Cambelt Failure?

[Stumpy]

Obviously with any car its advisable to change the cam belt at or before the manufacturers stated time/mileage but how many people have ever actually had a cambelt fail on them?

From speaking to my mates and after spending quite a few years in the motor trade, I've only ever heard of one or two people actually having belts snap on them.

So, how common is belt failure on the Clios?

 

[bennno2005]

I don't thinks it's that common and I'd be willing to bet when it does fail it will be due to the full kit not being replaced on time or where it's not been done properly.

 

[Steven103]

From reading this forum: belts don't snap very often at all, it's the bearing in the tensioner that fails causing the pulley to bend & belt slip off. Valves meet cylinder & the rest is history.

Again from viewing the forum (those that work for Renault etc will be better placed to judge) it seems to be the RS models that fail the most and there is probably a "help with engine rebuild, cambelt failiure" thread every week or so. This could of course be because, whilst there are a lot of 1.2s and non sports, there are a disproportionate amount of RS clios on here. It could also be because RS are getting very cheap and people can't/won't spend £550 on their £1300 dog of a 10 year old phase 1.

 

[edde]

Again from viewing the forum (those that work for Renault etc will be better placed to judge) it seems to be the RS models that fail the most and there is probably a "help with engine rebuild, cambelt failiure" thread every week or so. This could of course be because, whilst there are a lot of 1.2s and non sports, there are a disproportionate amount of RS clios on here. It could also be because RS are getting very cheap and people can't/won't spend £550 on their £1300 dog of a 10 year old phase 1.

RS models are more common heence there more liklyhood to break also owners usualy drive them harder than 1.2 owners etc.

Also the cost of a new belt for a 2.0 vs 1.2 means more people put it off.

They do break though common enough fit however dealers won't often deal with them as there out of warently when they break,.

 

[Dan519]

most of the time failures are down to shredded aux belts, shattered idler pulleys, or previous incorrect work meaning the pulleys slip. Very rare to see a belt actually break.

Does happen, but usually as in this picture it's down to poor workmanship

 

[Daniel]

What happened to that one?

 

[Dan519]

the blanking cap on the dephaser was torqued up to an unreal level, and with no washer in place. the lugs where the bolts go through to hold the dephaser together all sheared off (I believe due to the massive over torque), the bolts worked their way out and jammed up, shattered the pulley and sliced the belt

 

[.Stevo.C.]

My cambelt failed because of a cracked idler pulley my fault that was though.

 

[Dan519]

 

[Jordi17]

Danny @ 519 - would you do cambelt changes and services on a fiesta or is it not something you would do?

 

[Sam@NP]

now that's proper fucked!

 

[Dan519]

Yes can do that for you, work on all sorts. In the last few weeks aside from clios, I've had 3, 5 and 7 series BMW's, an Alfa 156 and a 16 seater VW minibus in for work amongst others

 

[Jordi17]

So can i contact you when I need some work? do you require me to get the parts or is it something you do once I've booked in?

My car is advised that the cambelt is changed at 100k, but not sure i will want to leave it until then! not sure how long to leave before the 100k mark to be on the safe side

 

[Dan519]

Just call when you're ready, I'll supply everything

 

[Jordi17]

Cool, will do

 

[jack_davey]

A colleague of mine in the motor trade used to bang on about how unreliable renaults are.
He phoned me up one day to tell me about a mk1 megane 1.6 16v with a snapped cambelt to try and prove his point. When I asked when it was last changed it came to light it had never been replaced! He never mentioned it again when I explained it was nearly due it's third cambelt change and the original had only just failed!

 

[Chapppers11]

Had my cambelt snap on mine in the summer, was overdue though.

 

[LY04 GAV]

Mines not been changed was told it had been but hasn't . bought mine should be here tomorrow fitting it soon ") and its on 90k nearly

 

[LiamR172]

do you HAVE to get the timing belt done while your getting the cambelt and dephaser done?

or can you get JUST the dephaser done on its own?

my 172 is making a rather loud noise now, i was told the dephaser and belts were done at 67k miles, car is on 90k now.

any advice?

 

[MartinR]

do you HAVE to get the timing belt done while your getting the cambelt and dephaser done?

or can you get JUST the dephaser done on its own?

my 172 is making a rather loud noise now, i was told the dephaser and belts were done at 67k miles, car is on 90k now.

any advice?

timing belt/cambelt are the same thing i would never scrimp and put an old belt back on if you have the dephaser done do a full timing belt kit also.

get it to a specialist

have you got proof/receipts of belt changes? if not i bet you they have'nt been touched just told you to sell the car to you

 

[CuppyDean]

do you HAVE to get the timing belt done while your getting the cambelt and dephaser done?

or can you get JUST the dephaser done on its own?

my 172 is making a rather loud noise now, i was told the dephaser and belts were done at 67k miles, car is on 90k now.

any advice?

Timing belt and cambelt are the same thing, if your dephaser needs doing it makes sense to get the cambelt done aswell, when having a new cambelt done the dephaser is generally put on free of charge you just need to pay for it of course

 

[rosco454]

May as well do the whole lot in one go as its a false economy not to really.Timing belt needs to come off to fit the dephaser pulley,full belt kit should be fitted at the same time.Once you have done that its pointless not to fit a new aux belt kit.Change the oil and filter as well at the same time as there's no point having a lovely new dephaser pulley and then letting it fill with shitty old oil.Also if your rocker cover leaks from the bolts or the seal now is the time to take it off and reseal it.

Cheers Ross.

 

[LiamR172]

Alright thanks for the info.

The car has just had a new aux belt not even 1000 miles ago, would it be safe enough to put that back on? im hoping so! although renault will say otherwise.

looking at 600 for T belt and dephaser? seem fair enough?

 

[JBC27]

There are traders on here doing cam and aux belt changes for just under the £500 mark, add your dephaser ontop and you're not being ripped off. I'd see how much your garage want to do the aux belt as well though as it's not worth putting an old one back on. The kits are only about £70 from Renault and there shouldn't be any extra labour if they are already doing the cam and dephaser....