Off Topic 26k/5years - replace cambelt?

[legine]

Chuffed recent owner (so far) 2006 1.9 Eleganza 26k. On checking handbook text suggests cam belt replacement at 50k or 5 years. Given the vast experience of the forum, am I on borrowed time?
The previous one owner did local trips and from what I can gather was fairly sedate - excellent condition does suggest this to be the case. If I do need a new cam belt, is there any other work that should/could be required while it's in pieces?.
I should have got the dealer to stump up for this before purchase - I'm now wiser if a tad late. Thanks in advance for feedback/suggestions.

 

[ChrisUK]

Yeah 5years is old for a rubber belt. Ever seen a 5 year old tyre?

Get the tensioner(s) done and the aux belt it should be part of the kit but make sure it's changed anyway.

 

[edwin884]

Yes. Change it. 5 years is 5 winters, 5 summers.... 26k miles is not much but it's time..

 

[kev78]

I did mine this year at 6 years and 70k miles and it was very tired. For peace of mind i did tensioners and water pump at the same time as these are the bits that will take the belt out if they fail(belts rarely go of their own accord). The water pump adds 20 minutes to the job and i was glad i did cos there was some play and noise in the bearing.
Timing Belt Kit with tensioner and idler
http://shop4parts.co.uk/?name=store&op=Details&ProdID=5523&sku=13486

Water Pump
http://shop4parts.co.uk/?name=store&op=Details&ProdID=670&sku=2413

I checked my auxilery belt and it was fine so it went back on.

 

[PuntoHowTo]

Definitely get it changed its not a change for the use it's for the deterioration of the rubber.

If its being changed make sure you get the water pump done as well we had the water pump die on our 1.9 HGT 6 months after the ac belt had been changed by the dealer, que 2nd new cam belt water pump and half the engine plastics that got damaged

 

[boilermansab]

Not changing the aux belt if silly while you are there and they are only £20..plus if it let's go it could take the cambelt out!
If its a jtd engine like that in a 2001 elx then its a piece of **** to do if u are good with your spanners! I'd make sure u have a day free though as things will inevitably go wrong..
Parts are
Cambelt kit that comes with tensioner and pulley , aux belt, water pump, aux belt idler pulley and aux belt tensioner pulley..parts come to about £ 200, I wouldn't bother changing crank pulley unless u want to but that's another £80 but on your milage it shouldn't be a prob

 

[x Alex x]

The joys of driving an 8v punto

Do the doblo mj engines have timing chains? The work van is 2007 so it won't be due yet though.

 

[ChrisUK]

The joys of driving an 8v punto

Do the doblo mj engines have timing chains? The work van is 2007 so it won't be due yet though.

I just used to carry a spare belt & toolkit in the boot when I had an 8v

And it's about time they started using chain drive on a lot more engines Even crappy Vaux Corsa's are chain drive (even the 1.0 L!!).