Aux belt squeaking took to garage

[_Alex_D_]

Hi

My Aux belt had started squeaking. Took to garage and mechanic said the tensioner isn't pulling properly and has seized up. He said he will take it to bits Wednesday and sort.

Now the question is if he thinks it's fine should I just pay the labour and have new belt or should I get a new tensioner from Renault and get him to fit it while he's at it. Think it's about due. I mean does Aux belt do any damage if it becomes loose. Cars on 105k and think it should be changed at 108k.


Also when would I be due for another Cam belt? Was done on 69k. Was gonna get Hillpower to do all this work when service was due in March but doesn't look like I can wait now. The garage that looked at car I have used for years but they are not Reanults specialists. I'm not paying stealers prices but want all work to be done right.

 

[RichMcc]

It should come as a kit and the tensioner is as important as the belt its self!
If the aux belt goes it usually takes out the cam belt and its bye bye engine..
Cam would be due at 140k or 5 years after you got it done.

 

[edde]

He has to replace the belt since the belt should never be reused.

Cambelt I'd never leave one on mfor than 4 years or 60k.

 

[edde]

It should come as a kit and the tensioner is as important as the belt its self!
If the aux belt goes it usually takes out the cam belt and its bye bye engine..
Cam would be due at 140k or 5 years after you got it done.

Tensioner can be bought seperate I'm sure.

 

[InSoMnIa]

mine needs one of them if you find some where that sells them for under £100 let me know

 

[edde]

mine needs one of them if you find some where that sells them for under £100 let me know

£80 at Renault last time I looked.

 

[InSoMnIa]

mine needs one of them if you find some where that sells them for under £100 let me know

£80 at Renault last time I looked.

sorry should have stated engine for the 1.4 ive been quoted 110

 

[_Alex_D_]

Think tensioners are about £70 and belt £14. Can get all seperate. Looks like I'm going whole lot then if it can take cam out.

Thanks for your input guys.

 

[_Alex_D_]

Damn garage told me today they don't want to do it!!!!!!!!

Said that it's a silly engine in such a small car. I replied saying it was stupid fast and he said I was daft for buying it cause it's so hard to work on. I said why am I stupid I'm not the mechanic YOU are. He didn't seem to like that and said he would do it in a week or so!

Anyway. A place called Protune said they would have a look but would be looking at 2-3 hours labour (they only charge £30 an hour though.)

Stealers said £264 and kit is £50. I brought the kit and told them to forget fitting.

My mate reckons we could do it Saturday. He has basic mechanical knowledge. What do you think? Is it that hard to do or should I pay a garage. Thing is getting it booked in and taking it there and getting a lift back and there again! My local garage is across from work but he don't seem interested.

 

[Fred@BTM]

go to hillpower!! it requires a special tool to do it

2.1hour job

 

[_Alex_D_]

Special tool?

Will try to Fred. Just 30 miles from me and nothing to do round there for 2.1 hours and I'll need time off work!

 

[dick]

tbh mate its not something you should skimp out on.
ye it needs a special adjuster tool which only specialists and renault tend to carry.

 

[_Alex_D_]

For AUX belt? Thought that was only for CAM.

If it's got a tensioner why would there be an adjuster? Sorry xcuse my ignorance but...


Well if I did you to Nick what should I get done while it's there. On 105k. I've done oil and filters and haven't got any spare cash for expensive tuning so shall I ask him to give a once over (check things like) and should I get him to change top engine mounts while he's got engine loose?

 

[Fred@BTM]

no the special tool is for compressing the tensioner

it can be done without, but you'll struggle

 

[_Alex_D_]

Ok fair dues Fred. Will ring Nick today :S

 

[gtruk]

imagine its not something your garage wants to do (most small businesses wont) then its pointless taking it there to be done.....its not very comforting. Also if the garage has said they dont want to do it then you can guess thats its a difficult pain in the ass job that you wont want to do urself without a professional.

Pay what it costs, and make the extra effort to get a pro to do it, or in the end you will end up paying more money than what is needed if the engine breaks.

Just my 2p.

 

[_Alex_D_]

Ay fair point. False economy true.

Anyway Hillpower gave me the cheapest quote. Even without club discount was £30 cheaper than Citrognome (a localish specialist) but I can't get time off work and a lift to drop car off and fetch next day which is a right shame.

He's too busy to do it while I wait but thats fair does. I've got a mechanic who owes me some favours who I gave a ring. Said will try and sort next week. He's done the newer ph2 172s before and said will need to take bumper off and headlight to do it and it's a pain but thats what he gets for owing me! lol

Got kit from Stealers for £50 which seems cheap enough. Hopefully nothing will happen before weekend after next when he gets chance to do it.


BTW Protune wanted to take condenser and radiator off and charge 5+ hours labour. Fixed aircon not long back so I said no thanks!