About to buy the car...

[lionyo]

Hi,

Guys just found the car that fits the needs for my Dad we are happy about everything and are planning to go and view it on Monday but one thing that keeps on coming to my mind is that when I asked the seller about the service history he said it has a Full Service History upto 72k and doesn't know wheather the cambelt was replaced or not so when I buy the car I will have to carry out an major service as the last service was done at 72k and the next one should be at 84k the car is currently on 83k and when I buy it I will have to carry out an full service and also I will have to run the risk of driving the car back 85 miles in the fear of the cambelt being snapped any minute... what are your views should I stop worrying that the belt will snap and buy it or should I let this one go

[stealthe]

Don't worry about the cambelt, I regularly run mine past the recommended mileage (90-100k). My sister has a n/a 1.9d Citroen and has suffered a broken cambelt twice, both at over 140k (second time needed the c/h replacing). Get it done at the next service, I usually do both belts, tensioners and water pump.

stealthe

[swiss]

It won't just automatically snap as soon as you hit the proscribed mileage. The service intervals have a degree of leeway built in.

When you go for a look, inspect the belts. If they look like shite then don't bother but if they look respectable enough to you, drive the bugger home and do your service.

[steve_earwig]

They don't know if the belts have been done but it's got FSH up until they got it? Did they service it at all? How long ago was this service, I'd be checking the paintwork, especially the front of the bonnet, brake disks and the interior to verify the mileage as that's a very curious state of affairs. If it looks ok you still have to assume it's not been done and adjust the price accordingly. As mentioned, people do go a long way over the recommended cam belt interval with no issues, I presume this is another HDi so it won't even kill it if the belt does go.

[turbolag]

"Full service history" usually means anything but. Go through it scrupulously and it's odds on you'll find at least one service late by either time/mileage, one or more missing, an A service done when it should have had a C, brake fluid not changed when it should if it isn't a standard service item on the major service, etc, etc. It can be very demoralising for a seller when you find such a discrepancy, and can then make a good money off point as they get this daft wave of releief that you still want the car and will then lose all resolve and agree to silly things.

If in doubt, just do the belt. I'd never let one over run, but then I've done a few over the years on cars that hadn't even got to the first interval before snapping. For what it costs, why lose any sleep over such a small sum?

The golden rule is if you're not happy for any reason, even if you're not sure why, then just walk - unless you're feller is after a Hispana Suiza or something, there will always be another one, better and cheaper, if you have the resolve to hang on and go find it.

Good luck.

[FarmerPug]

Just check the belt make sure it is not frayed cracked or discoloured, and just feel its tight enough, and change it when you get the chance.

[steve_earwig]

"Excuse me a moment while I take the timing belt cover off..."

[Welly]

When I bought my Mazda MX6 with it's V6 24valve engine it was 8 years old and had only 45000 miles on it. However it had never had the Cambelt changed at its recommended (5 yearly) interval. I had to drive the car 70 miles back home with a 3-year over due belt

Had the belt changed 2 days later and the old one that came off was absolutely perfect

The HDi's belt take a nice easy route compared to some but it is recommended to change it at 96K or 5 years. Always change the water pump whilst your down in that department too, for what little extra it costs. Get them to check the condition of the bottom pulley also.

A 'full' service will only be oil and filters really but have the coolant gently flushed and changed (linked to water pump job above).

[turbolag]

Most belts strip teeth or shed chunks off the running surface rather than actually snap. There's no way to inspect for this without removing the belt and bending it the opposite way to check the base of the teeth for cracks, but by the time you actually have the belt off...

[lionyo]

Thanks for your inputs...

So is this what I need to carry out a cambelt change

TIMING BELT TENSIONER
TIMING BELT ROLLER
TIMING BELT KIT

Also which coolant is recommended to put in and also which oil should I use was thinking of Castrol or Shell helix?

Is their anything else I should consider changing such as the water pump etc.

[turbolag]

The timing belt kit should come with the idler and tensioner pulleys. It's a good idea to replace the bottom pulley (harmonic balancer) at the same time.

If there's any doubt over the state of the coolant mix, then change the waterpump too. As the lads said, it dinnae cost a lot so you might want to do it anyway for the peace of mind.

[lionyo]

Well this was the car I went to look at http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2003-53-Peugeot-4 ... 563d6e23b2 and what a complete waste of time it needed far too much work the clutch was weak, rusty exhaust box which will need replacing soon, front bumper was resprayed looked like someone did the spray with spray cans , passenger foglight needed replacing, the car tank was on reserve and the onboard computer showing 0 miles and the whole car had dents in nearly every panel but this didn't worry me too much but saying I was dissapointed is an understatment!

[Captain Jack]

Wow - 3K! Didn't think they went for that much... Wanna buy mine? A year older and has 10k more miles on the clock but is an "exec" model with full leather seats and all other toys. And I can tell you every fault I had with it... or you can just search the forums

[lionyo]

Wow - 3K! Didn't think they went for that much... Wanna buy mine? A year older and has 10k more miles on the clock but is an "exec" model with full leather seats and all other toys. And I can tell you every fault I had with it... or you can just search the forums

They wanted £2,600 for it mate... Yes please I'd love to buy yours, just sending you a PM

[steve_earwig]

What, selling your new one already CJ? What happened, is the ashtray full?

ps.s would you take px on a Honda Accord?