Knowing when a cambelt is due

[Rocky Rocastle]

With a lot of threads recently being about cambelts it actually got me thinking about mine and if it is due. I was under the impression prior to buying my LCR about a month back that a change was due after 5 years or 60k, which ever was first. However, now that I understand it is 4 years it leads me to could it already have been done, i never asked as i didn't think it was required . Therefore it brings me to the question, is there a way of telling if it has been done. I was told that there isn't really, is that right.

Thanks for any help

 

[BoomhaueR]

I think up until recently it was 5 years or 60k. But now it's 4yrs or 60k.

You can do a visual check for the condition of the belt etc, but other than that there's no way of checking when it was done other than service history I believe.

 

[Rocky Rocastle]

I thought you could do a visual check but a guy at ABP Motorsport told me not really to go off this as it would look the same really unless it's really new and it would have little markers on it

 

[adm013]

I believe it's to be done at 60k, but as with a lot of things they should be checked regularly, that way you can keep a track of its condition.

The thing to look for apart from obvious damage is hairline cracks in the belt especially in between the teeth. Bests way is to loosen the plastic cover and give the belt a twist so you can visually see the the other side.

Hope this helps

Andy

 

[JamJay]

Is it really 5yrs or 60k? I have a 2003 LCR and it's still in the 20k's.

 

[LCR_Tom]

i was confused about this, mines a 2004 done 37k so wondered weather to change the belt. i rang 4 different seat dealerships and all said 4 years or 60k

 

[vee_dub_modder]

I do mine every 4 years 40k (if i ever see that milage) to be safe as doesnt hurt to treat your car now and again, also service it 3 times a year -- working in a dealer helps on cost there!
the books recommend the belt checked at 40k and every 10k after or something like that but from experience... unless it looks shagged and is coming apart (which they never do) you cant tell!
better to safe than sorry and spend a couple of hundred every four years then pay 1000 for ignoring it! Besides, most peeps wont have a car long enough to change it more than twice anyways??

change the water pump at the same time as it'll cause the same fault if it fails!

 

[zzapp]

I am so confused ..
I phoned my seat dealer (Sweden) and he said I only need to replace at 100K ..He could not find anything about the age on the cambelt..weird?!?! have they change it again?
mine is a LCR 2004 with 25K..

does sound a "little" weird...

 

[DOLBY]

i was told that the later LCRs needed the cambelt 5 years or 80k...as the earier ones required 4 years or 60k....dunno if any truth in that but mine is getting done next month and mine is only on 32k

 

[zzapp]

Yeah..thats what a thought..5 years or 80K.
and he told me it would cost about 800£

i think that i am going to look at the cambelt and see if it needs to be replaced before i spend that kind of money.. damn stealers!!

 

[DOLBY]

well saying that i was quoted £792 from one place and £510 another lol

 

[zzapp]

was it not privat garage?? stealers!?? hhmm why am i not supriced..

 

[techie]

I did a service, cambelt and water pump inc the hydraulic damper for £400 on apes lcr.

 

[zzapp]

i phoned the dealer where a bought the car and they would charge about 600£

 

[Calyx]

I just recently had mine done. New cambelt kit, water pump and coolant/anti-freeze. £355 including labour

From a very reputable garage in hampshire as well.

 

[Beta]

well just put a deposit down for a '02 with 68k on the clock, loved the drive! the dealer said he can't see that the cambelt has been changed but it should last upto 115k and should be checked every 10k.

i don't think i'll leave it that long, but how come he's telling me 115k and other say 60k??

didn't really fancy forking out another 400quid this early on for a cam belt change!

 

[Calyx]

Woah! I wouldnt drive it out of that garage either without them doing it or knocking £400 off the cost for you to do it!

It needs changing every 4/5 years (depending on who you listen to) or 60k end of story. If yours has done 68k and it has no record of being done chances are it hasn't... Id consider your options now mate

 

[RS6]

Just had mine done, its worth changing the aux belt to at the same time, i also decided to get the TIP fitted at the same time might as well, while everything is off my cars done 48k now i know its sound i can drive it properly

 

[Calyx]

Thats one thing i never had done that i maybe should have (aux belt) however to change it now i cant see being very expensive as its easier to get to than the cambelt i believe?

 

[SCupra]

Got my cam belt done yesterday along with the water pump and all the bits that come in a cam belt kit, done the fan belt too, all in cost £400 from my local private garage.

I had a look at the parts that came off and they looked fine, but I guess you never know and best get done at the correct milage/years.

Mine had done 68k and is 7 years old.