My Mum's Clio is now 10 years old, although it has only done about 45,000 miles (nowadays less than 1000 miles a year.) It's just coming up to MOT time and because it's never had a replacement belt I've asked the garage to replace the belt before doing the MOT. They tell me, however, that it is a pig of a job on the Renault diesel. The 'book' time is 4 hours, but they seem to recall it took them about 6 hours the last one they did. Now, I have to say that this garage we use for MOTs is 100% trustworthy.I have never actually come across any other garage that equals them for honesty and reliablility, so I don't doubt them for a moment on this.
Could someone please explain to me why this engine is particularly awkward. I imagine an engine mounting has to be taken off at one side, but even although, 6 hours seems an eternity!
Graeme
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Ah the Clio engine.
I did a change on the 1.9D engine about 18months ago. I'd say 6 hours is including a lot of tea breaks as it took me 5 hours, first time round. Sold it now so never have to do that again!
Reason its awkward - no room to move about in that bonnet, and involves getting into positions nature didn't design me for!!
I'd say try a mobile mechanic - about £100 should cover the cost - but make sure they use a decent belt!
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Agreed - not nice belts to do.
You could do 3 XUD belts in that time...
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I have a Scenic with the 1.9 diesel engine, which is now due a cambelt change by time rather than mileage. Local garage advised me that it is a pig of a job and better to take it to a Renault dealer as it will probably end up being cheaper! This is because the dealer should be familiar with the job whereas the local garage don't do that many Renault diesels and could end up having a few problems (!). The dealer quote is somewhere in the region of £250 inc parts and VAT, so is it really worth trying to save, say £50, by getting someone unbfamiliar with a difficult job to take it on? I suggest not, and that it would be better to get a dealer to do it - unless you can find an independent Renault specialist who is happy to take on the work (i.e. they give you confidence that they have done this type of job before).
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Thanks everyone. So it is just a matter of poor access. We've booked it in at the MOT garage now anyway, so will just have to leave them to it. They maybe will take a bit longer, but their rates are reasonable and they're very conscientious. They know the engine (too!)well and have done others recently so should be fine.
I was tempted to try it myself with the aid of my (t)rusty Haynes but although I've stripped engines and gearboxes in the past I've never actually changed a cambelt! Daft I suppose, but I just have this dread that I might set it a tooth out and cause grievous bodily!
Will let you know how things work out.
Graeme
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Graeme,
Have you asked them to change the water pump while they are at it? The pump on my son's diesel Clio seized, snapped the belt and wrote off the engine (broken camshaft, etc).
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Incidentally, a respected mechanic advised that a common cause of water pump seizure is poor maintenance of the coolant additive (anti-freeze). This probably applied to my son's car as this had a slow coolant leak and he had been topping up with plain water for several months.
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Any idea how much I should expect to pay for a cambelt change on my Xsara 1.9TD? It's at 68k right now and is due a change shortly. I've been told that this engine is a pig to change and I should have started saving a long time ago - is this true?
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Sorry David, don't really know. If it's as awkward as the Clio, you're probably looking at 4 hours+ at maybe £40+ an hour with parts on top of that.
I do remember having my (petrol) Xantia done about 5-6 years ago and I think it was in the region of £120 then but that's not much of a guide because I don't think the petrol Xantia was particularly difficult.
Graeme
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David,
Don't worry, the XUTD cambelt is not really worse than any other, and is considerably better than the Renault one by the sound of it! Usually reckon on about £120 (3 hours), depending on where you are - if you're anywhere near Exeter, DL's outfit does them for £99. More of course if it needs a new water pump, but this doesn't often seem to be the case at the first change. Tensioners on these engines are pretty bullet proof too, so no need to spend loads on getting it changed either.
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RichardW
Is it illogical? It must be Citroen....
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Sorry to drag up this thread again, but could you tell me who "DL" are? I do live near Exeter but have never heard of them.
Many thanks,
David.
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I'd have a guess it's DL as in "DL" who is a poster on this very forum/thread.
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Adam
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I didn't actually Dizzy, although I know the coolant has been regularly changed using Comma coolant (the type that comes ready mixed with distilled water, similar to Renault's own coolant.) I've always used this type in Renault systems and never had to change a pump, hose or anything else.
I might mention it to the garage yet, though, because there's been a slight technical hitch! My sister's Xantia failedits MOT today on drop links and a steering boot, so she's borrowed my Mum's Clio until I get the Xantia sorted out. Been busy all afternoon removing old drop links (with angle grinder - but don't tell Mr Haynes!)
Graeme
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