Is it necessary to change the cambelt of my vauxhall astra?

vauxhall astra 1.4 has done 30000 miles and is four years old. have been quoted 375 +service charge which comes out to about 500 pounds.





is it safe to wait another year?


thanks|||It'll cost a whole lot more if it breaks. It will probably last, but Vauxhall recommend the mileage between changes so you're better off changing it...|||Buy a Haynes manual and do it yourself and go away for the weekend on what you saved.|||if the cam belt goes you're looking at a bill of about 拢2500


astras are well know to have cam probs, depends how you drive it but I wouldent chance it|||there usualy done at around 50 - 60,000 miles. dont do it yourself if you have no idea. the cam(s) need to be locked off. if you get it wrong its the same as a snapped belt. say goodbye to your engine. four years is about when I would ghange if I had not done 50,000.|||You can leave it up to 50000 miles with saftey . tjhe price you quoted is far in excess of the correct price more 拢180 to 拢230 , i wouldnt visit that garage again astras are one of the easier belts to change|||If you have a "non interference" type engine which is not damaged if the belt breaks, then you can just wait until the belt breaks with no ill effects!|||Your belt should be replaced every 4 years or 40000 miles which ever comes first in your case its the year. Therefore I advise you to replace the belt ASAP because if it breaks you will damage all your exhaust and inlet valves which will be a very expensive repair .IT IS NOT SAFE TO WAIT ANOTHER YEAR.|||I was always advised to change a cambelt at around 35,000 miles to be on the safe side. Regarding a DIY job you need to know what you are doing and understand how the engine functions. It is important to ensure that the valve timing is correct and that the belt adjustment is right. Too tight will cause noise and eventually lead to bearing failure, too loose and the belt might come off which is the same as belt snap leading to valves being bent and smashing through the top of the pistons. An expensive job so have the belt changed as soon as possible. Shop around for quotes.|||Hi





In a word, no! The belt change is not only mileage oriented, it is also time oriented, and the time is 4 years, so it is not at the mileage limit yet but it is at the time limit, so leave it another year at your own risk!





Best regards





Geordie|||拢500 pounds is way over the top for that type of car.


I run a garage in the NE of England and the most we would charge for that type of job would be about 拢200 that would be replacing the belt and all the pulley's and tensioner.


the interval for that type of car is 40000 or 4 years.


I would change it now to be on the safe side.|||Diy it take the cam belt cover off and get in about it.