Cam Belt Change

[Trig]

I thought my 1.9 diesel was just ready for a cam belt change but my local ford dealer wants to charge me

[jkspoff]

Cam belt and tensioners due on 2003> Galaxy Tdi at 4 years or 60,000 miles. Always do the full kit, or its not worth doing. Negotiate with dealer, as I got main dealer to do mine for Edited November 5, 2008 by jkspoff

[Trig]

Cam belt and tensioners due on 2003> Galaxy Tdi at 4 years or 60,000 miles.

Always do the full kit, or its not worth doing. Negotiate with dealer, as I got main dealer to do mine for

[Willie Krashitt]

Can't remember specifically what the VW tensioner looks like, but most cam belt tensioners are constructed of a bearing surrounded by a plastic running wheel which runs on and tensions the belt. History has shown that this plastic sometimes breaks up in extended use, (heat and environment effect) and while it can be perfectly ok, and may continue to function for many years/'000s or miles, the risk is still there that it might break up. If it does, it will most likely destroy the engine. For the relatively low cost of the tensioner, my advice would be to fit a new one each time you renew the belt.

Although not applicable to you now, it is seriously worth getting a new water pump fitted when the 120,000mile belt change comes up as this is driven by the timing belt as well, and they are well known to fail.

George.

[jkspoff]

Cam belt and tensioners due on 2003> Galaxy Tdi at 4 years or 60,000 miles.

Always do the full kit, or its not worth doing. Negotiate with dealer, as I got main dealer to do mine for

[Trig]

Formula 1 gave me a quote of

[f0ster]

get an aftermarket kit and get a local garage to do it, a full kit is the way to go, if you get a part fail in say 50k from when you replaced only the belt the cost of repairs will be huge

[Willie Krashitt]

Hi again,

Whilst I did mine myself, it isn't the easiest job to do unless you are an experienced mechanic with access to a good set of tools etc.

If as your earlier responses suggest you want it done at a garage, then Woodhouse Engineering in Rayleigh (01268 745745) - also known as the "Cambelt King" are worth a call. It is run by the guy who mechanics/exposes bad practice on the programme "Rogue Traders", and as a result he does his utmost to put the customer first and won't stitch you up. You can get a multi view video of your car being worked on as well if you want. I think he charges around

[Trig]

Hi again,

Whilst I did mine myself, it isn't the easiest job to do unless you are an experienced mechanic with access to a good set of tools etc.

If as your earlier responses suggest you want it done at a garage, then Woodhouse Engineering in Rayleigh (01268 745745) - also known as the "Cambelt King" are worth a call. It is run by the guy who mechanics/exposes bad practice on the programme "Rogue Traders", and as a result he does his utmost to put the customer first and won't stitch you up. You can get a multi view video of your car being worked on as well if you want. I think he charges around