Thanks. I suppose I'd better check round the local garages - the quote I got was from the Peugeot franchised place and it wasMaz said:
Pete said:As it happens, I've got exactly the same query regarding my (1996) Peugeot 306 diesel. Except that in my case it's supposed to be done at 72000, I'm now on 74000. Trouble is, the car's book value is less than £1000 and the cambelt is a pretty expensive job. Still, cheaper than replacing the car, I suppose. Or breaking down miles from anywhere with a trashed engine. Advice?
fossyant said:ChrisKH - Nissan Primera's don't have cam belts - it's a chain - I have one and I know the 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0 petrols don't either - sure you don't mean an early diesel !
Chains generally last the life of the engine if properly serviced (i.e. you change the oil regular).
Cam belts life vary's from 30k to 60k - lots of new VW's are on 30k changes
Over The Hill said:Value of car is not linked to cost of upkeep. Your Pug engine has done 74k probably without a spanner being put to it. Pop a new belt on it and it will do another 74k easily. That is about the only job most engines need now days. If you did buy another car it would probably need a belt anyway.
I tend to get a new one fitted when I buy the car (old cars) as even if it says it was done you cannot be sure it was done in the past. It is good insurance and as you will probably see in the Honest John stuff the recommendations now are for it to be done at much shorter intervals.
Only 40 years ago engines would need a full rebuild at 70k now they will last the life of the car with an oil change and a cam belt.
Most are fairly cheap to do but on the Pugs the engine is so tightly fitted into the car that you have about half an inch gap in which to do the job so it takes a lot longer and you have to take some other bits off to get to it.