Cam belt

[sainz92]

when i bought my car it had barely any service history and the man didnt know whether the cam belt had been changed, how hard of a job is this to do on a sax and how often should it be changed? Also are there any signs before its about to go.
thanks.

[stevyj]

hi there are usually no signs to tell you if its going to go. check the belt to see if there are any splits etc. but get it changed for piece of mind if you dont know when it was done. haynes manual says every 80k in optimal driving but id say 40 to 60k to be safe unless its being thrashed a lot then a lot less. in relation to changing the timing belt buy a haynes manual and have a read and see if you feel competant enough to do it.

[ashpearse]

Get it changed as soon as you can if you dont know the cars history!!! Mine snapped after 3 weeks of ownership on my vts, cost £320 to put right (2nd hand head, gasketst and belt kit) and that wasnt including labour as i done the work myself

[Lewis]

Normally about £100 for a garage to do it

[saxo-parts]

Normally about £100 for a garage to do it

thats what we charge to supply and fit a Gates timing belt kit, so tensioner gets done at same time. Is it really worth chancing it for £100 or a couple of leisurely hours work on your drive.