Drove upto Unit 18 yesterday for timing belt change (65,380miles). 

I joined the M1 at J10, the fixed speed limit of 60mph was in place, when it eventually ended i checked my mpg 41 !!.

When I left in a/noon on return journey checked again 34mpg, not so good but more fun.

 

This is the second cam belt change ive had done by Alistair and his Team. The first time was @ 38,169 miles. 

I have had the cam belt, water pump, aux belt, tensioner + damper, idler roller replaced (oem parts) on both occasions.

 

I have always been impressed by Alistairs attention to detail and his professionalism, (he heard a odd sound during road testing, investigated and found the hose on the drivers side (stupid two part clipped union) had come apart, fixed it, all good. 

 

If you want work done correctly then I would not hesitate in recommending them.

They are always very busy so please, serious enquiries only, answering calls take time.

 

http://www.unit18.co.uk/

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sounds good mate!

I've been to Ali a few times,he's a top bloke ;-)

One thing though mate.....why do the belt every 30k or so?

Sounds good mate!

I've been to Ali a few times,he's a top bloke ;-)

One thing though mate.....why do the belt every 30k or so?

 

Yes, I agree,

 

Re:  Your question, its not so much the mileage for me thats the issue.

 

I had the first belt change done 5 years ago and i tend to do mainly short trips now, so better safe than sorry.

Ah right,that explains it! Lol

Ah right,that explains it! Lol

My old dad bought his MK1 new in 2001 (ASV engine) it has now done 41k and NEVER had a cambelt done, he keeps saying "I should really get it done" but he either likes taking chances or is looking for an excuse to buy a new car...lol. Anyhow I would not recommend trying this but I dont think I would worry about going a few months over the 5 years (So long as you havent done the mileage) when his is 8 and a half years over (Nearly 14 years old) and still running!!

It's a bit of a lottery by all accounts mate!

I bet somebody somewhere has snapped a belt being only 1 mile or one day over.....and they were probably on the way to get it done! Lol

It's a bit of a lottery by all accounts mate!

I bet somebody somewhere has snapped a belt being only 1 mile or one day over.....and they were probably on the way to get it done! Lol

 

Cost of new belt v wrecked engine + inconvenience or worse......no brainer Lol 

Hows much was it? Need to get this done on mine

Hows much was it? Need to get this done on mine

 

Phone a main dealer to get a baseline cost ( what oem parts to change etc), then phone Jason or Alistair at Unit18 (if you plan to use them), and do a back to back price comparison. You will not be disappointed.

 

As you can see i tend to change everything, being a bit anal. At a bare minimum, timing belt, water pump and hydraulic tensioner, really depends on you. (I was there for about 6 hours, that included Alistair taking the car out for 2 test drives).

 

Good luck

Had an a company Escort van and it snapped .6 of a mile before its change mileage and it was already booked in for the job in 3 days time!

Had an a company Escort van and it snapped .6 of a mile before its change mileage and it was already booked in for the job in 3 days time!

 

Ouch !!!, did it do much damage or were you lucky?

Guessing I need mine doing?  When I got the car in June, checked in book, it had been done at around 38,000, will double check how long ago this was, probably about 4/5 years ago.  Done 70,000 now.

Guessing I need mine doing?  When I got the car in June, checked in book, it had been done at around 38,000, will double check how long ago this was, probably about 4/5 years ago.  Done 70,000 now.

 

Read post number 1,  7 and 10......... enough said.