Viewed 172 that had an early cambelt change, should I be cautious?

[Stockbroker]

Evening,
Having recently joined the club a bought a 172 a friend of mine is also looking at them too. Viewed a car this evening that seems absolutely mint. The only potential issue is that the cambelt was changed at ~24k as part of the 24k service.

Renault seems to suggest it shouldn't need changing until ~72k miles but know most of the users here get it changed much earlier.

Is having the cambelt changed early likely to have any negative effects on the car / engine and if so is there anything we should be looking out for in particular?

Lets say the cambelt went early, and was repaired is it likely to have any lasting damage?

 

[DrR]

What reg is the car?

 

[daviebroon]

if its 5yrs old, then it was needed.

some people do it early just to be cautious

 

[edde]

Cambelt is chnaged at 5years or 72k whichever happens first it breaks with age.

Personaly I walways recomend a chnage at 60k and 4 years so a 172 might have had it done.

 

[Bluebeard]

I got my last one done at 32,000.

On a previous Clio I had, The belt snapped when the Car was 9 months old and had 5000 miles on it!!

 

[daviebroon]

^ going off on a tangent... but mine lasted 5.5yrs and 74k.

 

[The Seer]

Doesn't sound like there's anything to be wary of. At fives it's to be changed anyway.

Does anything look like it's been moved/replaced in regards to the engine. Any tell tale signs of work to repair what's necessary if the cam belt has snapped?

 

[DrR]

My cars had 4 cambelts

 

[ditz]

i wouldnt be cautious- i did my cambelt, waterpump, auxbelt and clutch at 40k and 4 years old simply because i had a holiday and an oppertunity to do it.. i knew that when it actually came time for it to be done i wouldnt have time to do the work.

 

[Stockbroker]

What reg is the car?

Its a 51 plate, forget when it was changed date wise, just recall it being 24k.

Nothing to worry about then by the sounds of things.

 

[daviebroon]

51 plate should have had it changed end of 06

 

[Jay Payne]

Surley thats a bonus when buying a used 172?

 

[Tony Hunter]

I've had mine done on my 182cup at 22'000 because it was convenient to do so,so I would'nt be concerend at all