Hello,

 

I got an old Fabia Mk 1 - 1.9 TDI - 12/2000 - 401 000 km

I changed the timing belt at around 240 000 or 260 000 km, 7 years ago.

 

Yes, I know... Should have changed it a while ago!

 

But I had some issues with the gearbox leaking and the steering pump, which I fixed, and thought it was only temporary and too expensive to repair... Until I would simply replace the car if it occured.

But the car still rolls like a charm!

 

So I did a visual inspection this weekend, to know if I should really replace it.

And I really don't know...

 

Could you tell me what you think about it?

Is it clearly about to crack?

It seems really "gummy" but no tears.

 

Keep in mind that the car has a lot of weak points, like the clutch becoming a little weak, expensive to repair, that's why I did not do it, and won't if it could keep up for 2 years.

 

Thank you :-)

Forgot to say : no weird noises or anything coming from the timing belt. Everything turns fine.

It seems well aligned anyway, perhaps without tears, but this "gummy" condition makes me wonder.

I'd get some quotes from some local garages and see what the best price is.

Then balance that cost against what it would cost to buy a replacement engine or vehicle quickly if it did strip some teeth and damage the engine beyond repair.

Unless it is really obviously cracked it is very difficult to accurately asses the condition of a cambelt. The fact it is way past it's recommended interval I would say replace it.

It looks horrible, replace it.

just drive it until it goes bang, the car is worth almost nothing so just drive till destruction I say

Quote

, the car is worth almost nothing

In money terms perhaps but think what would happen right now if you took your carkeys and flushed them. How would your next few days go? Probably be seriously difficult but on the other hand if you were thinking of buying a new car this weekend then not a problem.

Timing belt is on its last legs.  Change it.

Edited 9 September, 20196 yr by LB123

Cost of the cambelt vs changing the car

The value of a car is in it's utility, not what salesmen tell you it's worth in order to persuade you to spend your hard earned money on a 'better' car!

Thanks for your replies... It exactly defines my dilemma 

 

If it was the only thing which could go wrong with this car, I would have already replaced it.

I just had to replace the alternator, which pumped 3A of current while the car was off, and it was a pain in the ass (but I have good assistance contract).

 

But the shock absorbers are worn out, the steering pump has been repaired a long time ago with a flood of WD40 in the circuit board, the rubbers on the suspension triangle start to make some noise on big accelerations (classic problem) and the clutch has 400 000 km... If I pay 600€ to get the timing belt changed and then the clutch fails in 3 months, what's the matter doing it 😢 I would end up paying 2k€+ for this old car.

 

But yeah, a car that does not lose any value, by now!

So I "win" 1k€+ per year keeping it...

 

Really hard dilemma...

I always thought I will keep it until it cracks, get the 8 days of rental vehicle from my insurance to get a new one, and done.

But now I wonder.

 

Anyway, you see the point.

Classical one...

 

That's why my only question is :

Could this timing belt keep doing its job for one or 2 more years? Did you already replace belts which were much more worn out?

Perhaps someone already left a belt in his 1.9 TDI for 300 000 km?

Can I test it? I saw some guys saying to pinch it a little bit, and see how it reacts (should leave a little mark for a few seconds).

It sure looks awful. The "gummy" look could indicate that it will not break apart, but perhaps loose some teeth first? Making huge noise, and then I would "just" have time to shut the engine down immediatly?

 

Regards,

philmae

 

timing belt goes you have no time, it is game over.

 

with the list of faults you are describing and at 400k km's I wouldn't throw another fiver at it personally, I would drive it until it goes boom 

I agree, drive it into the ground.