Hi. I was just thinking that it might be about time I changed the timing belt on my wife's 2009 1.3 Multijet but I noticed a thread suggesting it will have a chain rather than a belt. Is anyone able to confirm it is indeed a chain? It would be nice to have a positive feature to counter the damn particulate filter

The 1.3 multijet diesel has a chain.

There have been a few breakages, usually at high mileages, and these usually destroy the engine. But before you panic, causes are mostly related to tensioner, which is affected by oil supply. It is likely that a poor servicing regime would contribute to failures.

I'd also be surprised for a chain to break unless it was already making nasty noises.

Change the oil at the prescribed intervals.
Listen to it frequently. The radio volume control does go either way.

It's only done 50k+ miles so it's low mileage and serviced regularly, so now I know it's a chain I can relax about it. I was only concerned when I thought it was a belt and over 7 years old as I know age is a contributing factor as well as mileage for belt failure.

Thanks for the reassurance ?

portland_bill said:

Listen to it frequently. The radio volume control does go either way.

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Ha Ha, you know when you're getting older when one finds this,, I might be 50 but have a 280W rms set up in my Mazda

If out of warranty there's no reason not to change the oil more often, some say its not environmentally friendly but driving is not anyway.

heraldsteve said:

It's only done 50k+ miles so it's low mileage and serviced regularly, so now I know it's a chain I can relax about it. I was only concerned when I thought it was a belt and over 7 years old as I know age is a contributing factor as well as mileage for belt failure.

Thanks for the reassurance ?

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The chain is fairly lightweight..
Failures tend to be in the 80 to 130 k mile region.

The top valve gear has sacrificial elements. Parts are around 250 quid.

Chain is awkward..labour intensive to change.