cambelt on way out?

1. andymanc Infrequent Poster Joined: Apr 2007 manchester/ richmond n yorks Posts: 207 saxo vtr

   #1 16th April 2007, 15:10

   how do you know when your cambelt needs chaning, my cra has done 65k, the previous owner said it had had its cam belt changed but i dont know, its running like a pig and booked into be sorted tomorrow. its kittery and feels like its goning to stall at anytime. what are the tell tale signs?
2. andymanc Infrequent Poster Joined: Apr 2007 manchester/ richmond n yorks Posts: 207 saxo vtr

   #2 16th April 2007, 15:10

   (jittery not kittery!)
3. MaRiO89 Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 7705 Saxo VTS

   #3 16th April 2007, 15:11

   Cambelts dont have any signs they will just snap.. Usually when you start it of when its ticking over. If your not sure just get it changed as if it goes its bye bye engine..
4. andymanc Infrequent Poster Joined: Apr 2007 manchester/ richmond n yorks Posts: 207 saxo vtr

   #4 16th April 2007, 15:17

   so..if my car si runnig as if its going to die at anyminute it isnt likely to be them cam? probably good news then!
5. WestyVTR Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Nov 2004 Gosport Posts: 3140 saxo VTR, Clio 1.2 turbo, prious, Kawasaki 363 nin

   #5 16th April 2007, 15:18

   get the belt and tensioner done have the tappets looked at and "all" fluids changed it should run better then.
6. andymanc Infrequent Poster Joined: Apr 2007 manchester/ richmond n yorks Posts: 207 saxo vtr

   #6 16th April 2007, 15:21

   cheers mate, hope to have it back and running properly in a few days or so. just hope if it is the cam it dont snap on the way to the garage!
7. WestyVTR Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Nov 2004 Gosport Posts: 3140 saxo VTR, Clio 1.2 turbo, prious, Kawasaki 363 nin

   #7 16th April 2007, 15:34

   drive it carfully & if it brakes - fix it - no worries...
8. VTS_16v_Boy Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Aug 2006 Dartford Kent Posts: 5251 Pug 1007 HDi Sport (daily) / Abarth 500

   #8 16th April 2007, 15:49

   If your handy with the spanners change the cambelt asap - if there is no proof or documentaion that has been done do or have it done anyway.
   
   Also have a service done as well . . .
   
   oil
   oil filter
   air filter
   fuel filter
   HT leads - if you got them which I think you should have
   and spark plugs
   
   This might improve the way the car runs if not then at least you have made a start on the right parth. Sourch your own parts over a week or two to spread the cost also this gives you the added bonus of picking what goes in.
   
   If your on a budget or you just want pattern parts you cant really go wrong with eurocarparts check it out here http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecommerc...ls.asp?P=Parts
9. andymanc Infrequent Poster Joined: Apr 2007 manchester/ richmond n yorks Posts: 207 saxo vtr

   #9 16th April 2007, 15:52

   not particularly mechanically minded, its going it tomorrow, how much would i expect to pay for that service plus a cambelt change plus labour?
   
   hope i can pay over a few weeks!
10. VTS_16v_Boy Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Aug 2006 Dartford Kent Posts: 5251 Pug 1007 HDi Sport (daily) / Abarth 500

    #10 16th April 2007, 15:59

    Wellllllll alot depends on the garage, Id avoid main dealer unless your loaded or know somebody inside that will make sure its done properly (main dealers are con artists)
    
    Phone around and see what a few garages say - When I had mine done I think it was around the £130 mark not sure, also depends on if you can supply any of the parts yourself then its just labour and no mark up on parts.
11. andymanc Infrequent Poster Joined: Apr 2007 manchester/ richmond n yorks Posts: 207 saxo vtr

    #11 16th April 2007, 16:01

    £130 mark is affordable for me, booked it into a garage that i used with my clio and almera and they seemed ok, so just going with them. ill let ya know the bill and what was wrong with it when its back
    cheers
12. VTS_16v_Boy Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Aug 2006 Dartford Kent Posts: 5251 Pug 1007 HDi Sport (daily) / Abarth 500

    #12 16th April 2007, 16:12

    Ahh there you go, if you have used them in the past and are happy with their work carry on using them.
    
    A good mechainic is one of the hardest things to find aprt from a Factory 130bhp Saxo :
    
    Always try and build up a good relationship with your mechainic - I dont mean sleep with him unless he's David Hassolhof - but always good to have a joke and laugh and always ask their opioun on something that way their should always be happy to look after you and the car
13. hesslevtr Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: May 2004 Hull (England) Posts: 18709 1.6 vtr

    #13 16th April 2007, 16:14

    its easy todo it aslong as you lock the cam pully off and mark everything up
    
    buy a haynes and have a read and see if you can manage it
    
    theres no tell tail signs of it wearing unless you take covers off and have a look even then theres no guarente if its still ok
    
    cam belt wont be causing the problem uness it isnt timed right
14. andymanc Infrequent Poster Joined: Apr 2007 manchester/ richmond n yorks Posts: 207 saxo vtr

    #14 17th April 2007, 15:12

    ended up needing a new cat and oxygen senser and few other small bits. £220 ouch! nevermind, got ma car back and happy it wasnt worse!
15. VTS_16v_Boy Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Aug 2006 Dartford Kent Posts: 5251 Pug 1007 HDi Sport (daily) / Abarth 500

    #15 17th April 2007, 16:16

    £220 isnt that bad, like you said could have been worse. Does the car feel alot better now?
16. andymanc Infrequent Poster Joined: Apr 2007 manchester/ richmond n yorks Posts: 207 saxo vtr

    #16 17th April 2007, 16:45

    yea idling properly and just seems more solid. happy its back!