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Cam belt confusion

Posted: Thu Oct 04, 2012 7:59 pm
by Tidmo
I asked on here a while back how long a cam belt lasts time wise before it needs changing.
Mine was done on import in 2007, it's a 2000 diesel.
Speaking to different people I'm getting different answers from change it at 80k or 3years.
I've covered approx 8k miles since buying mine 18 months ago.
Change it or not yet?
Confused!

Re: Cam belt confusion

Posted: Fri Oct 05, 2012 8:22 am
by wonkanoby
if it wasd done 5 years ago then i would change it

Re: Cam belt confusion

Posted: Fri Oct 05, 2012 8:37 am
by mikeonb4c
I'm sure o went many more years than that without changing the cambelt on my Nissan Sunny. Trouble is, do you want to risk it on a cherished car like a Bongo. I believe 50k miles or 5 years are the rule of thumb bite the bullet figures, though I reckon the risk of going a little over 5 years would probably be low.

Re: Cam belt confusion

Posted: Fri Oct 05, 2012 10:22 am
by Velocette
Tidmo wrote:I asked on here a while back how long a cam belt lasts time wise before it needs changing.
Mine was done on import in 2007, it's a 2000 diesel.
Speaking to different people I'm getting different answers from change it at 80k or 3years.
I've covered approx 8k miles since buying mine 18 months ago.
Change it or not yet?
Confused!
As with a lot of things, the number of heat cycles, can be more telling than the number of miles and if you don't know how the vehicle was used in the past I would change it soon to be on the safe side.

On my Astra I had it done at 38 000 Miles IIRR which was a bit later than recommended and it did turn out to be in poor condition.

Re: Cam belt confusion

Posted: Fri Oct 05, 2012 10:35 am
by MountainGoat
I had my cambelt changed on my diesel at my last service in January almost exactly 5 years since it was change by the importers (Jal). In that time my Bongo, a full camper, had only done 15,445 miles. I believe that the reason for the frequency recommendations is that the belts perish over time and probably stretch a bit over usage. Beter safe than sorry, cheaper than a new engine and a lot cheaper than having the cam belt on my Jeep Cherokee CRD changed.

Tony

Re: Cam belt confusion

Posted: Fri Oct 05, 2012 3:50 pm
by 321Away
i thought it was 60,000 or 5 years? has any1 checked the workshop book?

checked the book, which is no use whatsoever!!

Julian

Re: Cam belt confusion

Posted: Fri Oct 05, 2012 4:24 pm
by rita
321Away wrote:i thought it was 60,000 or 5 years? has any1 checked the workshop book?

checked the book, which is no use whatsoever!!

Julian
The last time I looked at the ranger wlt manual it was what ever came first...100000km (60000 miles) or 5 years.

Re: Cam belt confusion

Posted: Fri Oct 05, 2012 6:12 pm
by mikeonb4c
321Away wrote:i thought it was 60,000 or 5 years? has any1 checked the workshop book?

checked the book, which is no use whatsoever!!

Julian
That sounds right. My figures were off the top of my head ;-)

Re: Cam belt confusion

Posted: Thu Oct 11, 2012 8:58 pm
by Tidmo
Cheers guys.
Booked inti 321 away on Sat, cam belt change, water pump and thermostat, new drive belts.