Timing Belts?

[Hendry]

My modernshite has a cambelt change interval of 5years/72K miles, its only done 49K but turns 5 in just over a month so I'm preparing to get it done, 59 plate Clio, 1.2 16v 75bhp D4F engine. Obviously I am well aware that the full kit including tensioner, rollers, etc should be replaced and that its also prudent to replace the water pump at the same time however a few people on the Renault forums ive searched for info on say the aux belt/accessories belt kit should be changed too as if it fails it can also cause the timing belt to fail, does this sound right? Why should it need changed as any other make of car I've had you don't need to bother with the aux/accessory/alternator belt, you change timing belt kit, water pump and job done.

 

Also I've looked on a few main dealers websites regarding it (for info purposes only, don't intend going to a dealer to get it done) and it seems they all do a fixed price £399 timing belt kit supply and fit (including accessory belt kit) or a £259 aux/accessory belt kit supply and fit but both prices have a ** after them, so reading the small print the ** says "crankshaft accessories pulley not included" so does this mean its not necessary to change that along with the complete timing belt kit, water pump and aux belt kit and if not why not? Or does it just mean it does need done but that cost will be on top of the quoted price.

[Felly Magic]

It means its advisory to be done, but most people will go with the fixed price job, then a few months down the line the tensioner farts, and the dealer has no comeback for the damage, and has the punter more or less over the barrel for a top end rebuild

[Joey spud]

On some engines if the alternator/aux belt should fail and go all ''stringing'' then there is a fair chance the ''stringy bits'' of belt can get pulled behind the the crank pulley and cause the cam belt to ''derail'' and jump a few teeth causing  spectacular upper engine carnage (maybe).

 

Seen a petrol engined Pug 307 do it this week on the M20 actually and towed it straight to the scrappy for the lad.

[Split_Pin]

Just get the belt changed alone, should be about 15 quid. The tensioner will make itself heard soon enough.

[gordonbennet]

My mate had his 10 plate 40k Golf GTD timing belt changed 2 weeks ago, he got his trusted indy (been going there for ever) but used genuine parts, water pump that came off showed signs of stains from the vent hole and the bearing didn't feel right, so quite likely the seal was failing and water pump failure a distinct possibility in due course.

He's had everything that can be renewed, renewed.

Be looking at around £500 any time now as the EGR valve seems to be on the blink, which according to the net is quite normal for the model, thats a £200ish part but apparently a right bastard to do.

 

Out of interest the genuine OE kit was cheaper than a full Gates' identikit.

 

Quite disappointing how poor quality the OE water pump (and EGR valve) on that Golf is considering the price my mate paid for it new, but quality seems to be a salesmans term these days and not an engineers, 55 mpg with 170 horses might sound appealing but the costs to get that can far outweigh any savings on modern shit, especially if the thing breaks.

 

I'd get everything changed on that Clio, don't give the sods a get out should the unthinkable happen.

[Barry Cade]

Yup, worth doing the lot. Just repaired a 16v JTD Alfa 147, the waterpump had siezed solid, which overheated the belt,which melted the idler pulley,which caused the belt to go slack and jump 4 teeth. Luckily these engines break rockers so replaced the 8 broken ones and it's sweet as a nut, even after 130k. Plastic impeller on the water pump... only takes 1 thing to cause a whole chain of events which will cost far more than 399 quid to sort...

[Micrashed]

Personally I would get the lot done.

On the C8 the price difference betwixt having ALL the belts, the tensioners and the water pump done as opposed to just the timing belt was £100.

 

Cost of a new engine = shit loads more than that when it grenades and turns into the worlds biggest paperweight.

[babydriver]

Just lost my other Xsara this very way, had new water pump and cam belt done then what do you know? the fan belt decided to shred and pieces got wrapped around the pully, took new cam belt with it and bye bye engine/car, one bad lesson learnt, get the lot done, a fanbalt and steering pump belt can only be pennies extra and you will have piece of mind.

[sierraman]

It's actually not that often the belt itself goes its usually the tensioner or water pump that throws the belt. If the pump looks anything like less than perfect I'd be inclined to change it.

[Hendry]

It was more this crankshaft accessories pulley which isn't included in the price I was asking about rather than getting everything else done

[Dave_Q]

It was more this crankshaft accessories pulley which isn't included in the price I was asking about rather than getting everything else done

 

The accessory pulley on most moderns has some sort of rubber in it to reduce vibrations or something.

On some models they fail quite regularly, not sure about yours.

 

It should be possible to have a look at it and see if it's worn or what.