cost of cam belt

hi all
still new to the defender i have been told to change the cam belt.
the car has 122k miles, but with no bill for the cam belt in the history.
should i change the belt for piece of mind or should i just cross fingers.
i dont want to spend any money on the defender, as i bought it just for winter.
how much is a cam belt change at a independent land rover specialist.

thanks

how the fook are folks suppose to know that ?

we could all have a guess or you could have a ring around ?

i am asking defender 200tdi owners who have had the cam belt done for a price guide.

or owners experiances of a cam belt fail, cost to repair???

thanks

Cambelt fail = expensive.

Cambelt change = not so expensive.

Simples.

thanks shifty

rowey2006 said:

or owners experiances of a cam belt fail, cost to repair???

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A lot.

The probability of needing new pistons, conrods, camshaft, valves, etc after a fail means it's a hell of a lot cheaper just to play it safe and get it changed.

rowey2006 said:

i dont want to spend any money on the defender, as i bought it just for winter.

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But you bought a Defender...

It's a straightforward job in itself, something you could do if you know which end of the spanner to use so to speak.

Other than that, have a ring around.

Btw whereabouts are you?

( no fooker say he's on the lz forum either )

west yorkshire any recommended garages near by

just got a quote back £180 inc vat inc new idler and tensioner pulleys

Ive just had mine done , better safe than sorry job, it was ok has it happens , i was charged £200 i think just the belt changed as well knowing the chap he would only change what it needed hes normally fair on prices as ive used him alot over the years, although £200 seemed a tad high on this job ,but maybe swings and roundabouts . But alot cheaper than an engine rebuild/replacement so change it mate for peace of mind.

Just had: New cam belt, fan belts, water pump and MOT £535

200tdi

2 months ago rebuilt engine following cam belt failer, Took me a full day at a cost of just over 40 squid in parts. this was on a 300 tdi and the belt failed at tick over so only bet 2 push rods and snapped on rocker arm but I have seen one where the belt detonated at 75 on the motorway and that was a case of throw engine away and buy one from fleabay !!! So thems the risks so if you been quote 180 seems a fair price to me.

Flet said:

Just had: New cam belt, fan belts, water pump and MOT £535

200tdi

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fook me i'm in the wrong job.....

Badger said:

fook me i'm in the wrong job.....

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No mate - you're just charging the wrong prices

Did mine in a morning for the cost of the belt and idlers. About £30.

Badger said:

fook me i'm in the wrong job.....

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:5biagree:

Take the injection pump timing access plate off (3 screws on front of timing case), and you might be able to judge the condition of the belt. YMMV

rowey2006 said:

west yorkshire any recommended garages near by

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There used to be one called Recycled Land Rovers a number of years back in either Wakefield or Huddersfield, and they were brilliant!

Trouble is that I think they had to change their name as they were not a franchised dealership.

Have a look in the local online directories and ask if they were them.

Yes I thought it was a bit steep.

I was a bit scared to take on an important job like the cam belt, I don't know why because I changed one years ago on a vauxhall nova. You live and learn don't you.

I would change it... you need a bench mark to work from, work through all the servicing schedules, you then know for your piece of mind and for resale

allow 3-4 hours at a garage, so £180 isn't that bad, £140 is a good price... the more badges and neon lights over the door costs more, try a mobile mechanic that way you can watch and learn

good luck, but change it