Cambelt change

[EKE Ibiza]

Hello,

My car has done 66k (1.4 cool/s) and it appears that its never had a new cambelt since new (2000) according to the service book. Had the AA round on sunday morning because my battery was dead (original battery as well) and he said from my description of a noise coming from the engine that my car could be a "ticking time bomb, get a new cambelt!".

I know practically nothing about cars, I do the typical thing and just kick the tyres.

I saw on a previous thread that from VW spares a cambelt is around £70 (plus labour at the garage) also in the thread was a water pump. Do i need to replace this as well?

Many thanks!!

 

[dan1990]

Always a wise choice to change the water pump as well as the cambelt on any car will save you grief and money in the long run.

 

[s1l3nc3r]

The water pump is normally done at the same time as a precaution. plus it has to all be removed when you do the water pump anyway or so ive been told (someone correct me if im wrong)

Also try and source one thats metal instead of plastic because the plastic ones the fins can break meaning you need a new one again.

 

[EKE Ibiza]

Cheers for the reply guys.

Working out the cost of a new cambelt, water pump plus MOT, service and Tax in Feb I think I'm going to look into getting a new car.

So far I've looked into Madza 2, Grande Punto, Ibiza, Corsa, Clio and Fiesta. Don't like the Madza at all, nor the clio and Fiesta. Going to test drive the other 3 in the new year. Really hoping i like the new ibiza but its nearly 3k more than a punto which is a massive factor.