The old cam belt issue...

[Barney626]

So I've seen plenty of posts saying that these cars need their cambelts done at 5 years/72k miles.

Probably a really stupid question but never seen it answered before, if the car doesn't have it's cambelt done on time is it best to avoid it?

A lot of the cars on sale now haven't had their belts done but the seller says they will do the belt before the sale, is it still worth avoiding even if the belt has been done?

Cheers.

 

[A1axx]

So I've seen plenty of posts saying that these cars need their cambelts done at 5 years/72k miles.

Probably a really stupid question but never seen it answered before, if the car doesn't have it's cambelt done on time is it best to avoid it?

A lot of the cars on sale now haven't had their belts done but the seller says they will do the belt before the sale, is it still worth avoiding even if the belt has been done?

Cheers.

I recently bought an r26 as a donor. 79k, was prime for it's second belt.

Just done the belt so there's no issue. I would have no problem buying a car in need of a belt, just factor the cost in. If it's 10 years old and never had it done I'd be questioning the service history of the whole car not just the belts.




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[sevenfourate]

If it's 10 years old and never had it done I'd be questioning the service history of the whole car not just the belts.

That would be my issue too. If they hadn't done / couldn't afford that....what else had been skipped.......

 

[Barney626]

Just seems odd that some cars have had entire gearbox/clutches and not had the cam belt done.

The guy I rung about one of the cars says he's been asked about the cam belt 10 times this week...

It's difficult for me to tell whether it's affected the car as most of them are 3+ hour drives away so test drives are not really an option unless im gonna buy it after...

Ultimately, what damage could an un-replaced cam belt do? Is it easy to notice when driving?

 

[l33th3tr33]

I don

Just seems odd that some cars have had entire gearbox/clutches and not had the cam belt done.

The guy I rung about one of the cars says he's been asked about the cam belt 10 times this week...

It's difficult for me to tell whether it's affected the car as most of them are 3+ hour drives away so test drives are not really an option unless im gonna buy it after...

Ultimately, what damage could an un-replaced cam belt do? Is it easy to notice when driving?

I don't think there's any damage to be caused, but make sure to to the dephaser and water pump at the same time. I viewed a 172 for a mate earlier and the belts were done about a year ago, and the dephaser started rattling not long after so the guy had to do the belts again, as well as dephaser and water pump. as long as it has good service history and all looks well/drives weel then there shouldn't be a problem.

 

[Timbo]

....
Ultimately, what damage could an un-replaced cam belt do? Is it easy to notice when driving?

It's a wearing part due to both time or use since instal that has a recommended replacement cycle (either time or distance). Left unreplaced, it will ultimately fail (break) meaning the synchronization between crankshaft and cylinders, and camshaft and valves is gone. The resulting engine damage is usually catastrophic! The car will come to a very noisy, horrible stop.

You may get some sense of the condition of the belt from a visual inspection but it's not worth relying on this. Owners should just follow the recommended maintenance schedule. Not to do so is, in my opinion, simply negligent. Do not buy a car where there is no tangible service history of this maintenance item.

 

[jasonlovesfrench]

Another dilemma for you...when I bought mine the service history said it had been done, it wasn't, it snapped in the first month and I had an engine rebuild costing 2k. If it's over 70k miles just get it done, or take the gamble.

 

[jasonlovesfrench]

It's a wearing part due to both time or use since instal that has a recommended replacement cycle (either time or distance). Left unreplaced, it will ultimately fail (break) meaning the synchronization between crankshaft and cylinders, and camshaft and valves is gone. The resulting engine damage is usually catastrophic! The car will come to a very noisy, horrible stop.

You may get some sense of the condition of the belt from a visual inspection but it's not worth relying on this. Owners should just follow the recommended maintenance schedule. Not to do so is, in my opinion, simply negligent. Do not buy a car where there is no tangible service history of this maintenance item.

Mine looked fine from the bay but once removed it was very worn.

 

[Timbo]

Mine looked fine from the bay but once removed it was very worn.

Yes, it's unreliable at best...on service history, if you can get this in writing, then you might at least have some possible recourse.

 

[A1axx]

At least when you take the cover off and see tippex there's a chance it's been done once [emoji23]. Usually some nasty marks on the cams from not using a locking tool


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[Pav]

Still can't believe that some people wouldn't do this crucial change..as above,what else hadn't been done?

 

[Barney626]

Still can't believe that some people wouldn't do this crucial change..as above,what else hadn't been done?

It is a shame, such a small thing ruins the service history of the car for the rest of it's life...

Ah well, guess I just gotta wait until a good one turns up...

 

[Pav]

Patience padawan

 

[Timbo]

Oh, I wouldn't not buy one, just because this had not been done; I'd discount the asking price accordingly, and get it done as soon as I took delivery. If it was well overdue, I'd factor in the cost of flatbed transport to my Renault specialist of choice. Don't let someone else's problem become yours, and ensure they understand the cost of their neglect.

 

[Antti O]

There is also lot of cars with good service history for sale, and more to come.
For example my 197 had 10 service stamps including 2 timing belt replacements.
Personally, i would not buy car with bad service history.
It tells so much how car has been treated. Clio 197/200 need lot of maintenance and love.

But for that question, if that is only problem and history is good maybe negotiate -1000£ off, get belt done asap.

 

[Clawliger]

Bought mine knowing one had been carried out within its 70,000 mile life. First thing I did was have it all replaced for peace of mind over the next few years of driving. I wouldn't let it put you off.