I have a Renault Laguna that has just done 70,000 miles,
owned from new.
Just took it in for a service at official Renault garage and
was advised to have the timing belt changed, which I
said they could do.
It cost me over ?300.00 +VAT just for belt change.
Two questions:
Did I do the right thing to have the belt changed ?
Is that cost about right ?
Car advice - Timing belt
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SID THE CYNIC
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- Joined: Fri Jul 14, 2017 2:40 am
Re: Car advice - Timing belt
1) yes you did do the correct thing by changing it. Depending on whether its a petrol or deisel will determine the extent of damage if it were to snap. Best case would be few bent valves. Worst... a new engine.
2) seems a bit dear to me, but sometimes tensioners have to be replaced too, all adding to the cost. Still seems a bit bloody expensive!! Might be worth asking for a breakdown of their charges etc.
Sid
2) seems a bit dear to me, but sometimes tensioners have to be replaced too, all adding to the cost. Still seems a bit bloody expensive!! Might be worth asking for a breakdown of their charges etc.
Sid
Re: Car advice - Timing belt
Most of the cost will be the labour charge (over ?50 an hour i bet) , so by the time they've stripped all the covers off and made the belt accessable you're looking at an exspensive job , but like Sid said not compared to the damage it could do . The downside to dealers is the overheads they need to cover , they claw it back back in service charges . JJ .
Re: Car advice - Timing belt
It is a deisel.
The reciept shows
Replace Timing Belt - ?191.31
Kit Distribution 7701474446 - ?114.41
Belt Alt A/CON ME 8200058139 - ? 16.19
I assume the first is labour, and the third is the belt.
The second says 'kit' so maybe there are other things
to change while you are in there ?
The reciept shows
Replace Timing Belt - ?191.31
Kit Distribution 7701474446 - ?114.41
Belt Alt A/CON ME 8200058139 - ? 16.19
I assume the first is labour, and the third is the belt.
The second says 'kit' so maybe there are other things
to change while you are in there ?
Re: Car advice - Timing belt
JUst a piece of advice, but why get the work done at a Renault garage. Take it to an indpendent, they should be cheaper. Or if you live in Dover, hop over the channel and get it done it France, it much, much cheaper.
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Winner "Best Loved Character"TVX SHAFTAS 2010
Winner of "Best On-Line scene & Best Gonzo Production" at UKAP Awards 2006
Winner of Best TVX series 2011, "Laras Anal Adventures"
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SID THE CYNIC
- Posts: 583
- Joined: Fri Jul 14, 2017 2:40 am
HANDY LINK
... Useful little article on a very useful website!
Would still query the price they've charged you.
Good luck and let us know what happens!!
Sid
Would still query the price they've charged you.
Good luck and let us know what happens!!
Sid
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SID THE CYNIC
- Posts: 583
- Joined: Fri Jul 14, 2017 2:40 am
an idea...
The last charge will be for the belt driving the air con and the alternator.
Firts price prob labour.
Middle one, the timing belt and any other stuff they have to change. Tensioners can be bloody dear, but a timing belt itself is usually no more that ?20 or so.
Ask them EXACTLY what has been changed.
Franchaised garages are expensive. A good independant mechanic will have a FAR better understanding of engines that a 'specialist' at a nice shiney show room!
Sid
Firts price prob labour.
Middle one, the timing belt and any other stuff they have to change. Tensioners can be bloody dear, but a timing belt itself is usually no more that ?20 or so.
Ask them EXACTLY what has been changed.
Franchaised garages are expensive. A good independant mechanic will have a FAR better understanding of engines that a 'specialist' at a nice shiney show room!
Sid
Re: Car advice - Timing belt
Not always the case these days. Small independent garages maybe, but the likes of Kwik-Fit, Halfords and ATS have realised they can rip people off as well and quite often charge more than main dealers for the same work - they also have policies of only replacing certain items in pairs (like shock absorbers) or they refuse to do the job ... but a main dealer will do only one if you insist. The last time I got a quote for a timing belt from a Honda main dealer it was ?145 all in ... a local quick fit centre wanted between ?160 and ?190, but couldn't give me an exact price until they did the job because there are half a dozen different engines (mechanics words) ... and I was under the impression you could look these facts up in manuals !
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SID THE CYNIC
- Posts: 583
- Joined: Fri Jul 14, 2017 2:40 am
Honest John-Telegraph
Saw this tale of woe a few weeks ago.
Better safe than sorry ..... as long its done right!
Liable case
My son has a 2001 Renault M?gane diesel with 95,000 miles on the clock and a full dealer service history. The cambelt was changed at 72,000 miles, as per requirements, but some 3,000 miles ago the engine was misfiring and a new cam pulley, cambelt, auxiliary belt and sundry other items were replaced at some cost. This week the engine died. My local private garage diagnosed that "the auxiliary belt had broken, wrapping itself around the steering pump and main pulleys, then jamming itself around the cambelt, which broke and destroyed the engine". I have now taken the vehicle to the main Renault dealer, where there doesn't appear to be any sense of responsibility ("It's an old car, these things happen"). Do you have a view on potential liability?
M.D., Hepworth
* If the main dealer replaced the auxiliary belt, it is liable for it having snapped and partially so for the consequential damage.
Better safe than sorry ..... as long its done right!
Liable case
My son has a 2001 Renault M?gane diesel with 95,000 miles on the clock and a full dealer service history. The cambelt was changed at 72,000 miles, as per requirements, but some 3,000 miles ago the engine was misfiring and a new cam pulley, cambelt, auxiliary belt and sundry other items were replaced at some cost. This week the engine died. My local private garage diagnosed that "the auxiliary belt had broken, wrapping itself around the steering pump and main pulleys, then jamming itself around the cambelt, which broke and destroyed the engine". I have now taken the vehicle to the main Renault dealer, where there doesn't appear to be any sense of responsibility ("It's an old car, these things happen"). Do you have a view on potential liability?
M.D., Hepworth
* If the main dealer replaced the auxiliary belt, it is liable for it having snapped and partially so for the consequential damage.