, cost me just shy of £200 from a local specialist. I don't see why a 306 should be more expensive.

Burnsy
 
The 8v tu engine is very easy to change the belt. I'd have thought no more than 2 hours labour + the belt. Probably even easier in the 306 than the saxo due to more room. £300 is double what I'd want to be paying top wack really. As for rest of stuff, as said DIY it really is easy :)
 
gizmo1990 said:
Yep I really do know nothing about cars but after reading your replies I'm tempted to at least attempt it and just pay for the belt replacement.
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Purchase a Haynes manual. Will tell you how to do all the service jobs step by step with excellent explanations and pictures.
 
Thanks again for the advice guys.

I've always gone to my local Peugeot dealer since I've owned the car.

What should I be looking out for to find a 'reputable' garage? Ie are there certificates or things I should be looking out for in my local directory?
 
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