Has Anyone had a timing belt snap, or know of one?

[Brett]

anyone can become a "specialist" overnight with sod all qualifications!

I agree with you to a point here Fred. It is bad how people can class themselves as "specialists". However "qualifications" aren't worth the paper they are writen on in many hands on trades, mechanics being one of them. I know plenty who would fly through exams, practicle test etc etc but who are fecking terrible in the real, awkward world of reality.

 

[Fred]

Well Scott @ SG i believe says the engine has to come out, and a lot of people off here use him, i say the engine has to come out also

why people leave the engine in i have no idea, i learnt many years ago its pointless trying to struggle to do something, do it the easy way, even if it takes you a a bit longer!

its only 23 nuts/bolts and the engine is out!

2 x hub nut
2 x back box clamps
6 x ball joint
1 x dog bone
2 x drive shaft bolts (retaining plate)
4 x subframe
2 x track rod ends
1 x gearbox mount
3 x engine mount

 

[hualpa_jo]

I'm working at Renault for over 6 years now and there has never been an engine we had to take out for cambelts. 172/182's are really no problem as long as you have some knowledge of the car and engine and of course you don't do it the first time. I have also done some non Clio L7Xs and although it can be a lot of pain to time the engine up properly it can be done when you take the time and effort until it really is proper... The Clio can be done as well without taking the engine out so done by a coworker.

As for the topic: I have seen many cambelt failures in the past but none of them were due to aging cambelts! Most common are failures of aux belt, pulleys (mostly waterpump) or tensioners and misuse (mostly misshifting) mostly leading to slip or sometimes ever complete failure. There is always a risk, growing by time but I have never seen one break so far.

 

[V6 2HOT]

Why doesnt someone post up a fast time video of cambelt change with engine in next time its done. No doubt it can be done with it in but.......
Logic dictates with engine in its gonna be harder surely? Ben used to say it can be done in but there isnt much space to work in its tight ie its possible but you are making it unneccessarily harder for yourself. Personal opinion would be I would rather the engine was taken out and properly and correctly done rather than mess about with the awkardness of it in. Lazziness and unprofessionalism would be my opinion of a mechanic who would want to do it in. Why take the risk with something so vital???? Pointless. I wouldnt trust a dealership or garage who would not want to take the time and effort to do it in the most sensible and prudent way. If they are taking unnecessary shortcuts with a cambelt can you imagine what else they would get up to????
To me it would negligent to do it with the engine in. Even if there is a slight increase in risk of it not being done properly with the engine in then its a risk too far. If you are gonna do something in life do it properly rather than a half-arsed feck-about!!

 

[Brett]

If you are gonna do something in life do it properly rather than a half-arsed feck-about!!

How are those second hand brake pads Nas?? :rofl:

 

[V6 2HOT]

If you are gonna do something in life do it properly rather than a half-arsed feck-about!!

How are those second hand brake pads Nas?? :rofl:

I know someone was gonna bring that up haha!! Needs must!! I aint a mechanic mate I know sweet fa!! But thanks for helping me out in France

 

[V6 2HOT]

To be honest brake pads are pointless, far too much weight in my superleggera vee and I can carry far more speeds thru corners!! Brake pads might have been useful if I had a KERS system installed!!

 

[Brett]

To be honest brake pads are pointless, far too much weight in my superleggera vee and I can carry far more speeds thru corners!! Brake pads might have been useful if I had a KERS system installed!!

You really are a tw4t rash Nas!! :rofl:

 

[Fred]

I'm working at Renault for over 6 years now and there has never been an engine we had to take out for cambelts. 172/182's are really no problem as long as you have some knowledge of the car and engine and of course you don't do it the first time. I have also done some non Clio L7Xs and although it can be a lot of pain to time the engine up properly it can be done when you take the time and effort until it really is proper... The Clio can be done as well without taking the engine out so done by a coworker.

As for the topic: I have seen many cambelt failures in the past but none of them were due to aging cambelts! Most common are failures of aux belt, pulleys (mostly waterpump) or tensioners and misuse (mostly misshifting) mostly leading to slip or sometimes ever complete failure. There is always a risk, growing by time but I have never seen one break so far.

no offense to you, but are you working for a dealership? 172/182's are easy i agree, but the amount of fuck ups we see is untrue (we see on average 15 to 20 172/182/197/225's etc per week) normally cam timing cock ups

Just my opinion with the V6 clio, its more than "just a clio" its a special car that deserves special attention, yes the belt can be done with the engine in (i still doubt the accuracy of the cam timing doing it this method!) point being is the time involed to drop the engine and box, WHY BOTHER struggling to do it in situ? (unless you are working to dealership book time?)

NO CHANCE i would take on a V6 and do it same day, impossible!


On the other end of the scale Ferrari say you have to drop the engine to do the belts on 360's, i've worked on them for a good while, you don't, but they're easy compared to the V6 clio!

 

[hualpa_jo]

Well actually it's drifting off topic so...

@fred
Yes I'm working for a dealership (a pretty small one I have to say though) and yes I'm working to dealership book time but I also agree with you it's not "just a clio"! As said I haven't done a L7X in a clio yet but...

@ Nas
...I have done more than one L7X! And when I say proper or accurate I mean: I lock the crank by special tool and all four cam lock bolts pop right in, if not I will adjust it over and over again until it fits! That's how I define proper accurate and professional. And if I personally would change your belt it wouldn't be about if I want to take the engine out or not. It's about that Renault says the engine stays in and if you want the engine to be taken out and are willing to pay for the extra work. And yes I would be happy to do aditional paid work on a vee

Nobody ever said being a car mechanic is an easy job and if what I say sounds a bit strange to you then keep in mind I'm from Switzerland which can make quite a difference...

 

[V6 2HOT]

Sorry Jonas I was referring to cowboy dealerships and garages here rather than abroad. There is a lack of trust here hence my 'scathing' post. Not everyone here works with pride or the exacting standards you do. I did say no doubt it can be done with the engine in and as you say Renault also say the same thing (I believe common sense overules that recommendation) but I would rather be given the choice as you have said and pay the extra.

 

[Fred]

^but renault say there's nothing wrong with the bonnet latch on the clio 2 and we all know what happened there, they also say there's nothing wrong with the timing belt tensioner rattling on the F4R engine (both 172/182/197/200/225/laguna etc) yet they release a moddified part 5 months after i submit a technical report with the aid of gates (OE manufactuers) AND there was never a problem with top mount knocking the clio 2 RS models, yet when i released the fix for the "non existant" knocking (the one dealerships did fix by grinding out the metal work surrounding the top mounts) they soon released a moddified top mount!

sounds like i'm the Jesus christ of the Renault world LOL, but its all a bit too convenient for me!

hence why i'm arguing for the engine removal method being the CORRECT METHOD!

 

[Spike]

A lot of good comments here and a few snipes and digs.
My opinion in respect of engine removal is , if the tools and cradle are available then dropping the motor out has got to be the way to go, however, after a main dealer had screwed the timing on mine i did change the belt with the engine IN the car, i did have a spare motor to look at and see where all the hidden bolts are, i also made a set of timing pins, you need 5, go buy a set from reno and you get 4! my opinion on the job, it was an absolute cu*t! yes i would do it again but only under circumstances where it was the only option and the weather was sunny!
So far as the comments regarding qualifications or not, to work on one of these you need a lot of patience and common sense, i HAVE got all my qualifications and it certainly was a challenge for me, mainly as it was my own car and what a prat i would look like if i screwed up. i have been in this trade for a very long time and met many people, if i think about it i could probably name 3 people that i wold trust to work on this car, one is Scott at SG, and NONE are main dealers. if you are going to attempt this job, plan ahead, and take your time.
Keep the comments coming in thoug, great response.

 

[martyn petrie]

So going back to the question has anybody known a renault v6 cam belt snapp?? I drive a 2001 v6 espace with the l7x engine in thats done 145000 miles and has never had the belt replaced. I bought it 4 years ago for £800 and thought i'm not paying another £800 to get the belt replaced so i'll drive it and take the risk.