309: 74000 miles
Cambelt due at 72000
I'm a poor student! But will it survive a long run ie is it more likely to fail on the motorway?
|
|
Hi David - The latest thinking on cambelt changes for Citroen/puegeot engines is to change them at 36000 miles. At a cost of around £12 DIY it's foolish not to do otherwise. A snapped belt will leave you with a huge repair bill.
|
|
|
I agree - Even in my amatuer capacity as semi- petrol head many a chat with worthier Know -alls than moi lead to only one conclusion. Those who have fallen victim to a 'snapper ' have been forced to dig heavily into their pockets, and I mean HEAVY. Without doubt -get it done. From my experience a new belt at the right garage is not that expensive I would have thought. If your not a D-I-Y. man - Shop around for a price and then ask your favourite (generous ) family member for a loan (like my son does) They often capitulate into making a loan a gift ( like I do) .
If it does snap this is not a roadside repair job courtesy of the A.A. Are you in A.A. relay !!! or whatever it's 'get- you -home' bit is called now. You 'll need it. !!!!!!
REGARDS C.W
|
Chris,
I've just been quoted £99+VAT (plus about another £30 for the belt tensioner) to have the belt changed on my 406. This was from an independent PSA specialist that I trust - not a franchised dealer. Would have thought your 309 would be a bit less.
Phil T
|
Apologies Chris - That last post should have been addressed to David!
Phil T
|
|
|
|
The only way to be reasonably certain it won't fail is to get it done. Otherwise you're indulging in the automotive equivalent of russian roulette.
Would you happily continue to use perished tyres? Time-expired timing belts fail at all sort of times and in all sorts of places and circumstances .
David
|
|
|
David
A cam belt is most likely to fail when you start the engine. This is due to the inertia of the camshaft and valve train putting the most strain on the belt. Once it's up and running the strain is usually a bit lower, but don't take this as a licence to leave it. 74K from a belt is usually moving into danger territory.
Ian
|
|
Ian's right. A belt on the point of failure is more likely to fail during a change of engine speed than it is when everything is 'spinning over'. Most of the snapped belts I've replaced failed at traffic lights or junctions.
|
|
|
|
|
If it's the 1.1 or 1.4 engine, cambelt change should be very easy (unless PSA put obstacles in the way which aren't present in a Citroen AX which has the same engine). Well within the capabilities of any half competent DIYer.
|
I had a cam belt snap on my Pug. 305 at 109K. The engine had been making a slapping sound for the previous 30 miles. I was lucky, the belt went at about 30mph and the car just coasted to a halt. No engine damage at all, - are the 1600cc. Pug. engines immune to valve damage?
I recently bought another younger 305 to replace Old Faithful (saying goodbye to her in about three weeks time at 297K,- anyone interested in a sweet, reliable replacement engine, 60K. FOC?)
Regards,
P.
|
|
It's the design of the engine that dictates the amount of damage an engine will sustain. If the head has a combustion chamber with valves situated away from the piston crowns, the chances are that the valves won't hit the pistons. However many engines now have a design whereby if the valves suddenly stop because the belt breaks, the pistons continue moving, hitting the valves, bending them, and probably smashing the camshaft. Probably more damage in diesels than in petrol engines.
|
|
|
P,
That Peugeot 305 1.6 (as with all Peugeots) is classed as an interference engine where damage is likely to happen. You were lucky then.
David
|
|
|
|
|
![2021 BMW X1 xDrive 20i [178] xLine 5dr Step Auto](http://images.honestjohn.co.uk/imagecache/url/crop/90x60/https/cdn.uk.prod.group-mobility-trader.com/images/cas/859de303a4748eaa8c8203640e152da9/ff016c7d9f564e040060d21c42f174da.jpg)
