Timing belt finally changed after 11 years

[reef2k]

My GP finally had the timing belt changed after 11 years and 101,000 miles. I've only just bought the car,and obviously this was my top priority. Everything actually looks fine,except for the aux belt. Feeling very relieved it's done,and a fair price at £136 labour and £85 for Dayco belt,tensioners & w/pump kit,plus aux belt.

[Old-Guy]

That timing belt looks pretty good for its age. I was in a similar situation when we bought our Xantia 11 years ago - original belt still on at 11 years and 67,000. That belt looked very different, transverse cracks down to the cords from both sides - very scary! My auxiliary belt looked just like yours, but had been changed at least once in those 11 years.

The point has been made on the Forum that a) modern timing belts are more durable and b) are not subjected to the constant sudden loads imposed by the old mechanical injection pumps.

[reef2k]

That timing belt looks pretty good for its age. I was in a similar situation when we bought our Xantia 11 years ago - original belt still on at 11 years and 67,000. That belt looked very different, transverse cracks down to the cords from both sides - very scary! My auxiliary belt looked just like yours, but had been changed at least once in those 11 years.

The point has been made on the Forum that a) modern timing belts are more durable and b) are not subjected to the constant sudden loads imposed by the old mechanical injection pumps.

Yes,i understand belts are far less likely to fail these days,but 11 yrs really is pushing it,despite how good it looks.

However,two independent Citroen specialists told me slightly different things in the last week. First said 1.6 hdi is far more likely to snap a timing belt than the 2.0 ltr regardless of age while the other said they're both very tough and unlikely to fail within ten yrs or 150 k

[andy5]

Interesting. My Xantia HDI has 223,000 miles, with the only belt change so far at 127,000 about 10 years ago, so it's under consideration, depending on the rest of the car.

If mine looked like that middle picture I'd be happy to risk skipping it for a while, though on the other hand I remember the guy who did it first time insisting the crankshaft pulley is worth changing as well. Is there a way of taking a decent look at the belt without going halfway to changing it?

[reef2k]

I'm not sure if you can have a peek behind the belt cover without removing the crank pulley and ancillary belt,so you'd be half way through the job,just to have a look. Has your Xantia ever had a water pump ? if not,then that would definitely be worth replacing.

[JohnD]

Is there a way of taking a decent look at the belt without going halfway to changing it?

You can remove the top cover and see the belt. But you only see the outside which will probably look ok. The real test is when you've got the belt off and flex it inside out and maybe see the cracks at the base of the teeth.

[sidney84]

Alas I've been seriously caught out recently. My timing belt was due and in fact I'd bought the belt but what with the cold weather thought I'd do it in the spring - anyway you know what happened next. Yes - the water pump bearing collapsed taking the belt with it. The reason I'm posting is just to warn everyone to change the water pump (and tensioner / idler) as recommended but especially if your engine has done high miles - I suspect the water pump takes a hammering and at 210,000 miles it was done! The belt had been changed around 110,000 miles I think but I doubt they'd done the water pump. I'm pleased to say the car is back on the road as (I've discovered) it's a characteristic of these 8 valve engines that because the valves are vertical they don't tend to bend but instead ruin the camshaft - the lobes are pressed on rather than machined from a single piece and it's the lobes that 'give'.

[reef2k]

Very sorry to hear that,but pleased it's back on the road. You'd expect most garages would recommend changing the w/pump at the same time and if done at home by previous owner,they would also know enough to do the pump,so perhaps it's the second pump ..still unlucky though.

[RichardW]

. I'm pleased to say the car is back on the road as (I've discovered) it's a characteristic of these 8 valve engines that because the valves are vertical they don't tend to bend but instead ruin the camshaft - the lobes are pressed on rather than machined from a single piece and it's the lobes that 'give'.

What engine was this on? There's a thread running in the Pug section about an 8V DV engine that broke its belt, and is having timing troubles this could be relevant to!

[Eddie Nuff]

The cambelt service on the 1.6hdi is at 150k miles or 10 years, whichever comes soonest. Madam's C4GP is 9.5yo and 106k but prudence says it's time to do the full job very soon.

[myglaren]

Prudence is right!
Don't ignore her

[sidney84]

. I'm pleased to say the car is back on the road as (I've discovered) it's a characteristic of these 8 valve engines that because the valves are vertical they don't tend to bend but instead ruin the camshaft - the lobes are pressed on rather than machined from a single piece and it's the lobes that 'give'.

What engine was this on? There's a thread running in the Pug section about an 8V DV engine that broke its belt, and is having timing troubles this could be relevant to!

I think my engine is a DV4 TD so could be relevant - I've posted my experience on the thread you've mentioned.