how can I tell if my cambelt has been changed?

1. 1ntense Regular Poster Joined: Sep 2009 Northants Posts: 296 VTR

   #1 13th February 2010, 20:42

   Think Im starting to worry about things that havent happened yet but from what I understand a cambelt change is an important thing, I dont suppose there would be anyway to know if it had been changed in its lifetime is there?
   
   Any way to tell if it needs replaced?
   
   How much am I looking at to replace it, is it a hard task and where in the engine bay is it located?
   
   Cheers
   
   Danny
2. Woods Infrequent Poster Joined: Oct 2008 Posts: 246

   #2 13th February 2010, 23:20

   If it gets too worn it might snap, which would cause bent valves and stuff.
   
   I think it needs to be changed every 80,000 miles or so, but also depends how well the car has been treated over the years. If your confident its easy enough to change it at home.
3. user_25603 Frequent Poster Joined: Jul 2008 warrington Posts: 613 mazda demio! saxo! bmw e36 in white!!

   #3 13th February 2010, 23:24

   its not a big job its just time comsuming.. and its very easy to upset the timing of the engine which means it wont run right. i am just guessing but since you asked were it is i am guessing your not very machanicaly minded.. but i dont no you might be...
4. pug_rallye Newbie Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 13

   #4 13th February 2010, 23:48

   Service interval for a cambelt change should be between 48,000 to 80,000 miles depending on conditions.
   
   Personally i wouldnt wait anywhere near 80k. Too risky for such a small job.
5. KamRacing Saxperience Addict Joined: Nov 2006 A farm shed in Aylesbury Posts: 14916 Corolla AE86 Peugeot 205 B18C (in bits)

   #5 13th February 2010, 23:49

   one of those things that if its not on the service history then could be worth changing as a precaution and / or piece of mind
6. Merrick L-plater Joined: Jan 2010 Wolverhampton Posts: 77 Posi VTR Mk2

   #6 14th February 2010, 00:53

   The handbook tells you to change it once every 80,000 miles or every 5 years, whatever comes first.
   
   It also says if you make mostly short journeys, change it at 60,000 miles.
   
   If the cambelt snaps, it basically takes out your engine, and the cost to replace it is pretty much a new saxo.
   
   My advice would be if you dont know if its been done or not and its not in the service history, get it done, it will cost you around 100-150 quid at most mainstream garages.
7. gavin_t Established Member Joined: Jun 2009 Southend, essex Posts: 2079 1999 mk2 VTS EP3 2004 civic type r

   #7 14th May 2010, 18:36

   Just bringing this up again as I was wondering what the intervals are on the vts's
   
   Assume they would be a bit shorted. mine was done at 74,000 and its now about to tick onto 100,000 so was thinking it could do with another. As it gets driven hard fairly often on track etc