The old question about when to change your cam belt produces many varied answers ,one garage said every  20 k another mechanic said he has never seen one that looked like it was goin to break any time soon .

 

These pics are of the one taken out of my Ambient , it was last changed in 2005 at 59 k miles  , the pulley's and water pump were not changed and have done 120k  , make your own minds up . I have not had the car long , the previous owner just didn't do it , I think I got it done just in time.

 

The car seems to go better , there was some drag on one of the pulley's .

 

http://www.dropbox.com/sh/smm4jntik48yoc5/AADeVX7Jur9xAktrLxgvU3uva?dl=0

Edited 26 July, 201510 yr by Ambient7

That's been a lucky escape. I've had a cambelt go on me a few times, although to be fair none were particularly my fault. First time was a Vauxhall Astramax van I bought which had full service history and cambelt changed 10k miles previously (someone lied) and I said then I'd never take any ones word for the cambelt change. Second time was a works Renault van which went into the garage for a planned cambelt change, and 2 weeks later it shredded the new belt. Got it fixed, and a month later it shredded the second new belt. Got a new van.

 

Since then I've had the cambelts done on all my vehicles by either the main dealers or the local trustworthy garage just round the corner from me.

That was a bit lucky. As to the car "seeming to go better", the timing belt controls the fuel timing, and stretches with use, so the car is probably going better and using less fuel!

Buy a lotto ticket, you might be on a roll

The cam belt on my OH's Ford Galaxy (VW 1.9PD engine) was still original up to 9 years old and 80k on the clock. She had never had it changed due to a) not knowing what a cam belt is, and b ) not knowing they ever need changing!

Edited 28 July, 201510 yr by nick74

last failure I saw was a PUNTO   belt was fine and the pulley bearing collapsed  luckily the FIAT technology didn't run to interference fit valves  p.s. wasn't actually due for it's first change   

Would have got another 10k out of that lol.

I don't know why people scrimp when it comes to having the belt done, it's peanuts compared to when it does go wrong,

Also changing the belt and not the tensioners and rollers is beyond me.

Bet you will sleep better tonight.

Also changing the belt and not the tensioners and rollers is beyond me.

 

TBF some people follow manufacturer recommendations, and they don't always recommend changing pulleys and tensioners.

Just had mine done @76k my mechanic thinks it was original one, said i'd been lucky as the belt itself had a slit in it.

Mine's going in next week. I'll get him to save the belt so you can see pictures, it's worse.