Cambelt Looks Fine But Mechanic Says Replace

[krisby1]

Asked a mechanic near work to check the cambelt, would have done myself but we driving to Devon this afternoon so thought I better get it checked out.

Anyway, only took top camcover off and I thought the belt looked perfect, no visible signs of wear, teeth look fine to me, belt looks clean. However, the mechanic said the teeth felt wooden, to me they felt like reinforced rubber teeth, the tensioner was able to be rolled by hand, which he said it shouldn't, I don't know about that though, and as there was movement in the belt he reckoned it was loose, but to me it felt really tight, barely any movement at all, like not even 5mm.

What do you guys reckon, 2nd opinion needed or does he sound full of it? Bare in mind his shop was empty, I've been his only customer all morning, so I reckon he's fishing. Plus he said he would change the drive belts (a/c, water pump etc), but they all look new, Toyota printing all over them looks brand new.

I know you can't be too cautious with a cambelt, but unlike some photos I've seen on this site of frayed belts, perished belts etc, mine looks fresh.

[noby76]

if not too sure about him and need a second opinion, book it into Lexus near you for them to double check if all he says replacing really does need doing and if they double confirm that then go ahead and let him carry out the changes otherwise you might be spending money replacing something that really doesnt need doing for another couple thousands of miles.

[TigerFish]

When was the last belt change done?

[steve2006]

When was the last belt change done?

Good point remember it's not how the belt looks so much unless there is obvious physical damage but more about the mileage and age of the belt.

A lot also depends on how the car is driven by that I mean long motorway jouneys are less stressful than stop start driving around town.

[ChrisIS200SportTTE]

You need to change it every 60k or 6 or 10 years I think regardless of the condition it appears to be in.

You'll only know if it needs replacing by the last time it was done or if has ever been done. Mine was 11 years old 80k on the clock when I bought it and had all original cambelt, tensioners, idler and auxiliary belts. I changed the lot straight away.

The auxiliary belts also need to be changed every 60k.

[The Transporter]

If you pay a professional mechanic to check your cambelt, then there can be only one answer.... Replace. If the belt fails on your journey after he has OK'd it then you'll be back at his garage demanding a repair for free. Mechanics do not have Xray vision and although the belt may appear ok, you cannot see what is happening to the cords inside.. Consider how hard that belt works, how many times it flexes every mile that you drive in the cold of Winter and the heat that gathers under the bonnet in the Summer.... Also I would question how the tensioner and idlers can be checked without removing the belt..... So as has been said previously change the belt and idlers on milage/ age. By the time that you have paid a main dealer to replicate what the mechanic has already told you, you would have paid a fair portion of the price of replacing the belt.... It is beyond me why you would pay a mechanic for an opinion and then think that he is trying to con you.....What did you want him to say?

[krisby1]

. It is beyond me why you would pay a mechanic for an opinion and then think that he is trying to con you.....What did you want him to say?

Well an empty garage brings up the questions really. He is right outside my work so I only use for him things that are not too demanding, brakes, oil service, cleaning EGR valves, replacing cats, I'm just not sure I would trust him with something as intricate as a cambelt change, only because his english not the best and when I've asked for specific things to be done he has not done them or misunderstood me, even told me once he had tested a car after removing the EGR and giving it a complete clean, only to find the car had no power, popped the bonnet and found he had not plugged it back in, so clearly not tested. It was only something that dawned me into work and I wanted to drive the car that afternoon to Devon, so I needed it looked at quickly, as well as looking at it myself.

Largely just going on the comments on here about belts looking like elastic bands and frayed to buggery, I got a bit worried, but to see what looks like a mint belt and then told it is knackered, wouldn't you doubt?

I'll call up my less convenient but more trustworthy mechanic to take a look when I work from home during the olympics, to be sure, not taking it to Lexus, Teddington not worth the effort to get to, nor the cost. I learnt my lesson with dealer mechanics many moons ago.

[krisby1]

When was the last belt change done?

No idea, hence my reason for having it looked at. I only got PSH with the car.

[E910]

If in doubt about it's age change it. Then you'll have the piece of mind knowing it's not going to break on you.