Cambelt replacement cost and other matters

Basically a bit of thinking aloud that I would be interested in any
pertinent comments.

The cambelt on my little used 97' 306 GLXTD 54k is overdue.

The MOT garage quoted £256+vat
3.9hrs@£45+£80.00 parts (3.4hrs if it were not a/c)

This seems high to me.

A small PSA specialist is offering a special offer of £120 inc VAT, can they
really be doing it this cheap.

I was a bit bothered by a tactic/policy used by my MOT garage. They rang and
said there was an increased chance it could go during the MOT because they
had to rev it hard during the emissions check and I had to give them the go
ahead and take responsibility if it went. I told them to go ahead and test.

I can see the logic in what they say about liability but just how hard and
long is the engine revved during such a test. If it did go would it just be
incredibly bad luck?

I will be getting the cambelt done but probably not by them and probably not
before the 'free' retest is due so comments might have some bearing.

 

On an MOT they do have to rev up the engine for a short period and if the
belt has been neglected then it can fail.

Most garages will ask when the belt was last replaced and warn you if they
think there is a risk of failure.

It is a good idea to give a Diesel a bit of a burn up or a good run before
the test as this is known to improve the emissions result. I drive for about
a minute in 3rd gear at 3500 to 4000 rpm. But not with a worn out cambelt!

Alec

 

Where i take my car for the M.O.T. they never rev it hard, they hold it
at 2-3000 rpm only for a short time.i got told by a pug garage that
there is no need to rev the engine at high revs,
from Chris Addlestone Surrey

 

The chap I use in Gloucester charges about that much. I think it was
even cheaper for the 106 and £120 for my Xantia. Citroen wanted £300
for the Xantia.

 

Thanks for the replies Alec/Chris/Malc.
It was enough to prompt me to phone my local peugeot dealer and have a chat
with the service dept.
I was told the test for my car could invlove running the engine at about
3500 for 3 or 4 mins.

3500 is about 93mph in fifth. I don't know how the strain equates but
decided on balance of needs/costs that I would risk it. I dropped by the
garage tonight to check a windscreen repair was adequate and the put it
through the re-test => pass. Phew.

Cambelt is booked with Mr Cheap next week. What else would I do £300 vs £120
from an established garage that specialises in this engine? Strange that I
think I would have felt easier had the offer been say £180.

Still proving allround to be an economical little car to keep.

 

I would be inclined to make sure they fit a genuine Peugeot cambelt,
even if you supply one yourself. I really don't trust any other make.
A lot of money to put the engine right if it goes prematurely.

 

That used to be the diesel test several years ago, but it was changed due to
the excess risk of breaking the belt. My MOT man refused to test diesels at
that time. The test now requires the engine to be revved up to near max
momentarily four or five times, and the average figure is taken. This is far
less dangerous for the belt.

If your Peugeot garage is insisting on using the old method, then how out of
date are they on other things?

As has been said, it is a good idea to take the car out to a quiet bit of
road and just put your foot down in second and leave it there for about 30
seconds. It clears all sorts of sh1t out of the system, ready for the
emmissions test.

 

I did feel like I was pushing his memory to come up with the above. It was
not exactly on the tip of his tongue so I would guess the actual method used
by this guy could be anything and he was trying to quote what he thought it
should be.

As it happens I may have been fortunate that they re-tested it just after I
had driven it several miles back from getting the last of the faults fixed.

I am feeling fairly fortunate allround as with just a small change in the
circumstances of who I talked to and when it could have cost me upto £843 to
get through this MOT and get the cam belt done. Instead it will cost me £273
in total.

(I did drop by gifts4life.org just to make sure feeling so pleased with
myself doesn't wreck my Karma)

 

OR PUT SOME OF THAT CLEANER IN THE TANK AND GIVE IT A RUN DOWN TO THE
COAST.OR ROUND THE M25?
From Chris Addlestone Surrey

 

I guess if you live on the coast it's doable (is the ozone good for your
emmisions then) but the M25 120 miles at 30 mph? plus getting to it in the
first place? sounds rather excessive and unnecessary. Sure you know what
your shouting about?

 

YES I DO