Cam-Belts - Safty Margin

[nick_d]

The cam best should be changed after 5 years or some mileage (slips my mind at the moment) but I would asume that Renault (like most other manufactures) would over engineer this part to some degree???

So does anyone have an idear to what is a safe margin to push them - as most Vees are low mileage - 6 / 7 years ?????

I know they degrade over time not just mileage but how far con we safely go???

My 172's belt looked like new (no signs of wear at all) when it was chaned after 6 years and 60K Km.

 

[clarkiev6]

its about a £6000.00 gamble!

 

[scotty6r4]

I know of one v6 belt that broke,the car was one of the first 51plate cars.

The car had done 66k and it made a right mess,cost the bloke about 4.5k and that was 2yrs ago.

scotty.

 

[clarkeeuk99]

My belt was mint when Scotty replaced it (21K @ 4.5 years), but it's the pulleys etc that wear out more.

 

[Ed220V6]

Not worth the risk, just change it

 

[Kevred]

It will be interesting to see how many MK 2 owners splash the cash ? seeing as most of the advice given on this subject has so far been directed to MK 1 owners usually from MK 2 OWNERS !!! [smilie=icon_aaargh.gif]

 

[clarkeeuk99]

Mine's MK2 and replaced

 

[Matt]

It will be interesting to see how many MK 2 owners splash the cash ? seeing as most of the advice given on this subject has so far been directed to MK 1 owners usually from MK 2 OWNERS !!! [smilie=icon_aaargh.gif]

did my phase 1 on time and planning for my mk2 in 2010.

 

[nick_d]

My belt was mint when Scotty replaced it (21K @ 4.5 years), but it's the pulleys etc that wear out more.

The pullys etc. must wear by mileage not age - just the rubber of the belt ages by time.

If they "renault" say 5 years there must be some sort of safety margin built in!!!

 

[WONGY]

Nick

I had mine changed at 5 yrs mainly cos the car was stood alot rather than driven as most cars in HK are - this is cos i heard that makes them more likely to break than regular driving.

Wearnes charge 15k (ish) all in with water pump etc, so its defo cheaper than getting a new engine shipped!

 

[Chopper]

Am sure there is a some degree of safety margin buitl in but is it worth the risk? Without knowing how much safety marign they are giving you you'll always be wondering if the next journey or whatever is gonna be the one that does the damage. If you've got to get the cambelt changed anyway at some point why not just do it at the recommended mileage/time.
Mine is due in October and has only done 12,000miles, is a Mk2 but would rather have it all done and not have to worry about it.