maci

iTrader: (3)

Hi all,

Was wondering if I should replace my cambelt. I have a wrx from jan 2002 with 42k km on board. The car's first registration is 2004 actually, so since then it was started to be used, not sure if this matters or not.
I can't find any data regarding the change in my owners guide, but seems ppl around here say it is at every 60k(miles I think) or 4 years ?
I'm due to a big service at 50k, so wonder if I should wait till then with the cambelt change or not. I'm not driving so much, so this can be 6 month more.

Thx,
B.

nick_wrx

I'm in a similar position, 2002wrx ppp and its coming round to 45k and is just 4 years old - do i wait a little longer (higher mileage or get it changed at the 4 year interval)

Any idea of dealer prices anyone or better to use a cheaper independant garage for it?

Cheers

maci

iTrader: (3)

forgot to mention mine is also PPP, dunno if it matters.

ninjaguppy

for the sake of about £300 down at scooby clinic I would just get it done. Safe rather than sorry if you cant be 100% sure of its previous usage? IMHO anyway!

maci

iTrader: (3)

Well, I got the car in 2004 with 4k on it, so in the last 2.5 years it got to 42k. That is the history, still not sure if I should do it now or in 6 month.
Also another question: when the cambelt is changed, must the oil be chnaged too ?

jonnyh

No need to change the oil. The cambelt is fairly simple to change and I would not pay more than £100 in labour for it. £300 is IMHO taking the ****.

Lebarron

You should change the cambelt every 60,000 miles or 5 years. Whichever comes first. Its coming up for 5 years soon anyway so i would change it regardless of the mileage.

It doesn't matter if the car wasn't registered until 2004. If the car was maufactured in 2002 then thats how old the cambelt is.

Better safe than sorry.

I did mine myself and a agree withit was a pretty easy job

mikeswrx02

What about the new belt? How do we know when the belt is manufactured? ie what if its been on the shelf for 3-4 yrs !!! how does that work out???!!!!

maci

iTrader: (3)

thx for all the replys. It is booked for next week to get it done.
Quite expensive at dealer, but not much I can do about it. Better safe then sorry, like you guys say

maci

iTrader: (3)

Well, I only guess, but in the shops is stored in an appropriate place and condition(for eg pretty same room temperature). Once it is put on the car, even if the car is not used, the belt is under tension and is influenced by outside temp, so probably it does reduce somewhat the life of the belt. How much I cannot tell....and here it comes the "better safe than sorry".

Lebarron

You took the words out of my mouth. It is the fact that the belt has been uner tension for that period of time that will weaken it.