V6 cambelt. How to know if its been changed? Also temp gauge

[Reallyfree]

Hi just joined forum after buying a 2002 V6 on 103k km yesterday from a local trader. It's a fresh import with no service history (guessing that's faily normal). I'm not too worried as it looks well looked after and drives faultlessly but I stupidly didn't think to ask about cambelt. Having spoken to trader this morning he says there was a sticker on side of dash saying it was changed a year ago but it was not there after vehicle returned from valeters. What would you do if it was you? Is there any way of telling? And what sort of cost involved?

Also a little concerned about temp gauge where needle hardly moves off zero unless sitting idling and only then moves to less than a quarter.
Thanks

[Simon Jones]

I've also got an '02 V6 which had no history to prove cambelt had been changed so the first job I had done was to get it replaced (it should be done every 5 years regardless of mileage) and also had the camshaft and crankshaft oil seals done as they tend to leak with age. It is a fairly major job and takes the best part of a day, so you should budget around about £500. The sticker in the door shut is more likely to be for oil change as cambelt stickers are usually on or close to the cambelt cover.

While it's probably not an expense you had budgeted for, but it in terms of piece of mind, its a wise investment.

Temp gauge sounds quite normal for a V6 as the engines run quite cool compared to diesel. There is a mod you can do to remove the damping so it displays across a wider range of the dial, but I would go for a separate digital gauge like the TM2 or TM4.

[New Forest Terrier]

Find a Bongo expert garage. There are ways to tell if a cam belt has been changed on a V6. There should be a sticker on the cam belt cover giving the mileage, plus there will be marks where the cover has been removed. Depending on where you live, Wheelquick Wigan, Discount Trucks Newbury or Alans Plymouth should be able to tell you.

Certainly if you need it done the cam and crank seals are best done at the same time. My 95V6 seals are all OK but the cam belt has been done in Japan, so possibly the seals as well.

The door stickers are most likely service stickers. I have them on mine with each service date and details of oil and filters changed. I was lucky enough to get the service book with mine, but the stickers are a good sign it was looked after.

[Reallyfree]

Thanks guys very useful advice. I am in Monmouth, South Wales so not sure if there is anyone local. Will ask my regular mechanic if he has ever seen a Bongo!

On the temperature gauge again, noticed today the needle is hard left on the stop until you hit traffic. No heating either until traffic either even on full power. Could it be thermostat failed stuck open?

[Ian]

On the temperature gauge again, noticed today the needle is hard left on the stop until you hit traffic. No heating either until traffic either even on full power. Could it be thermostat failed stuck open?

Sounds like it's been removed, drilled, or stuck open. You should get it replaced with a genuine Mazda one.