Cam belt change interval?

ben · Post by **ben** » Tue Mar 20, 2012 8:25 am

'morning gents does anyone have a rough guide as to what mileage intevals cam belts should be replaced ?
This is on my n/a BX TXD .

citsncycles · Post by **citsncycles** » Tue Mar 20, 2012 8:45 am

I believe the recommended interval for this engine in a BX was 36,000 miles, although I'm happy to be corrected on this.

The interval for the same engine in the ZX was increased (I think) to around 60,000 miles, but this is close to the limit for these belts as I remember a rash of failures on cars that missed this change by a few thousand miles.

Dollywobbler · Post by **Dollywobbler** » Tue Mar 20, 2012 10:41 am

Gawd knows. On my Peugeot 306, it was 72,000 IIRC. I didn't leave it that long though. More applicable these days is a 5 year maximum. It isn't just mileage. 40,000 miles is probably sensible. I've a feeling that's what I had in mind with my last BX.

Caffiend · Post by **Caffiend** » Tue Mar 20, 2012 11:54 am

citsncycles wrote:I believe the recommended interval for this engine in a BX was 36,000 miles, although I'm happy to be corrected on this.

Dollywobbler wrote:Gawd knows. On my Peugeot 306, it was 72,000 IIRC. I didn't leave it that long though. More applicable these days is a 5 year maximum. It isn't just mileage. 40,000 miles is probably sensible. I've a feeling that's what I had in mind with my last BX.

Just to be really awkward, I thought it was on the service schedules at 48,000!

Post by **mat_fenwick** » Tue Mar 20, 2012 12:39 pm

I wasn't going to say anything as not 100% certain, but I reckon 48k miles/X years is what I've read too. I do have an Citroen service book so can find out what the official line was in 1993, if I can remember. I'm certain the recommended intervals changed with time - certainly the oil change interval for the diesels was initially 5k miles but later extended to 6k as (presumably) the number of engine failures were sufficiently low.

It's an obvious incentive to push the recommended cambelt change interval past the mileage limit of the 'inclusive free servicing' packages that were becoming common at the time...

ben · Post by **ben** » Tue Mar 20, 2012 1:23 pm

Thanks chaps ..just checked and it's done about 37,000 on this one in approx 6 years so think i'll definately get it done in the next 3000, this year at some point.

Oilyspanner · Post by **Oilyspanner** » Tue Mar 20, 2012 2:48 pm

I believe the belts have improved, so a modern one would probably be good for 90K .
It is a pleasure to do a cambelt on an N/A BX diesel, I am quite surprised at how much of a PITA it is on my 1.9TD Xantia considering the basic engine is the same.

JayW · Post by **JayW** » Tue Mar 20, 2012 3:25 pm

The best answer is: If you're asking or considering it, then just do it!

Service quoted mileages are based on very "standard" conditions generally set by lab testing but many things can affect your personal intervals.

Use, lack of use, cold short journeys, long motorway miles, good oil, poor oil, good maitenance, poor maintenance, quality of original belt, ambient temp between countries and a whole host of other factors.

Having a snapped belt last year on the TGD at 38k i'd say "frequently" or at least every 5 minutes

BX Meteor · Post by **BX Meteor** » Tue Mar 20, 2012 3:36 pm

It's incredible that they work anyway.

Take the head off and try turning the cam by hand

And when you translate that to rotational power, it must be a few HP that the belt has to sustain

My Honda 2.4 petrol iVTEC has a very nice chain instead

kiwi · Post by **kiwi** » Tue Mar 20, 2012 8:07 pm

While your changing it do the water pump as well. Saves on the labour costs at a later date as the pump is more likely to leak after being disturbed by the cambelt change.

btw, Harry Haynes says 36,000miles it is a matter of opinion though how often it should be done! After 36k your on borrowed time.

citsncycles · Post by **citsncycles** » Tue Mar 20, 2012 8:17 pm

I get the same problem with the GS - Haynes says to change it every 24,000miles, while the Autodata book I have says to simply readjust it every 12,000 miles and not change it! at 26k since the last change, and having to take the front of the car apart anyway to sort a leaky hydraulic pump, I'm doing them now, along with a couple of oil leaks

MULLEY · Post by **MULLEY** » Tue Mar 20, 2012 8:24 pm

Later diesels are 48k or 5yrs whichever comes 1st. I've only ever heard of quinton hazel cambelts breaking sooner than 48k.

Discoil · Post by **Discoil** » Tue Mar 20, 2012 8:45 pm

MULLEY wrote:Later diesels are 48k or 5yrs whichever comes 1st. I've only ever heard of quinton hazel cambelts breaking sooner than 48k.

Is 2004 when the belt was changed a little out of touch ?

MULLEY · Post by **MULLEY** » Tue Mar 20, 2012 10:07 pm

Erm, well overdue regardless of mileage tbh, they degrade due to age, so not worth the risk imho.

Post by **mat_fenwick** » Tue Mar 20, 2012 11:41 pm

kiwi wrote:Harry Haynes says 36,000miles

Interestingly (or not!) my Haynes manual gives 45k miles and 5k miles service intervals, changing to 6k after 1989. My 1993 Citroen service manual states 48k miles.