Cam belt change

[brewstu]

Hey just had my car pass is mot no problems
However my mechanic asked if he knew when the cam belt was changed,
Ive looked through the few bits of history I got with the car but cant find anything.
( I guess this is what happens when you buy without full a history)
Its got about 120,000 on the clock, Should I get it changed to be safe?

[GTXTRA]

if in doubt, the general rule is change it.
40k miles is the usual recommended life of a belt.

[Risocco]

For the cost of it yeah its worth it. Do the tesioner too while you're at it dude

Alex

[the edmundator]

40k miles is the usual recommended life of a belt.

Although I believe that 80k miles is the service interval, no? Or am I just getting confused with the over-engineered wonder of Volvos?

[SCOTMCDOT]

40k miles is the usual recommended life of a belt.

Although I believe that 80k miles is the service interval, no? Or am I just getting confused with the over-engineered wonder of Volvos?

Volvo S40's are a bit of a mish mash when it comes to cambelts. There are 2 different types of engine in them, the Volvo one and the Mitsubishi one (as the S40 is based on a Charisma). The Volvo one needs the cambelt at 80k from memory and costs about £100 and the Mitzi one gets doen at 60k has 3 cambelts and costs about £600 in a garage for the work as it takes most of a day.

I go the one done on my Rocco by Volksworks in Leeds for £100, so just took it there. If it was any more i would have probably done it myself, as changing the cambelt is never that difficult, but its just the labour invlolved getting to it. Presume from the cost, its relatively simple on a Rocco.

Its is every 40k for a Rocco cambelt change, so you should definately do it. You cant tell when it is going to go and when it does its game over for the engine really, especially on an old car as it will be uneconomical to repair.

[the edmundator]

There are 2 different types of engine in them

Depends on the type/era of Volvo. A lot of 80s/90s Volvos have Renault engines - 340, 440/460/480. But all of the big, proper (i.e. built in Sweden and not the Nedcar factory in Holland, and preferably rear-wheel drive) Volvos have Volvo engines, like my 240.

40k isn't very much for a cambelt, is it?

[ianaudia4]

Totally agree, if in doubt change it.
For the £4ish for the bet and a tenner for the tensioner why would you not do it for peace of mind?
I thought the intervals were 60k miles though?

[stu.gtx]

The DX engine is a non-interference (dodgy spelling alert) engine so although a snapped cambelt would be a major inconvenience there would be no engine damage. Not sure if other engines in the range are the same.

[the edmundator]

Totally agree, if in doubt change it.
For the £4ish for the bet and a tenner for the tensioner why would you not do it for peace of mind?
I thought the intervals were 60k miles though?

probably because you don't know how to do it, it would cost a couple of hundred to pay someone else to do the job and that's a quarter of what the car cost you in the first place! Haynes agrees with a 40k interval.

[Risocco]

Totally agree, if in doubt change it.
For the £4ish for the bet and a tenner for the tensioner why would you not do it for peace of mind?
I thought the intervals were 60k miles though?

probably because you don't know how to do it, it would cost a couple of hundred to pay someone else to do the job and that's a quarter of what the car cost you in the first place! Haynes agrees with a 40k interval.

£100 to do a timing belt?!?

Its less than a hours job dude, where do you take your cars?

Alex

[ianaudia4]

£100 for a cam belt change, some one saw you coming bud!
I thought 60k miles for a change as that is what is stated in the buying guide on the forum!

[The Autoad]

I read it was 60k when preparing the buyers guide, but can't find where right now. I'll amend FAQ article to 40k.

[brewstu]

I think I might get get it changed just to be safe.
The mechanic I use is a mate so I get cheap labour rates,
shouldnt cost to much.

[KindredSpirit]

I didn't know that the DX engine was a 'non-interference' design. (stu.gtx).
I have always been under the impression that none of the engines in the Scirocco are (non-interference).
Like to know the source of that info.


Cheers

John

[Nate]

The DX engine is a non-interference engine

it was when it left the factory. if it has had the head taken off for any reason, there is a chance it has been skimmed (particularly if it was due to gasket failure) and it may then cause mucho damagio.

we normally advise people to change the belt at 30k. the lowest i have seen one go is 36k, on a renault clio