Mitsubishi Space Star - cambelt change -- tensioner and water pump?

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Fri 4 Mar 2011 21:49
Mitsubishi Space Star - cambelt change -- tensioner and water pump? - primeradriver

I'm going to get the cambelt changed on the Mitsubishi (Space Star, 4G18 1.6 engine, nothing too exotic), and priced up the belt/tensioner/pump at around £100 or so. Asked my local garage about it and they agreed that the tensioner and pump should be done at the same time, and quoted about £220 which is exactly the kind of money I was expecting (possibly a little less).

Just out of curiosity I called the local Mitsu dealer and, predictably, got a slightly silly quote of £460, including £104+VAT just for the pump. One thing that took me aback a bit was that they didn't seem to think that the tensioner and pump were necessary.

Sure enough, on looking back at the previous cambelt change (at 54K, the car is currently 108K so at the point where it's required again), at that point the belt was replaced but the pump and tensioner were not. This work was done by a main dealer (not the one I called today).

I did not ask, but I suspect that, given the prices I've been quoted for parts, the dealer would end up charging around £200 for the cambelt by itself.

The tensioners on these cars are metal so I can appreciate that they may well last rather better than the mid-90s Vauxhalls for example.

Now the question I'm now asking myself is, do I listen to my gut (and my local indie), or are Mitsubishi correct on this one?

I'm inclined to pay the extra £70-80 or so to get everything replaced but am curious now.

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Sun 14 Aug 2011 08:16
Mitsubishi Space Star - cambelt change -- tensioner and water pump? - dungareeJohn

HI I KNOW THIS IS A BIT LATE NOW BUT,

MY MIT HAS COME UP UP TO THE 50K, I LOOKED AT THE SERVICE SHEET AND NO PREVIOUS TO SUGGEST BELT HAD ALREADY BEEN CHANGED. BOUGHT "THE KIT" WHICH WAS A BELT AND A BIG FAT WHEEL BEARING.

80 SOBS JUST FOR THAT, GOT A LOCAL MECH TO CHANGE OUT WHICH WAS A PAIN AS THE ENGINE MOUNTING POINT PASSES RIGHT THROUGH THE MIDDLE OF THE TIMING BELT DOINGS, SO ENGINE NEEDS PROPPING UP AND BIG PERCUSSION POWER DRIVEN SOCKETS TO GET SOME SERIOUS NUTS LOSSENED, BIT OF PAINT TO MARK THE TIMING POINTS.

BUT IT WAS WORTH CHANGNG OUT BOTH ITEMS, HAIRLINE CRACK SEEN IN THE OLD BELT(IT ONLY TAKES ONE), AND THE IDLER BEARING SEEMED A BIT STIFF, PULLED OFF THE NEOPRENE SEAL AND ALL THE GREASE WAS DRIED AND CRACKED SUGGESTING IMPENDING SEIZURE, NOTHING IN MITSUBISHIS SERVICE MANUAL TO SUGGEST WATER PUMP NEEDED REPLACING.

HOPE THIS HELPS THE NEXT PERSON

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