Cambelt Advice

[Bro]

Hello

I am new to this forum and have just purchased a Clio 197. It has 59k miles and is a 56 plate.

Looking at the service history it has been maintained and regular oil changes have been done by renault themselves. The problem is the cambelt was done in 2012 when it had 32k on it and technically according to renault it should have been done last year.

My question is seeing as its only done 27k since would I be able to get away with leaving it for another year before doing it or is it crucial that its done every 5 years? Do the belts deteriorate that badly after 5 years?

I appreciate any help

Thanks

 

[link]

For 197's it's every 5 years, 200's every 6 years, although its all the same parts etc. So just a change in the service schedule. If yours is a 56 plate then it sound's like it had its first cambelt at 6 years and its second should have been in '17 or latest '18... Either way it needs doing!

Cost of a cambelt at a specialist is circa £600, at Renault your looking at least a grand! The cost of a decent low mileage engine plus fitting is £1.5k+ so feel free to do the man math

p.s. Don't take these cars anywhere other than specialists, back street garages won't have the right tools, f*ck your timing up or worse...

 

[harey]

As above, it’s really not worth taking the risk. Better to get it done and not have it in the back of your mind every time you go for a drive


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[Jimmy]

As above, it just isn't worth taking the risk leaving it when it is due to be changed. It is a big amount to pay out, however it is small fry compared to the cost and the ball ache if the belts did break - perhaps the chances of it happening are small, but it has been known to happen.

That's not to try and scare you, far from it. As with a lot of things on these cars, it's the preemptive work that will save you so much heartache and money down the line. As Harey says, the peace of mind knowing that you have had it done can't have a value put on it.