Seriously overdue cambelt change?

Soldato
Joined
22 Dec 2002
Posts
10,165
Location
Minehead
I've just found out my 306's last cambelt change was at 48k under warranty as it snapped. The car's now done 139k and apparently hasn't had a change since (which the previous owners assured me it had). Am I right in thinking I really shouldn't be driving it until the belt is changed?
 
Definitely - if it snaps it can take your engine with it leaving you with a four figure repair bill

I think it's 70k for the 306, not at all sure though. It was only 40k for my Astra!

In any case it sounds like you should change it pronto - yes it'll probably cost £150-£200 to have it done but that's cheaper than a new engine :)
 
A peugeot mechanic has said he'll do it for £70 including the belt as a bit of pocket money for himself. It irritates me somewhat however, that the previous owners said the guy before them had it done just before he sold it. Turns out it was 80k before I had bought it. Stupid people :mad:
 
Yes, I'd avoid driving it till its sorted - though you would think if it snapped within warranty and accepted mileage interval, the owner would have learned how critical it is!

EDIT: missed your second post. £70 inc parts sounds reasonable, just make sure he changes any tensioners and/or pumps running off that belt as if any of them seizes it will lunch the new belt.
 
Last edited:
I bought a QH kit for my Mondeo for £50 on an auction site, fair enough thats £40 more than just the belt but upon removal of the old belt and tensioners, it was quite obvious that one of them was past its sell by date - the bearing was crunchy and stiff.

I guess changing the belt is better than nothing but ideally, do the lot. Or at least inspect the tensioners and see if they look in reasonable condition.
 
Its advisable to get the tensioner done then? Whats a cambelt idler? Do I need to replace that too do you think? Isn't it funny how everything needs doing at once - new clutch, gearbox and now the cambelt :(
 
Given that the first one snapped and the car was fixed under warranty, do you think they'd of changed the tensioners and idler etc? I'm not sure what to do with it right now :confused:
 
Even if they've changed them, it would be time to renew everything. If you can, stay with the guy when he takes the belt off and ask him what he thinks of the condition of the idler and anything else the belt is routed round. All he needs to do is take a look at it and spin it round with his fingers. They may seem OK, though this is by no means a guarantee, you might want to keep them. However if they seem unsmooth then you certainly know its about time they are changed.
 
As it's as customary as the 't-cut' & 'mondeo' comments i'll throw it in...

"What about the screw-mod? Wouldn't that sort it & increase speed & MPG?"

Thanks for reading. :)
 
Coco said:
As it's as customary as the 't-cut' & 'mondeo' comments i'll throw it in...

"What about the screw-mod? Wouldn't that sort it & increase speed & MPG?"

Thanks for reading. :)

Unhelpful and useless post.

I don't want the stupid screw mod, I just want a car that I can drive semi safe in the knowledge an expensive elastic band isn't going to snap and cause lots of damage.
 
Hardly, I just simply stated that your post was troll like and a pointless waste of my time. I've got all the info I need now, and a smart comment to boot. Feel free to close thread
 
Mike306dt said:
Isn't it funny how everything needs doing at once - new clutch, gearbox and now the cambelt :(

Bleugh... been there just recently mate. And now my power steering system needs attention due to a leak :(

I had my cambelt changed recently and while the mecanic was talking me over the procedure and showing me the old parts, he mentioned that the belt he took off might have been the original :eek: 85,000 miles on the original belt! Good job I had it changed when I did.
 
Back
Top Bottom