Forfour Brabus Cambelt question

[mattcoomber1]

Hi all, this is my first post so I will start off by saying hi my name is Matt and I am hopefully going to be getting a Forfour Brabus at some point in the next few months. My question is that I have seen the 62k mark being quoted for a cambelt change but never seen that it needs to be done after after x amount of years. I have seen a couple of low mileage cars that are pushing 5 years old now so I was wondering if they should have had their cambelt changed. I have only just had to have this done in my current car which is a 06 Octavia at only 40,000 and it cost a fortune so I don't want to have to pay out again in the near future.

Many thanks

Matt

[ZorroReturns]

Re: Forfour Brabus Cambelt question

5 years 60,000 miles (I think) as the 44 should have oil change every 6,250miles and service every 12,500miles. Ignore the dash service display.

[putzie]

Re: Forfour Brabus Cambelt question

needs to be done at a smart center as well as you need specific tools to do it so isnt a cheap job !

[lalli_d1]

Re: Forfour Brabus Cambelt question

get yourself over to www.forfour.co.uk for forfour specific info.
as for the cam belt get mercedes or a smart indi to do it. my grandads seat leon need it doing in... well, now and im just putting it off as he doesnt do many miles (i know it needs doing!)

[J500ANT]

Re: Forfour Brabus Cambelt question

needs to be done at a smart center as well as you need specific tools to do it so isnt a cheap job !

I was previously under the impression it was a smart only job, but someone has checked on the mechanics guides (Autodata? or similar) and apparently it can be done without specialist tools. We had a quote of "Cambelt kit replacement which includes belt, roller, tensioner, lever, guide, labour and VAT is £450.00"

We still have factory warranty til March 2012 - once that's expired the belt is being changed!

[lil.smartie]

Re: Forfour Brabus Cambelt question

Yeah, I'd be weary of Autodata, they had numerous mistakes in the fortwo info when we looked at it!

Kate

[problemchild1976]

Re: Forfour Brabus Cambelt question

2 owners over on www.forfour.co.uk have changed ther own........

.....and you can use Mitsubishi parts!

Mine is an 06 with 34k miles but not thought about doing it yet....

B Service next month - then I'll see

The 5yrs thing never makes sence to me as 1. The car could have been built long before it was sold and 2. The belts could have been manufactured long before they were put on the car

JJ

[lalli_d1]

Re: Forfour Brabus Cambelt question

The 5yrs thing never makes sence to me as 1. The car could have been built long before it was sold and 2. The belts could have been manufactured long before they were put on the car

JJ

you have good points but when you look at it this way you may unserstand why they need changing.
as the car runs the belts spin up and down as speed up and slow the engine, which could stretch the belt and weaken it which will lead it to snap... like what happened on my cousins 8v punto (i havnt been looking after it!). he was lucky though!

[problemchild1976]

Re: Forfour Brabus Cambelt question

Ah bit that's usage, not age of belt

2 cars, same mileage, same reg age could have belts that are 18 months different in age! E.g. ANT has a BRAB that is one of the last sold in the uk but doesn't mean it was last built

JJ

[Big Dunc]

Re: Forfour Brabus Cambelt question

I am planning on doing mine myself. Not due for another 10k, and that will be in the middle of next year.
I e-mailed a few people for prices. The smart place said "err, we will give you a price nearer the time", then 2 Merc dealers told me it didnt have a cam belt, then another smart place said 4 hrs labour. That means it will take me 2 days....

In the book, at the same milage, it says to change adjust the tappets, but several people have told me they are hydraulic. Anyone shed any light on that?