Timing belt change interval

[kiwijetpilot]

Hi, I have an 2004 S-Type 2.7 diesel with 55,000 miles on the clock. I understand that the timing belt should be changed every 105,000 miles or ten years, whichever comes first. I'm pretty sure mine is on the original belt. So my question is, has anyone ever heard of a belt breaking due to age rather than mileage? I have owned some cars with perfectly healthy belts that were 25 years old, but conversely, the belts on Alfa 156s were infamous for snapping once they got to five years.
Anyone know?

 

[Old Peter]

Hi Simon, and welcome to the Club.

I also have an S type 2.7  [07] diesel with 79k on the clock, but which had a new engine at 28k after 2 years which means that the nine has done 51k.

The mechanic who has looked after my cars for 16 years to my satisfaction told me he has never come cross a cam belt break when the engine has done less mileage than the mileage stipulated.  My car will be due for 10 years next March.  He told me that he does not think it necessary, but will do it if I feel it is needed. So, basically my choice..

Much depends on how much I have in my my back pocket next march.

Regards,

Peter 

[kiwijetpilot]

Cheers Peter, yes that makes sense to me. Not quite so happy to hear your car had to have a new engine at 28k though! Hopefully mine will keep going for a bit longer. Many thanks for the reply.

[Old Peter]

Hi Simon,

The new engine was put in when my car was in Jaguar Ownership at a Main Dealer in Exeter.and before I bought it.  I guessed that it was being driven by one of the staff at the dealership as I was told that was probably the Oil pump that failed, in which case a message would have come up on the dashboard and the engine warning light would have been red.  At a guess I think that the member of staff disregarded the warning light and let the engine seize.  Driver error rather than an engine failure.

Regards,

Peter. 

[JOE-DOT-COM]

hi

why risk it get it done

when it snaps it scrap

cheers

Joe

[kiwijetpilot]

Cheers Peter, that makes me feel better.

Joe, I agree with you. That said, I phoned around a few dealerships today, and they all said that they had never heard of a belt snapping because it was more than ten years old. I then asked them how much they would charge to change the belt... 😉

I'll do it anyway - does anyone know of a reputable independent in the Guildford area?

The main reason for the question was me trying to establish if it is reasonably safe to carry on until I can get it booked in for replacement - it is my only transport at the moment.

[Old Peter]

15 hours ago, JOE-DOT-COM said:

hi

why risk it get it done

when it snaps it scrap

cheers

Joe

 Hi Joe,  

A new engine could cost £5k and at a guess spending £500 is a good value.  My s type is still in mint condition, sills OK, leather interior well looked after, so I will be setting aside my winter heating "gift" from the Government fo starters!

Regards,

Peter.

[JOE-DOT-COM]

Hi Peter

Its peace of mind aswell at the end of the day

if its due and you get it done, then you can forget about it for 10 years if its genuine parts

now the next best manufacturer of timing belts if you ask me is Gates, Now they recomend 60k or 7 years on there belts

and the only place who going to use genuine parts is a Jaguar service centre, also Jaguar have fixed prices and are usually quite reasonable on timing belts changes

and dont forget there's 2 timing belts on there, front timing belt and rear fuel pump belt

cheers

Joe

[Old Peter]

Thanks, Joe.

The mechanic I have used for over 15 years always uses genuine parts, although I will check out a Jaguar service centre for a good price.

I am 85 next years so 7 years should see me through as well as the car!

Regards,

Peter.

[kiwijetpilot]

Rumour has it that the fuel pump belt is good for 150k miles and has no time limit...

[JOE-DOT-COM]

1 hour ago, kiwijetpilot said:

Rumour has it that the fuel pump belt is good for 150k miles and has no time limit...

hi

its a timing belt at the end of the day, it will perish and snap eventually, but at least when this snaps it wont destroy the engine

they allways recomend changing them both at the same time,

the fuel pump belts is the easy one to change as well

cheers

Joe

 

[Old Peter]

Hi Joe,

That's probable what I will do.

I had a cam belt chain changed on my Honda Dream in 1963 --  a funny noise coming from the engine -- the chain was somehow stretched.  Luckily no damage done.

Regards,

Peter.

[Steve Metcalfe]

Hi I'm looking at buying an S Type 3L petrol with 102000 on the clock. There is no record of the Cambelt  being changed . Does anyone have an idea of cost approx before I agree a price for the car... I had a 3L xf portfolio diesel and I had that done at 70000 but paperwork went when I sold the car.. I had service and brakes and other stuff done so can't remember how much it was 

Thanks 

[JOE-DOT-COM]

Hi

The petrol engines on the S-type dont have a timing belt, there timing chain

so as long as its still quiet its fine, if its had regular Oil changes they last many, many years.

cheers

Joe