Cambelt - is a visual check possible?

BBmatic · May 9th, 2013, 13:54

Hi there,
I've recently bought a V70, 2008 around the 93k miles mark.

I haven't had time yet to perform a cambelt change although its due in the next 10k miles or so.
At short notice, I have to journey to the Netherlands early next week and probably have no time to schedule a service or replace cambelt etc. Though I will check oil levels/ tyres obviously.
Question: Is there a way of visually checking the cambelt to see if any undue wear is present? As I would feel more comfortable knowing it was likely to last another week or 2!
thanks if anyone knows..

ps: be useful also to know if the car likely to give me any warning of an impending cambelt failure, ie audible noise etc or do they simply fail with no warning? thanks

tc · May 9th, 2013, 16:56

If the belt snaps you wont get any warning, it'll just go. Although you could remove the Timing belt cover and look at the state of it you're not going to see much tbh. If I where going to drive that sort of distance I would make damn sure the timing belt was done BEFORE I went.

clivea · May 9th, 2013, 17:55

And include pulleys etc, plus the auxiliary drive belts should be changed as well, as if you get a failure there it can spoil your day too!

Backhill1 · May 9th, 2013, 19:34

What engine is it? If D5 then can belts not known for failure and not due until 108k so you can relax there.
More of a worry is we have the gash aux belt tensioner that fails, wipes out the timing belt and engine gone. This should have been done as a recall, 72k at the latest then 108k and then each 54k thereafter (many threads on this).

If you have dealer history you should just check aux belt and tensioner has been done then hammer on to 108k.

Cannot comment on petrol but no mention of Premature can belt failure on here or my stealer.

BBmatic · May 10th, 2013, 13:54

Thanks people - useful replies all. Its a D5 btw, I should have said.
Checking history ASAP but running out of time!

May 9th, 2013, 13:54	#1
BBmatic New Member Last Online: Aug 21st, 2014 18:32 Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: London	Cambelt - is a visual check possible? Hi there, I've recently bought a V70, 2008 around the 93k miles mark. I haven't had time yet to perform a cambelt change although its due in the next 10k miles or so. At short notice, I have to journey to the Netherlands early next week and probably have no time to schedule a service or replace cambelt etc. Though I will check oil levels/ tyres obviously. Question: Is there a way of visually checking the cambelt to see if any undue wear is present? As I would feel more comfortable knowing it was likely to last another week or 2! thanks if anyone knows.. ps: be useful also to know if the car likely to give me any warning of an impending cambelt failure, ie audible noise etc or do they simply fail with no warning? thanks

May 9th, 2013, 17:55	#3
clivea clivea Last Online: Dec 10th, 2014 12:38 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: West Country	And include pulleys etc, plus the auxiliary drive belts should be changed as well, as if you get a failure there it can spoil your day too! __________________ Cheers Clivea April 2014 Subaru Forester XE Lineatronic. 2010-April 2014 XC70 SE Premium 205ps D5 Geartronic AWD 2010MY Oyster Grey

May 9th, 2013, 16:56	#2
tc VOC Member Last Online: Jan 5th, 2024 15:51 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Chorley View Photos By: tc	If the belt snaps you wont get any warning, it'll just go. Although you could remove the Timing belt cover and look at the state of it you're not going to see much tbh. If I where going to drive that sort of distance I would make damn sure the timing belt was done BEFORE I went.

May 9th, 2013, 19:34	#4
Backhill1 Master Member Last Online: May 17th, 2023 13:08 Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Turriff	What engine is it? If D5 then can belts not known for failure and not due until 108k so you can relax there. More of a worry is we have the gash aux belt tensioner that fails, wipes out the timing belt and engine gone. This should have been done as a recall, 72k at the latest then 108k and then each 54k thereafter (many threads on this). If you have dealer history you should just check aux belt and tensioner has been done then hammer on to 108k. Cannot comment on petrol but no mention of Premature can belt failure on here or my stealer.

May 10th, 2013, 13:54	#5
BBmatic New Member Last Online: Aug 21st, 2014 18:32 Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: London	Thanks people - useful replies all. Its a D5 btw, I should have said. Checking history ASAP but running out of time!

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