Any way to Check if Timing Belt has Been Changed?

[wrec_]

I have finally turned 21 so now I can afford the insurance on a FR 1.8t I have found one in my budget with 80K on the clock and full service history.

However there is no mention of a timing belt replacement in the service history, which worries me as I had the timing belt changed at 60K on my A3 and it seems over due if it has not been done.

Is there anyway to tell if it has been done? I might be the case that the garage didn't make a note of it in the service book, however I doubt this is the case. Anyone have any advice or tips?

 

[ian_106]

If you have no paperwork to show its been done the only option would be to call the previous owner, as the car has a full service history you should fine the number somewhere.

PS I like to do a MOT history check on any car that I might purchase.

https://www.gov.uk/check-mot-history

 

[RUM4MO]

You know something, if that car is going to be your pride and joy, treat it to a new cambelt etc then you know what has been replaced on it, working on a quick phone call to someone that seemed to the previous owner and you don't know from "Adam" just does not seem to be the best way to do things.

As said before, if you have the service pack for that car, any proper service place would record that task maybe in the back pages of the service book.

 

[mgrays]

Timing belts are age related too.. not just mileage. I would say 10 years max?

You can see if the there are cracks where the tooth joins the belt when it is bend back on it's self e.g. around the idlers. Middle age ones will show this too but very new ones will not. Need to take top cover off which is fair bit of work. To be honest just do it, plus idlers and water pump. Better safe than sorry when you need an engine rebuild and it is a selling plus to the next owner.

I did mine at 80k miles / 7 years on a diesel (spins slower than petrol so last longer) and was going to do it again at 160k which will be 14 years old.

I suspect you can see the marks on the plastic top cover at the back as that is a right pain on the Dervs to put back on so it will have scratched etc if you look carefully.

 

[RUM4MO]

mgrays:- I agree with what you posted, but I think that the PD engines are the really hard ones on cambelts as they get a lot more work/load on them.