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Cambelt replacement on the cheap?

DPJ

...........
Dec 13, 2004
7,996
2
NN Yorks / Salento
www.seatcupra.net
Thinking of just replacing the cambelt without replacing tensioners etc?

This little roller was making a bit of a noise - and had made quite a mess of the cambelt (which fortunately had not actually snapped).

Not from a 1.8T by the way - 1.6 16v.......

P1000881.jpg

P1000882.jpg

P1000883.jpg
 

Fl@pper

Back older greyer and less oilier but always hope
Jun 19, 2001
12,368
25
Gloucester
for what it costs just to do the job anyway even in time if DIY i would bever replace just a belt

the only tensioner i have ever left on was a Ford V6 hydraulic one and even then we replaced the pulley it was pushing on
 

jwfcms

Active Member
Sep 14, 2008
384
1
UK Yorkshire
so even though you have proof of the roller nearly doing damage to the cambelt which could have easily broken and if it had been the tensioner it would of done more damage, then your looking at top end engine rebuild, head gasket, timing belt kit, gaskets, labour etc you would still rather skimp and just change the belt alone. If that roller has gone like that the tensioner isnt going to be any better and wont last the life of two cambelt changes. cheap quotes are for just the belt only which isnt a proper job. if you are willing to skimp on the extra rollers/tensioners in the kit then its your own fault if it causes engine damage from any component failure. sake of 80 quid for a OE quality kit probably cheaper for 1.6 could cause hundreds of £ worth of engine damage..
 

DPJ

...........
Dec 13, 2004
7,996
2
NN Yorks / Salento
www.seatcupra.net
so even though you have proof of the roller nearly doing damage to the cambelt which could have easily broken and if it had been the tensioner it would of done more damage, then your looking at top end engine rebuild, head gasket, timing belt kit, gaskets, labour etc you would still rather skimp and just change the belt alone. If that roller has gone like that the tensioner isnt going to be any better and wont last the life of two cambelt changes. cheap quotes are for just the belt only which isnt a proper job. if you are willing to skimp on the extra rollers/tensioners in the kit then its your own fault if it causes engine damage from any component failure. sake of 80 quid for a OE quality kit probably cheaper for 1.6 could cause hundreds of £ worth of engine damage..

What on earth are you on about?

The point of this thread was to show a failed roller and to remind people it is false economy not to change them when the cambelt is changed.

If you've read anything I do, you'll see I do things thoroughly...........
 

DPJ

...........
Dec 13, 2004
7,996
2
NN Yorks / Salento
www.seatcupra.net
Ah no, it's 4dam's - a sometime member on here.... ;)

The Fiat is not yet replaced.

I sorted 4dam's car for MOT and dropped it off earlier in the week. When I went back, they said it had failed - on...
*Massive front brake imbalance
*handbrake staying on after release
*1 tyre

On the fail sheet, they'd put price to fix (something this place had never done to me before)

The tyre was borderline but the brakes suprised me - it pulled up perfectly in a staight line with a great pedal every time.

I took the car home and stripped all the calipers off to check for uneven wear and that the pistons operated fine - no probs. No handbrake sticking. Went and got a tyre on and took it back for retesting.

The guy looked at the tyre, mumbled as he looked at each wheel - and disappeared.

10 minutes later, he appears with a pass certificate. Make of that what you will - They're off my list of testing stations now. [:@]
 

Andrewcupra TDI

Resident Desk Jockey
Apr 30, 2008
3,282
2
in the mountains ( Wales )
TBH i read it as though you were seeking advise on doeing on the cheap ,

would have made it clearer if it were # If Your Thinking of just replacing the cambelt without replacing tensioners etc? Think again
 

Willie

LCR Track car
Aug 6, 2004
8,939
1
Sunny Scotland
Ah no, it's 4dam's - a sometime member on here.... ;)

The Fiat is not yet replaced.

I sorted 4dam's car for MOT and dropped it off earlier in the week. When I went back, they said it had failed - on...
*Massive front brake imbalance
*handbrake staying on after release
*1 tyre

On the fail sheet, they'd put price to fix (something this place had never done to me before)

The tyre was borderline but the brakes suprised me - it pulled up perfectly in a staight line with a great pedal every time.

I took the car home and stripped all the calipers off to check for uneven wear and that the pistons operated fine - no probs. No handbrake sticking. Went and got a tyre on and took it back for retesting.

The guy looked at the tyre, mumbled as he looked at each wheel - and disappeared.

10 minutes later, he appears with a pass certificate. Make of that what you will - They're off my list of testing stations now. [:@]
Bet they charged a retest fee as well, they can charge the price of a full test, its a scam
 

jwfcms

Active Member
Sep 14, 2008
384
1
UK Yorkshire
thought you ment in your first line as in You were thinking of replacing it without tensioners etc. now i see that you were actually asking the question not for yourself but the question was to ask the reader if they were thinking of it...

Sorry about that but obviously we are in the same boat and know what the implications are of not doing the job right
 
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