Cambelt Change

johno2004

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Hi,

Would just like some advice on cambelt change on my van.

It was changed on 28/01/11 on a mileage of 196k on my service last Friday they gave me an advisory that it should be changed again as i am now on 298k and they said it should be changed every 55k.

Now since it was changed 20 months ago i have had van serviced 6 times and this was 1st advisory yet they said it needs changing every 55k.

Does the cambelt need changing every 55k or is it based on time aswell like spark plugs eg. 4 years or 50k which ever comes first ?

What would your opinion be as i dont want to waste money having the cambelt changed every 6 to 8 months based on mileage if it will last 4 years or so regardless of mileage, but on the other hand i dont want to trash engine for not doing it.

All advice welcome.

Thanks
 

television

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All Mercedes have timing chains :confused::confused:
 

Cole@MBS

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Dont think he is talking about a merc, he said it was changed in 2011 Malc, would help if we new the make/model i guess???
 
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johno2004

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All Mercedes have timing chains :confused::confused:

Sorry my vans not a Mercedes it's an Iveco daily lwb 35s12 i was just asking for general advice and opinions

Thanks
 
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television

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My V70R has the belt changed every 75k miles,,,lots of damage if it breaks
 

paul hayward

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My V70R has the belt changed every 75k miles,,,lots of damage if it breaks

i can vouch for that too:(...our works van destroyed itself on 58k...although the cam belt didnt just simply break:rolleyes:..one thing broke then another then..... BOOM:lol:

£1600 quid later all fixed..but had to sell the van to pay my mum back for the repair bill:Oops::lol:...it was a solution to the problem though:D
 
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toby1

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I would ask an Iveco dealer what the recommended change point is, rather than a Mercedes forum.
 

kth286

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it's usually not just the belt that is a concern, but the belt tensioner and also
the coolant pump that is often driven by the belt.

So three components to fail. The tensioner or pump seizing will cause the belt to wear through.

It is especially important if the vehicle is used for stop start, when the greatest
stress is imposed on the belt.

So, I would say it needs doing, or buy a new vehicle.

Which is better value for you ?
 

brandwooddixon

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Looks like they've slipped up.
Does the servicing manual not tell you what needs doing and when?
Having a belt changed is a lot cheaper than having a new engine fitted.
 

Silver_Star

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As above, it should be in your handbook. I will have a look on my auto data later though....do you have the year of the Van? Intervals vary, some fords are 10yr/100k whichever comes sooner.

If they go it isn't fun. I had to fix an Astra for my other half after she diddn't get the belt changed when I told her to get it done. Trouble is modern engines are all interference engines so at best you will have bent valves it lets go.
 
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johno2004

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Well according to my copy of Autodata, Iveco recommend it is changed at an interval of 55,800 miles for the 2.8D engine.

Thanks for that mine is the 2.3 engine on a 55 plate, My original question was does the cam belt have a time limit aswell as mileage as the belt would not become perished in 6 months as thats the time it takes me to do 55k so my question was is the belt likely to break due to the 55k or due to it perishing with age. The average car lets say does 10k a year so on a 55k cycle it would last 51/2 years in my case i would have covered 275k so on that basis it would snap due to both mileage and it perishing with age. but with 55k in 6 months surely the belt should last longer than that. Indeed it has as i have done 102k in last 20 months since last done.

Its by the by now anyway as i have booked it in for Monday to have it done anyway.

Its just that i bet a lot of people that do their own servicing and high mileage would not give the cambelt a second thought every 6 months.

Thaks for comments anywway
 

Alex Crow

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The short answer is yes, they will age with time as well as mileage.

However, so do tyres, and to follow the analogy through, if your timing belt were a tyre there would be no tread left and the chords showing - not really worth risking any further is it?
So good call getting it done now, money well spent.
 
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brandwooddixon

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Agree whole heartedly.
They perish with age and wear out with use.
Would you keep your oil change and servicing to annual intervals, because that's what works for the average motorist or miss one because you only had the oil changed 6 weeks ago, even though you've now covered 12,000 miles?
 

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