Accessory Belt @ 36,000 miles?!

[Lee172_cup]

Hi guys,

I took my 172 cup to Sunwin Renault for it's 36,000 mile service last week and I feel like I got completely ripped off!

According to the service manual the accessory belt should be changed at 36k but they didn't even mention it, nevermind replace it! Not only that but they changed the spark plugs at £60+VAT+labour which didn't need doing. They also used different tyre pressures than at the 24k service, different quantities of oil and estimated my front brake pad wear to be 15% where as at 24k they estimated them to be 20% worn - they're the same pads!!!

Anyway, after much arguing with a clueless service manager I managed to get a refund for the spark plugs which were not necessary. He wouldn't do the accessory belt though.

I am correct that the belt needs changing? I rang Yozzasport who said it's an easy job on a cup because there's no tensioners because there's no air con. And the belt only costs £20.70 including delivery.

Has anybody done this job themselves and do you have any advice, it would be much apreciated. Cheers

 

[Fred@BTM]

10min to swap the belt, even if you're a complete mong

 

[Lee172_cup]

Ha ha, I'm not a complete mong but I'm no mechanic either!

Cheers mate

 

[Fred@BTM]

that was a generic mong statement, not aimed at just you

 

[ben_p]

belt is easy, all you need is a 10mm deep socket, 13mm spanner and 16mm spanner!

i did one on the nurburgring car park in 10mins!

the belt is £7 from andrew page too (gates belt)

 

[bmh.01]

The plugs are iirc 72k/5yrs and i'm guessing your cup is coming up to/is 5 years old? So they did need doing if so (nice freebie there for you then ), but another thing to note is it'll be due a cambelt at 5yrs so that'll want doing at some point soon sooner rather than later.

 

[geesus69]

10min to swap the belt, even if you're a complete mong

made me giggle :approve:

 

[Lee172_cup]

Oh right, I saw that the Cam belt needs doing at 72k. Thought I had a while left yet, didn't realise it was 72k or 5 years. Is it worth doing the Cam belt at the same time then? I'm guessing that's not a 10 min job, might have to get the old man to help me out with that.

 

[Fred@BTM]

special renault tools required mate, about 4-5hour job and £160ish in parts plus a bit of swearing

 

[ben_p]

cambelt is a b**ch.

you need the renault locking tools. BenR at AWT will do it for £350 including the belt

 

[bmh.01]

Oh right, I saw that the Cam belt needs doing at 72k. Thought I had a while left yet, didn't realise it was 72k or 5 years. Is it worth doing the Cam belt at the same time then? I'm guessing that's not a 10 min job, might have to get the old man to help me out with that.

I spent £60 to get the special tools and did mine myself about a month ago now, mine was more difficult due to being a FF with the more complicated aux setup but i'd still say unless your rather mechanically competant then don't bother as the parts aren't cheap and it gets very fiddly and irritating.

 

[Lee172_cup]

Fair enough. I'll do my accessory belt for now and start saving some money to get the cam belt done professionally. My car was first registered in Dec 2003 and has only done 36k so I have a little while yet...I hope!

Thanks for the advice guys. I'm going to steer well clear of Sunwin Renault from now onwards!

Cheers