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Timing Belt service and what to replace?

5K views 6 replies 4 participants last post by  danjoe 
#1 ·
Hi,

I have to do my Timing belt soon. The last time this was done, the specialist replaced this with a Conti. Timing Belt Kit, and Alternator Belt.

After doing some reading on the Net I have identified that it is recommended to do the water pump.

My Clio is now 10 years old with 83,000 miles on it, has no water leak, and have changed the coolant every 4 years, so the coolant has not been compromised, I hope.

Questions are:
1) should you replace the water pump?
2) Should I change the Alternator using a Kit instead of simply changing the Belt? Big Price difference between the 2, £10 for just the belt or £70 for the Alternator Kit.

The Alternator Kit is costing more then the timing belt kit from Continental (£55). What are the risks if not chaning the pulley on the Alternator? Maybe this should be done considering mileage and age?
 
#2 · (Edited)
Ive just had the timing belt on my scenic done and i replaced the pully's and water pump, the pump is so cheap and is driven by the belt, so makes sence to do it. Do the job right by replacing what is recommended then you can sleep well at night. also if the pulley should cease then the new belt will snap, for the difference of £60.00 ask is it worth it.
 
#3 ·
When it comes to spending on cars, many people mistakenly believe that the resale value of the car should determine how much they should spend.

In all honesty, if the car is running well, and in good order, you should be thinking what it would be worth with a broken engine, and how much you would need to find to buy a replacement car (or at least put the damaged car back to its current condition).

There are many ways to save some money on cars; use cheap or part-worn tyres, fit second-hand body parts when required, shop around for insurance, garage costs & consumables.

But one area which should never be subject to cutting corners is the cambelt (or anything which runs from it) - search the forums and you will find the same preventative advice given by the same members, and sadly, a litany of woe from those who have suffered failures.

You are always going to be in a stronger negotiating position to seek the 'best-value' for any work required, if you can take your car wherever you wish.

If the belt snaps (for whatever reason, it makes no difference to the result), then not only are you dealing with unknown costs (can the engine be saved, or are you looking at swapping it over?), you will find you cannot negotiate on cost, plus you will have to pay a recovery fee.

All these additional costs & hassle can be avoided, so rather than thinking 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it', its a case of 'prevention is much cheaper than cure'.

HTH

Paul
 
#4 ·
I'd agree with the posters above about the water pump, for the same reasons. As for the alternator, I've had one or two fail over the years and there's usually a clue beforehand that they're going to fail. So, unless the parts are arranged in such a way that an alternator belt or bearing failure could cause a risk of the cambelt failing, then I'd leave the alternator for now.
 
#5 ·
Thanks for all your comments.



I don’t like skimping for my car as I have owned it for 10 years now, however I also don’t like being ripped off with a labour quote of £220 from Renault. Surely if they really know what they are doing, with the tools and workshop they have its no more than a 2 hour job or less?!

Anyhow I still have the following decision to make:


  • do I invest in a alternator kit or simply replace just the belt. If I do get the kit, for some reason I can only source this from Renault, and not any other suppliers, like eurocarparts
 
#6 ·
If you haven't changed the alternator belt at the last time, I'd change it this time around.

These items won't last forever, and the risk of it snapping is that it can become entangled with the cambelt.

HTH

Paul
 
#7 ·
I have taken a look at the water pump that was removed. This was an orignal Renaul Water Pump from a Clio 1.5 DCI 2002, with 83,000 miles on the clock.

Its in Prime condition, nothing wrong with it.

I have found the garage has put a Circoli water pump in it, which I am not sure if this will last as long as the renault one, being the eurocarparts source Circoli from global suplliers, so cannot confirm:
1) the origin of the part
2) the make
3) if it conforms to OE

So my advise is spend the extra £35 on a Renault one = £65, and get them to fit this part.

Then you will have safe motoirng for another 10 years.

I have also examined the Conit. Cambelt and tenisioner, and again this was in prime condition after doing 35,000 miles and 5 years.

But then again I do drive my clio like a grandad now, getting 73 MPG even in this weather conditions.

Hope this helps other people out there.
 
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