Cam Belt

[Bazile]

Just in case no one goes back to this question - i'll start another thread

http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Motoring/Question1488721.html

1. Just to clarify - there is no need to change tensioners and pulleys at the same time - is that correct ?

2. Why is it recomended to change the water pump and fan belt at the same time as the cam belt ?

3. TWR states to get the job guaranteed - however is it likely that a garage will give a guarantee for the replacement of a cam belt ?

4. What is a reasonable price to expect to pay for the work ?

5. Would you recommend getting a franchised dealer to carry out the
work ?

[BRIGHT SPARK]

Baz ..It is prudent to change associated parts and the water pump because most of the cost is in the labour required to get to the belt.The water pump may start to leak after a few years and the pulley bearings are sometimes below the pump...this will lead to seizing and premature belt failure.Get it guaranteed as there MAY be some comeback if the new belt fails early.I would recon around £300 for the job and you wont need a franchised dealer...just a recommended one.

[Bazile]

Would the £ 300 include the tensioners/pulleys /water pump ?

[BRIGHT SPARK]

Never had one done on a Ford.The last was done on a Dispatch van.Have a ring around.

[TWR]

To get this job done, I'st do not go to the dealers, a family run garage will giv the same service a reduce cost, it is recommended that the Water Pump / & the Tensioners get changed at the same time due to the wear & tear, the Fan Belt also, by doing this, that area will then be perfect & new giving you a piece of mind Bazile, when a belt goes you get no warning, it just goes with one hell of a cost, the ,makers might say change at 70000, I say 50000>>60000, it's not the makers that pays the bills, at the end of the day Bazile, it's your choice.

[TWR]

To add, the complete job, around £250>>£300.

[Islay]

I have been driving for years and have never had one done yet! Going on TWR's suggestion of getting it done at 50000 I would have to get it done every 2 years!!

[TWR]

Have you ever had a cam belt snap?

[ummmm]

I have. It caused 3k worth of damage to the engine and this is going back to 1996...

[Islay]

nope and never had one done so what does that tell you?

[TWR]

Time.

[BRIGHT SPARK]

If you're lucky the belt will last 100k or more especially if you do 25k per year...however on an older car with 65k on the clock the water pump may be seeping and the tensioner bearings could be starting to wear.Its generally tensioner issues that results in a failed belt.If you enjoy Russian roulette then dont worry about it.

[Hopkirk]

Islay, it tells me that you change your car fairly regularly.

[tonyav]

I know this pic is a Vauxhall Astra twin cam but most petrol engines are of a fairly similar layout. You can see that the cam belt drives the water pump and can see how the tensioners work.
Pretty straight forward to change the water pump and tensioners while changing the cam belt.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v424/chemfish/A17.jpg