Ricko Posted August 17, 2017 Report Share Posted August 17, 2017 Hi, I'm just after some thoughts My everyday car is a 60 plate diesel Mondeo, during the last 18 months it's had a new alternator and battery, and I've fitted a new exhaust and rear pads. It's done 90k miles ands it's a bit scruffy. So overall it's not worth a huge amount. Should I get the cam belt done (I was expecting a bill of about 400 quid ish) and run it for a few more years (I do about 15k miles per year) or should I say sod it and not bother getting the belt done and take a chance on it? Your thoughts, as ever, are welcome Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluebarrels Posted August 17, 2017 Report Share Posted August 17, 2017 400 notes for peace of mind is cheaper than shelling out for another car,but that's only my opinion so change the belt and keep on driving it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
db135 Posted August 17, 2017 Report Share Posted August 17, 2017 Am sure the cam belt replacement intervals are 125.000mile or ten years which ever comes first on them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flyboy1950 Posted August 17, 2017 Report Share Posted August 17, 2017 I always recommend changing cam belts on diesels (even as a new car to you owner) even if they have been supposed to have been done only a few months before. When I was in business (the company I worked for) slashed its fleet repair bills by around 80% by changing them every year. Never mind the recommended mileage or time based intervals. At a cost of at least £1000.00 for a top end rebuild, (ten years ago) never mind the cost of recovery and maybe the hire of a vehicle to get home, I would rather pay the monies and be sure. Mondeo`s do not have "safe" engines" As you intend to keep the car a few more years and run about 30,000 more miles, spent money to keep it up together, I would say change it. There are no warnings, just total loss of power and an ominous silence, possibly in the middle of nowhere at 2 in the morning! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davyo Posted August 17, 2017 Report Share Posted August 17, 2017 (edited) Had it happen years ago in a Ford XR2 @ 42k mls (think at the time it was £65k change)as said no warning.If it says 100k miles to change belt,I'd be changing it it at 70k to be safe. Mine happened on the Bellingham road in the middle of nowhere.Fortunatly I had the mountain bike on the back lol. Edited August 17, 2017 by Davyo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flyboy1950 Posted August 17, 2017 Report Share Posted August 17, 2017 Just to add to the previous comments, please bear in mind that the recommended change intervals are only going to apply to belts that haven`t been subjected to constant high revs in low gears and also remaining free from cuts, cracking, oil and water leaks. Had a belt replaced a couple of years ago where the rubber compound failed after a couple of months and it dropped a number of ribs off the belt. Luckily I noticed the change in the engine sound. I do both my cars cam belts every 3 years regardless of the 7 year \ 120,000 miles that is recommended. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
db135 Posted August 18, 2017 Report Share Posted August 18, 2017 A must admit every car I've bought second hand I've always replaced the timing belts as soon as I get them. A bought a citroen 16valve years ago from a guy who was in army from Catterick garrison said he was also a mechanic like myself said he'd just done the timing belt a was like aww great well it had a oil leak behind the timing belt covers so I stripped it down to investigate well he hadn't changed the belt it had teeth off the lot how it hadn't snapped was more luck than anything a just thought why lie Thanks to my dad complaining about the car leaving oil drips on his new drive or I would of just took his work and it would have snapped on me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yod dropper Posted August 18, 2017 Report Share Posted August 18, 2017 If you had to replace your car, I'd guess with a newer vehicle, I bet the depreciation difference for one year would more than cover the work. Keep the old girl going. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scotslad Posted August 18, 2017 Report Share Posted August 18, 2017 I'm another who changers the belt as soon as I buy a motor. My mates dad sold a van a few years ago and the timing belt went on it shortly after, he felt terrible, not his fault and still 30K before it was due. He was a mechanic and had serviced/repaired that van since new before he bought. Just 1 of those things Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ricko Posted August 18, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 18, 2017 The quotes are coming in between 690 and 750, there's two belts that need changing and it's a labour intensive job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scotslad Posted August 18, 2017 Report Share Posted August 18, 2017 It all depends if ur happy to take the hit and scrap ur motor if goes. Like any older car/van u have to weigh up any money u spend and know when to pull the plug as once u start spending ur sort of committed.. A 7 year old car at 90k miles should still have a lot of life left in it, might depnd wot else it might need in the foresee ableandany thing u've already replaced Even at 750 only 250 a year over 3 years, quite cheap motoring assuming nothing else goes wrong but obviously cheaper if u keep it longer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul1966 Posted August 18, 2017 Report Share Posted August 18, 2017 The quotes are coming in between 690 and 750, there's two belts that need changing and it's a labour intensive job. i think on the ford engines they have a wet belt as well as the cam belt, but depending on the year the wet belt may be a chain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ricko Posted August 18, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 18, 2017 i think on the ford engines they have a wet belt as well as the cam belt, but depending on the year the wet belt may be a chain. You're right, it's two belts on this engine. It all depends if ur happy to take the hit and scrap ur motor if goes. Like any older car/van u have to weigh up any money u spend and know when to pull the plug as once u start spending ur sort of committed.. A 7 year old car at 90k miles should still have a lot of life left in it, might depnd wot else it might need in the foresee ableandany thing u've already replaced Even at 750 only 250 a year over 3 years, quite cheap motoring assuming nothing else goes wrong but obviously cheaper if u keep it longer That's a good way of looking at it, it's got to the stage where I'll do most easy jobs on it myself; brakes etc Three more years is a good benchmark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fse10 Posted August 25, 2017 Report Share Posted August 25, 2017 Had both belts & the water pump done on my 2008 mondeo £250 from a mobile fitter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hawkfanz Posted August 25, 2017 Report Share Posted August 25, 2017 while ford say 120k,if u go on talk ford forum the consensus is do it at 80k,i have an 07 mondi with 140k on the clock had belts done about 86k and will do them again about 160k if it keeps going,no reason not to lots of motorway miles on cruise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul1966 Posted August 26, 2017 Report Share Posted August 26, 2017 Had both belts & the water pump done on my 2008 mondeo £250 from a mobile fitter. thats a very good price, the parts alone would be about £150 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fse10 Posted September 2, 2017 Report Share Posted September 2, 2017 thats a very good price, the parts alone would be about £150 Is all he dose, had it done in just over 1.5 hours. So if he has two or three booked a day not a bad screw. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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