Timing belt

[shantybeater]

Hi guys I'm currently in the process of possibly buying a imperial blue 02 ibiza cupra. It's currently covered 61k and hasn't had its cambelt changed!!

I'm viewing it on sunday and was looking for some advice:

- how do you decrease the risk of the belt snapping? I assume driving slowly at low rev's is best?
- How can you tell if the belt has already slipped and bent the valves? I assume the car doesnt even run? or can it damage the engine but still run?

I've looked over the common issues thread to get a better idea of what kind of things to look for but can anyone give me further help, noises to listen for, general checks that should be undertaken on a cupra when buying one privately, signs of damage to the engine of turbo etc..

Any help would be greatly appreciated

 

[PhilW]

I've never heard of a belt slipping, so i wouldnt worry about that. And you'd know if valves were bent.

As for the mileage i changed mine at 75k and it looked pretty much like brand new so i wouldnt worry about that either.

Most people change them at around 60k, but according to your service book its a visual check only at this interval.

Check for clutch pedal brakeage, brake servo hose being changed. Ask about coil packs, air mass sensors and coolant sensors. If they havent been changed at some point they probably will have to.

 

[Ricardo_Smooth]

you cant really decrease the risk of the belt snapping, it will just do less damage if you drive slower at low revs. If the belt has slipped it wont run at all or will sound like a bag of nails in a hollow tube! just check for the usual rust and different colour shades on panels. oil all over the engine bay normally means there could be problems.

 

[shantybeater]

to be honest it looks like a fine example so hopefully it will be alright, but you never know with private sales!

Thanks for the replies, i'll make a checklist before I go including what you mentioned, very reassuring that you did yours at 75k phil, was this because you bought it at that mileage or you just didn't feel the need to change it?

 

[PhilW]

Just couldnt be bothered to change it really. Looked ok so i left it.

I've had the car for 50k now so i pretty much have been through most of the problems people have.

 

[shantybeater]

Can I actually see the cambelt from opening the bonnet, the engine cover isn't on if thats a help, what do you look for, for wear on it

 

[PhilW]

This is lookin from the drivers side wing. You need to take off the engine cover then the plastic cover to see the pulley and the belt.

 

[shantybeater]

thanks mate, i'll try and get a look at it when i view the car

 

[Black TDI Turbo]

lol good to see the special tool was used to check the timing then lol

 

[__B3NNY__]

I had mine changed on thursday along with the water pump, im only on 40k but apprantly its 60k or 5 years? im glad i done mine though as although the belt was fine the actual pump pepellor was in half , so could of ended up expensive.

Id personaly get it done along with the water pump for peice of mind.


David.