Cambelt change on 1.9TD

Gammy leg · Post by **Gammy leg** » 09 May 2006, 08:33

Chaps

My 1.9TD Synergie is due for MOT at the end of the month. It has done nearly 60,000 miles and is 6 years old.
Should I be considering getting the cambelt changed before the test based on the age of the belt rather than the number of miles it has covered? Does anyone have any experience of belts snapping during the smoke test?

Thanks

Gammy

mezuk04 · Post by **mezuk04** » 09 May 2006, 08:49

If the belt is original and has done the full 60k then I would personally get it changed especially if its 6 years old.

JohnD · Post by **JohnD** » 09 May 2006, 09:38

My MOT tester, who does our four cars each year, always asks if the belt has been changed in the last three years. I assume the question is part of 'covering their backs', so maybe there is a chance that a belt could go during the test.

dnsey · Post by **dnsey** » 09 May 2006, 10:54

IIRC, when the smoke test was first introduced, it was soon withdrawn again due to the number of broken cambelts. When it was re-introduced, I think they made it a requirement for the tester to ask if the belt is serviceable and warn of the risks.

jeremy · Post by **jeremy** » 09 May 2006, 12:03

Strangely when I take the ZX for its MOt I'm always asked if I want them to do the cambelt - but they never ask for the BX TD!

Gammy leg · Post by **Gammy leg** » 09 May 2006, 13:22

Think I'll err on the side of caution and change the belt & tensioner pre- MOT. I've had no experience on belt changes on the XUD. A quick scan through the manual makes it look like a bit of a pig to do - anecdotal feedback appreciated for the competent diy'er with a lack of enthusiam !!
Any idea of what it might cost if I subbed it out to a non-franchaised garage?

Gammy

dnsey · Post by **dnsey** » 09 May 2006, 16:45

It's easier than the manual makes it sound

Personally, I use the starter to loosen the tight crankshaft bolt (which is the worst bit), but some would advise against it!

James.UK · Post by **James.UK** » 09 May 2006, 17:01

My pet mechanic changed my ZX cambelt in his garage for me at a cost of £70 about 4 years ago at 100,000 miles.

He had a ZX himself for several years, so is very famiar with all aspects of the cars maintainance

Jshodgson · Post by **Jshodgson** » 09 May 2006, 22:07

It was suggested to me to have the water pump done atthe same time on my Xantia. Both belt and pump were quoted at £160 by an independant mechanic last week.

Gammy leg · Post by **Gammy leg** » 10 May 2006, 16:57

Just had a quote from garage @ £264.14 incl parts. Rated as 3.5hrs labour. I'll check out the manual again to decide whether I want to give it a stab.
Belt changing frequencies range from 50k, 72k & 80k and between 5 - 10 years depending on use. All these figures come from the trade and are taken from various published service schedules - autodata, peugeot etc.
Clear as mud!

Gammy

Post by **smashymike** » 10 May 2006, 17:48

Just about to get mine done - 95N TD Xantia - quoted £95 by local Citroen indie, sounds ok to me! But does he know its a bolt-on covers job i ask myself???

mezuk04 · Post by **mezuk04** » 11 May 2006, 08:24

Gammy > That price is to replace/fix what exactly?

It seems a bit excessive to me.

awg2 · Post by **awg2** » 11 May 2006, 08:31

Are these both quotes or is one an estimate?

Quote = binding
Estimate = optimistic guess unless you trust the guy

fastandfurryous · Post by **fastandfurryous** » 11 May 2006, 12:21

Be very careful of "cheap" quotes to change cambelts. I can count 4 garages around here that I know of, who DON'T actually change the belt!

All they do is give the covers a clean, and charge you for a belt change.

Because of course, the belt will probably last at least another 30k before it snaps. At which point you have absolutely no comeback at all. The car may have been sold in the meantime, or scrapped, etc.etc.etc.

So if it seems cheap, be careful. And ask for the old belt back. And mark the old belt in some way so that you KNOW it's been changed.

Gammy leg · Post by **Gammy leg** » 11 May 2006, 17:29

All,

The price of £264 was supplied from a trade member of another forum to which I subscribe ( BBA Reman ) and was for supply and fit of Cambelt and Tensioner. Based on my only other 'paid-for' cambelt change on a Mazda 626 it seems reasonable enough being that it allows for 3.5 hrs labour.
For those of you who haven't had the pleasure, working on a TD synergie
aint that easy as the engine is tilted backwards and about 50% is buried under the front bulkhead making access challenging to say the least.

Gammy