Age of Cambelt

[Vaux-Man-G]

Hey all,

I have just had a new cambelt kit done my Vectra SRI CDTI 120 . First of all, I was quite p1ss3d to find out that they have fitted belts to the CDTI engines , as opossed to the Chain in the DTI-cant undertsand the logic in that---apart from Vx being money grabbing b4st4rds !

Anyhow, I have the old belt at home now (asked them to save it for me) and the roller and the old tensioner...., I was hoping to find out how you can tell the approx age of the replaced belt (may be a stupid question).

The reason I ask is that the belt that I have just replaced doesnt look all that old...im thinking its already had one done recently, hence I have got stung (but dont mind as its peice of mind) .

This may sound really daft as you cant tell the actual age, but im just curious becuase there must be some way of measuring the wear and tear on it to give an approxmination?

Thanks in advance!

[Big Sig]

No way of telling really. Also a lot on modern engines use belts and not chains. The belts tend to be a bit quieter, I very much doubt its a money grabbing excersise, more just for the development of the engine costs.

[Vaux-Man-G]

OK, sounds like a fair enough comment! Im not that chessed off about the repalcement belt as id rather do it even if it has been done coz you can never trust anyone with something so risky. Was just hoping of finding out if it had been done.

[Big Sig]

Only way i think is to call the garage who has done it. If its got full vx service history then maybe a call to them may tell you - if that was who did it.

[Vaux-Man-G]

Only way i think is to call the garage who has done it. If its got full vx service history then maybe a call to them may tell you - if that was who did it.

Well its got a full dealer history, printout and stamped book, but I rang them and they didnt do it. Problem is the dealers dont stamp for belt change. I bought it provately so am starting to think it may have been done by him. Is there any obvious signs of wear that would tell you if its fairly new or nay?

[big nath]

My vectra cdti is ready for a cambelt change what sort of price am i looking at from the steelers and should i be sitting down........

[Vaux-Man-G]

yes mate, stay seated ..... £281.39 +VAT, supply and fit! Another Vx dealer were asking £305.00 +vat, supply and fit. Mine cost in the region of about £470 all in all as I had a interim service done as well! Pain in the butt mate are these belts!

[big nath]

Thanks nice how the service and cambelt need doing at the same time ka-ching....

[Vaux-Man-G]

Thanks nice how the service and cambelt need doing at the same time ka-ching....

Exactly what I thought....could almost see the ££££ signs in their eyes!

oh well..its one of those things, rather cough up for the work than wait for the bleeder to snap on me!

[Vaux-Man-G]

My vectra cdti is ready for a cambelt change what sort of price am i looking at from the steelers and should i be sitting down........

Before you settle to get the kit fitted, shop around, you may be surprised how one vx dealer's prices vary from one to the other!