timing belt | Ask Honest John

Ask Honest John

Most recently answered timing belt questions

I've seen a car with 104k miles on it for sale for £1000, should I buy it?

I've seen a 2006 Peugeot 307 for sale for £1000. It has 104,000 miles on it. What do you think?

Does the water pump need changed with the timing belt?

My 2013 Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI needs needs a new timing belt this year. Should the water pump be done at the same time? My local garage has told me the the water pump isn’t driven by the timing belt....

What is a timing belt failure?

My 2006 Volkswagen Polo has done around 65,000 miles and is regularly serviced. While doing a long journey, the emission control warning light illuminated. Shortly afterwards the engine cut out and I managed...

I was sold a car with a false service history - where do I legally stand?

I recently bought a car. It was stated on service book that the timing belt had been changed and the service book was stamped, but I've now found out it wasn't. I've had it changed as a precaution due...

Is it usual for a belt tensioner to go off centre and shred the belt?

Is it usual for a belt tensioner to go off centre and shred the belt? This was the case with our Peugeot 3008 at 28,000 miles.

Would you be concerned about buying a high mileage 2014 Jaguar XF?

I'm about to spend some money my grandparents left me, but I'm worried that I might waste it. I need a secondhand car for my family and I've always wanted a Jaguar. I've found a 2014 Jaguar XF D V6 with...

What cars are still reliable over the 100,000 mile mark?

I'm looking for a cheap to run car which will be reliable, but over the magic 100,000 mark, as I do plenty of miles and don't want to crucify value. Ideally for about £2500. I do enough miles (12,000 plus)...

There's an intermittent noise coming from underneath my car - what is it?

I have a 2006 Kia Picanto, 58,000 miles. For the eight years I have owned it, it's has been more or less problem free. Now, after I've been going for about 10 minutes at reasonable speed, there is quite...

My son's car won't start - does the clicking noise suggest it's an issue with the starting motor?

I drove my son's car last week, a 2007 Volkswagen Astra (35,000 miles). I heard a loud squeal and then it cut out and I smelled something burning, which lasted 30 seconds. The first RAC guy tried to bump...