Timing Belt / Dephaser pulley change by miles not age?

[daemon]

I've been looking at a lot of the adverts on AT for Clio 197s and 200s, and one thing that really surprises me is the amount of cars that DONT seem to have had their timing belt done?

With it being 72K miles / 6 years that means that any car 2010 or older should have had it done, yet a lot of people dont seem to bother

I've seen adverts for otherwise desirable cars - even down to 2006 / 2007 with all the spec and FSH but no mention of belt / dephaser pulley change?

Seems very odd to me that people seem to be risking it - or maybe they know something i dont?

 

[Ol’ Tarby]

Its 72k miles or 5 years mate.

Its people who think "oh its only done 3000 miles, it'll be fine"
They're ignorant to the fact that rubber perishes over time

 

[Bear Head]

They're all risking it.

If they're owned by your average dick then they won't want to spunk X amount on a cambelt for something they can't even see or feel. It's proper preventative maintenance and people don't see the value of that.

Someone else thus buys it and the chain continues. You're in an enthusiast forum here, people who want to look after their cars the proper way so it's much more important to the people on here. If you're buying, try the forum first. 100%.

Also happens where a garage changes it. That's useless to you too because 99% of garages aren't going to have proper locking tools.

Moral of the story, ring up and specifically ask when the belts were done and who by. Also ask if the water pump was done, something else that's important!

Other option would be buy a lovely car with overdue belts, whack the price down and get them done by a specialist yourself to know it's done right.

 

[197.]

It's mostly a combination of not knowing and knowing but not being bothered because of the cost. I'd rather buy one that hasn't had it done than buy one which has had it done but from a normal garage or one where the owner has "lost" the invoice. Waterpumps aren't a big deal on these and my local specialist said they don't really need changing although I did just for peace of mind. I'd just buy one and knock the cost of a belt change off as has been said

 

[daemon]

I bought my 197 with slightly rose tinted glasses knowing it needed a belt as it had just 52K miles, but is 9 years old, though i got it at a v good price.
It was expensive to do the belt, dephaser pulley and pump (particularly given i went to a reputable Renault main dealer near me as i couldnt find a RS "specialist" here in NI) but it gives piece of mind, rather than playing russian roulette on a daily basis.
At the minute i'm just aspirationally looking at what i might go for next at some point down the line - the ideal being maybe a 2010-2012 200 with low miles, but its gutting to think i'd have to lay out big money again as soon as i buy one because so few people seem to maintain them as per manufacturers schedule.

 

[mikey4410]

Mine was done by a company called ren-o-tec at 110 thou 7/08/14.
Have been told it's like 500 quid for dephaser and belt.is this true as I only have the stamp but no recipet

 

[Bear Head]

Mine was done by a company called ren-o-tec at 110 though 7/08/14.
Have been told it's like 500 quid for dephaser and belt.is this true as I only have the stamp but no recipet

£110 or 110,000 miles?

Either way both worrying.

Dephaser costs about £110 on its own, plus belts fitting etc. Normally between £500 - £800 depending.

 

[mikey4410]

110 thousand miles.

 

[daemon]

Mine was done by a company called ren-o-tec at 110 thou 7/08/14.
Have been told it's like 500 quid for dephaser and belt.is this true as I only have the stamp but no recipet

Typically £500ish from a good indy, or £800 upwards from a main dealer.
I paid £888 for timing belt, dephaser, water pump and aux belt from my local main dealer. That with a years warranty on the work.

 

[mikey4410]

Wow that's quite a bill ain't it.jeezus.

Apparently the belts are a nightmare to get off/access ?

 

[197.]

If you get the whole lot done it can be expensive but then the costs are out there so no one can really say they weren't expecting it. Just getting the cambelt changed shouldn't cost much, its the other bits that bump up the price. I got the cambelt kit, dephaser, aux belt kit and waterpump done for £740 from my local renault specialist. Worth every penny as they're the best around

 

[daemon]

Wow that's quite a bill ain't it.jeezus.

Apparently the belts are a nightmare to get off/access ?

Well that was Renault rates and they did it in sightly under a day.
The full kit can be bought with genuine parts and a Gates belt (which is what Renault use) for under £250 on ebay.
Tight for space doesnt help.

 

[RMDavis]

Its still cheaper to get your belts replaced at the correct intervals than it is to pay for a cylinder head rebuild or a new engine...

I know what I'd rather pay for!

 

[Chrisgti6]

Its 72k miles or 5 years mate.

It's 6 years on the late 197's and all 200's.

Also, the dephasers are much better than the 1*2's and don't usually require replacement.

 

[Ol’ Tarby]

It's 6 years on the late 197's and all 200's.

Also, the dephasers are much better than the 1*2's and don't usually require replacement.

Ahhh right I stand corrected mate, cheers

 

[daemon]

Its still cheaper to get your belts replaced at the correct intervals than it is to pay for a cylinder head rebuild or a new engine...

I know what I'd rather pay for!

Yup, but frustrating you have to pay what could amount to a significant percentage of the cars value for a belt change that is well over due.
And, come resale time, you're not going to get that money back because Joe Public will generally look for the cheapest car, not the best serviced one.

Ahhh right I stand corrected mate, cheers

I thought it was 6 years but didnt like to argue.
Worth having it confirmed that its 6 though - it would be better (and probably only a little more expensive) to seek out a 2011 car with no belt change yet done but not needing it, rather than a 2010 car with no belt change but needing it done.