How can I tell the cambelt has been changed?

[TimB]

Recently purchased a 2004 silver 182, 57k on it, was advertised as FSH/cambelt been changed, brand new brakes etc. Everything looked fine, drives fine.

I called the garage who serviced it last who said it was only in for an MOT, and the belt definitely wasn't changed, even though it says "t-belt" (with no date listed) in the service book. I think the oil has been changed recently as it's still golden colour, new air filter too.

I contacted the seller afterwards who said his mate who works for Renault changed it.... I think it's fairly safe to assume it's not been changed, but can I check this? maybe remove the valve cover and check the belt condition?

Thanks.

 

[Rob]

No way to "check" without recipts/stamps for work mate, simple as that, if you do a search you'll discover this has come up several times, and unfortunately the only way to sort it is to fork out the cash to have it done.

 

[Christopher]

Tough one.

Does the tensioner look new?

 

[TimR26]

If you don't have record of the cambelt being changed get it done asap.

 

[TimB]

1st page looks fine.

2nd page, hmmm

 

[The Boosh!]

There is a separate page in the service book for timing belts/tensioners no?

 

[TimB]

There is a separate page in the service book for timing belts/tensioners no?

Yep, it's blank.

 

[The Boosh!]

Bad times i'd get it done dude.

£400 for a belt change vs 2k+ for a new engine fitted. No brainer.

 

[TimB]

Why would the garage stamp it if it was just in for an MOT?

Where can I get the belt done for £400?

 

[The Boosh!]

Why would the garage stamp it if it was just in for an MOT?

Where can I get the belt done for £400?

Just noticed you're in Sheffield!

If you're going to do it get it done by a specialist (you need special tools to do the 1*2 cambelts and not everyone has them).

I take my car to birchdown which is in cheshire (ish).

Alternatively you have BTM performance which is in Birmingham!

 

[Alic01]

Does the last pic not say the timing belt was done??

Other: T-Belt does that not mean Timing Belt.

I would give them a ring and ask, i would think it has been done and just filled in incorrectly but a quick call will tell you.

Edit: Ah i see it has no date, your right looks a bit dodgy, if you give that dealers your reg they will give you details of everything they have done on that car. If they havent done that belt but its stamped by them they may even go on the warpath to find the idiot who stamped it

 

[DrR]

Aux belt was only 10k overdue assuming they did it.

 

[Budgie]

Well, it's got a stamp and t-belt written, but how trustworthy that is, who knows.

Pop it along to a specialist. BTM, Birchdown or alike and get them to inspect/check the timing. Be prepared to stump up, though, because should you not have the cambelt done, it could be pretty costly.

 

[Dj Annihilation]

I had this very same concern when i got my 172. It was stamped in the book but by a garage I did not recognise. Also did not come with a receipt.

I then thought is there anyway of checking cuz I wouldnt have a clue. Contacted a garage from the good garage scheme who actully advertise cambelt checks. Cost me £90 quid to have this done. They also Invoice the job done. They said it had been changed, they charge 450 to do this if it had not of been, I would of assumed if they had any thought it hadnt been they would have said it needs doing.

The mechanic did say that if it had been changed a long time ago then it would not be worth checking but as the cambelt change was a part of the deal it was a matter of weeks.

 

[Sarah]

ring up the garage, see if they have details fo the invoice

 

[TimB]

I had this very same concern when i got my 172. It was stamped in the book but by a garage I did not recognise. Also did not come with a receipt.

I then thought is there anyway of checking cuz I wouldnt have a clue. Contacted a garage from the good garage scheme who actully advertise cambelt checks. Cost me £90 quid to have this done. They also Invoice the job done. They said it had been changed, they charge 450 to do this if it had not of been, I would of assumed if they had any thought it hadnt been they would have said it needs doing.

The mechanic did say that if it had been changed a long time ago then it would not be worth checking but as the cambelt change was a part of the deal it was a matter of weeks.

How did they know it had been changed? Cambelt condition/date stamps/tensioner condition?

ring up the garage, see if they have details fo the invoice

I would give them a ring and ask, i would think it has been done and just filled in incorrectly but a quick call will tell you.

Edit: Ah i see it has no date, your right looks a bit dodgy, if you give that dealers your reg they will give you details of everything they have done on that car. If they havent done that belt but its stamped by them they may even go on the warpath to find the idiot who stamped it

As said in my opening post, I've tried this, they said it was in for an MOT and the cambelt wasn't touched by them.

 

[gallagher]

I've just bought my first car; it's a 1999 1.2 16V with 89,000 on the clock, and according to the service history, hasn't been serviced in four years! On the other hand, it has an MOT until the end of next month, the oil looks pretty fresh and it drives great...

Problem is that I've been told there's no way to tell if the cambelt is new or not, so I'm guessing that, unless it's already been changed, that it's pretty much about to snap. Reckon I should get it done before I drive the car any further, because to be honest, I don't fancy ruining an otherwise great little engine?

 

[Struggler]

As said in my opening post, I've tried this, they said it was in for an MOT and the cambelt wasn't touched by them.

I'd go on the war path with them and make them find out why there is no date, and why it has been stamped for a service and t-belt change if it was only in for an MOT!

hopefully they'll be as intrigued as you, and investigate it,
it could be fraud!

I've just bought my first car; it's a 1999 1.2 16V with 89,000 on the clock, and according to the service history, hasn't been serviced in four years! On the other hand, it has an MOT until the end of next month, the oil looks pretty fresh and it drives great...

Problem is that I've been told there's no way to tell if the cambelt is new or not, so I'm guessing that, unless it's already been changed, that it's pretty much about to snap. Reckon I should get it done before I drive the car any further, because to be honest, I don't fancy ruining an otherwise great little engine?

Id be amazed if it hadn't snapped by now!
mine only lasted to 57K on my 1.2

 

[gallagher]

I've always had a passion for cars and engines, but I haven't got much of a clue what's under the bonnet I'm afraid haha. In that case, my Dad's mechanic quoted me £150 to fit a new one. Do you reckon at 90K it will have probably been done then, because it has service history up to 50K and hadn't been done then...

Just out of interest, does my car have an aux belt on it too or is that only the sports versions and is it replaced alongside the cambelt and tensioners as standard? I guess I'll get called every name under the sun for such a comment lol, but hey, I guess I've gotta learn somewhere, and it's just a shame it's at your expense! ;-)

 

[Dj Annihilation]

How did they know it had been changed? Cambelt condition/date stamps/tensioner condition?

Soon as they stripped the car down, they could see the belt looked new, they words were we can see that a new cambelt kit has been replaced recently. It looked brand new.

Considering the belt was supposed of been done within a few weeks of taking it to the garage they said they could tell, however they did say if your talking months, its best to replace it.

End of the day, if they just wanted me cash they would have said told me as soon as they stripped it the belt needed doing and charged me 450 instead of 90. They were a member of the good garage scheme and have a good rep. Provided me with Invoice detailed what they did. I am happy with that.

The gargae i got the car from took it somewhere i didnt know of to get the belt done, was stamped in the book but i didnt trust them, hence why i got it checked
Louis

 

[Wests Renault]

if that is a genuine renault stamp in the book where the 'T-Belt' is written i'd ring the garage as it will be on their records