Cambelts

keith s · Post by **keith s** » 13 Aug 2003, 21:09

I have a xantia 2litre petrol turbo which has now done 150k miles. The cambelt was last changed at 70k. I have a lot of mileage to do over next seven days before I can get it fixed. How risky is this?

mbunting · Post by **mbunting** » 13 Aug 2003, 21:54

I did similar mileage in a TD, no problem, but the belt was worn though ( had it down for replacement, and was forced into it by gasket failure anyway ! )

Guru Meditation · Post by **Guru Meditation** » 13 Aug 2003, 21:54

It's difficult to quantify the risk of the belt snapping in comparison to a new one being on there. That's 80K without a belt change which means it was due one about 30K ago-it depends on how LONG the belt has been on there as well as how many miles and what kind of miles. I mean 80K in two years on a motorway would probably be no worse if not better than 5-6yrs and 40k all start stop journeys. If I were you I'd feel deeply uncomfortable and worry like hell it was going to snap, but if it's lasted 80k it'll probably last at least a few K more-it's obviously a strong belt. Anything over Citroen service interval is running risk.
I'm currently worrying about my oil change being 1000mi over due so I'd be having kittens if I was you lol.
Guru Meditation

Linegeist · Post by **Linegeist** » 13 Aug 2003, 22:04

There's also the issue of contamination to consider - sorry!
If the belt has been subjected to any fouling by oil (or any other potentially damaging material come to that) then its integrity will be further compromised. I've seen cambelts changed, and then fail 25k later because of a camshaft oil seal weep that's softened the belt teeth.[xx(]
Are you SURE you can't spare the time/££ to get it done before you go???? It's got to be worth a bit of hassle if only to avoid that horrible gut-wrenching, sphincter-tightening feeling you'll get every time you hear the tiniest noise you didn't expect.........[:D][:D][:D][;)]

mbunting · Post by **mbunting** » 13 Aug 2003, 22:28

Doing the job yourself ( on the TD ) is not that much of an effort, and that's coming from a mechanical novice !

Homer · Post by **Homer** » 13 Aug 2003, 22:38

The fact you are asking suggests you have a choice. If so I would suggest getting it done sooner rather than later.
I take it you've never had one snap because if you had you would never have left it this long. Unless you just got the car, in which case definately get it done.

bxbodger · Post by **bxbodger** » 13 Aug 2003, 23:06

I have never had a belt break on any of the cars I have had, mainly due to paranoia induced by seeing it happen to other people. There is no rhyme or reason to when it may happen: my brother in laws Mk4 Cortina's belt never broke and was never changed during the whole life of the car, yet the Escort he had after it snapped its belt a month after he got it.
I always change it on a new (to me) as soon as I get the car home, service history or not.... I do them every 35K, they are so cheap but can end up costing so much if they snap. I can see why people stretch (pardon the pun) the inteval, however, as to get someone else to do it is not cheap.
Call it premonition, but most peoples belts seem to go when they start to wonder if its been done recently or not........If it was me I would be out there doing it right this minute........

Dave Burns · Post by **Dave Burns** » 14 Aug 2003, 00:30

I am doing mine at this moment after 55k thats plenty for me then I know I'm safe, the last one I did at a similar mileage had a crack along one of the teeth roots, didn't look like it would have gone the distance to me.
Your's is well overdue, have you considered hiring a car or is this not an option.
Dave

Linegeist · Post by **Linegeist** » 14 Aug 2003, 02:34

Stone me! This thread's really turned into the 'Crack of doom' hasn't it? I feel a large whisky coming on - just to console myself, like. [:)]
I suspect the concensus then, is "Change the cambelt, immediatement", eh???? Or have I misread something?? [:D][:D][:D]

Homer · Post by **Homer** » 14 Aug 2003, 13:12

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Linegeist

I suspect the concensus then, is "Change the cambelt, immediatement", <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Well, if it were me, I would be packing plenty of spare sets of underpants at least.[:o)]

Jez · Post by **Jez** » 14 Aug 2003, 13:55

Cheapest place either on line or is Halfords the best place to buy a cambelt - what is the approx cost? Xantia 1.9TD L plate.

Dave Burns · Post by **Dave Burns** » 14 Aug 2003, 14:07

Hmm... no link to the online shop in the forum pages, or maybe there is but I aint seen one.
Here is where to get OEM cam belts (and other gear) and at the right price..£8.50 plus Vat...see if you have a local branch to collect from so you wont incur the delivery charge.
http://www.gsfcarparts.com/
For gods sake don't go to the H shop for things like this, screenwash yes.
Dave

Jez · Post by **Jez** » 14 Aug 2003, 18:08

Can I risk air freshener there?!!

Jez · Post by **Jez** » 14 Aug 2003, 18:22

Have had a look in their catalogue, I may be blind but I can't find cam belts - can anyone help with a page number or a ref I can quote if I ring them - Ta

SGould · Post by **SGould** » 14 Aug 2003, 21:21

My Xantia 1.816v is in the local garage (independent Citroen specialist today) for a full service, MOT and cambelt change. It has done 54K. I got a call from the garage to say that the spheres needed changing so the bill for the lot would cost around £550- £600. I cannot afford this so I have said to leave the cambelt until the next time. I am not happy about taking this risk but I figure that as I do around 5K miles a year, and that it looks in OK condition at the moment, it should be ok until next summer. What worries me though is that the car is 7 years old next year and it still has not had a new cambelt. I would say Keith that we are both taking a risk, and if you feel individually that the risk is too high do not take it.