I have a 1998 1.4 saxo which has only done 33K miles to date. Mostly short runs 4-5 miles each journey. Citroen advise change the cambelt at 72K service and they do not give a time limit.
What should I do?
As the car is coming up to 5 years old I feel inclined to get the belt changed but is this necessary?
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Better safe than sorry, I would say. It certainly won't do your engine any harm to replace it early, but it may do rather a lot of harm if you leave it too late...
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Thanks
What would the normal cambelt life be in years if the mileage was not sufficent to warrant it changing?
Does Citroen publish this information?
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I would change it now as it has had a hard life as cambelts go. Then at 3 yearly intervals if your mileage does not exeed 36000 in that period.
Andrew
Happiness is a T70 at full chat!
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Thank you
I will get it done.
Do you know if any special tools are required? If not I will do it myself.
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Although my Saxo is the 1.5 d, my dealer advises me that it is changed at 72,000 miles or 5 years whichever is sooner. I have just had mine changed at 56,000 miles as it is 5 years old, was only about £70 or so.
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Unless you are used to changing cambelts or are very experienced, don't bother doing it yourself - if you screw it up you can cause belt failure and bang goes your engine anyway. If the garage does that, at least you can claim on their insurance.
I would say that 5 years is about the right life for a belt, irrespective of mileage. Of course, nothing might happen... but I wouldn't bet my engine on it.
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Thank you
Looking at a Haynes manual last night they say that the belt life is 36000 miles if used for short journeys.
What should I expepect to pay at a non citroen garage for thsi change?
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