Does the cam belt need changing?

solitaire woman · 10-05-2008, 02:15 PM

Have just purchased my first motorhome, a hymer 544k, first registered in Jan 02 with 23,300 miles. Dont know the first thing about cam belts, but have read a few posts where it seems to be the main topic of conversation! Would you think the cam belt should be replaced on my motorhome, or will there be a few more years/miles before it is necessary?
Anything else I should be thinking of changing/checking on a vehicle of this age?
Thanks in advance for any helpful info!

moandick · 10-05-2008, 03:02 PM

Hi Solitaire woman

I always have the same problem - trying to find where the "New Thread Label" is - but I have an excuse, in as much as I'm old and worn out and my memory is almost non-existent so Jim and Brian look after me a little bit.

How to do it.........

1: go to the Homepage and click on the "Forums" tab

2: select your forum (in your case, I would suggest "Base Chassis Section" or "Tech/Mech General" and click on that tab

3: At the top left of the page you should see the label "new thread"

What I don't know how to do is tell you how to transfer your thread to that forum, sorry.

hopperleslie · 10-05-2008, 03:23 PM

has your vehicle got any service history, if so check to see what maintenance work has been carried out, it may cost you £200 to have the belt replacement but you will have piece of mind, when a belt breaks it virtually wrecks the engine,

the replacement cost for a new engine will be a fortune.

the hymer has only done a small mileage but like all parts the timing belt may have perished over the years.
hope this helps.

solitaire woman · 10-05-2008, 03:24 PM

Thanks for that! Have had a play around, so will know for next time!

irish rover · 10-05-2008, 03:37 PM

hey how are ya,your cam belt and timing belt should be fine at that sort of mileage!hope you are enjoyin yer motorhome? i used to sell motorhomes for a livin,maybe you should get yerself a habitation test carried out,this should cover bamp checks,gas leaks and electrical installation etc!!!!!!!!!!!good for yer own peace of mind..............happy campin for the future.....(cam belt etc good till approx 50,000 miles)

haganap · 10-05-2008, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by irish rover

hey how are ya,your cam belt and timing belt should be fine at that sort of mileage!hope you are enjoyin yer motorhome? i used to sell motorhomes for a livin,maybe you should get yerself a habitation test carried out,this should cover bamp checks,gas leaks and electrical installation etc!!!!!!!!!!!good for yer own peace of mind..............happy campin for the future.....(cam belt etc good till approx 50,000 miles)

well sorry irish rover but im glad i nbever brought one of your vans then.

A cam belt and tensioners should be changed at five years regardless of milage. it is not just milage that dictates but life span.
Why take a risk of 2-4k worth of damage for the sake of a couple of hundred quid for peace of mind and happy motoring.

terry · 10-05-2008, 03:59 PM

Hi agree with haganap, if you are not certainit has been changed get it done,it is the age rather than miles

I always change mine on aquiring vehicle unless cetain it has been done
terry

Digger Driver · 10-05-2008, 04:35 PM

I would find out first if it has a cam belt!
It could have a timing chain and they last a lot longer!

solitaire woman · 10-05-2008, 05:29 PM

Thanks everyone for the info, although now its getting slightly confusing! Thought
they all had a cam belt!! Cant see now that buying the motorhome is the easy bit, knowing all about its little foibles will take rather longer! Thank heavens for sites like this!

Digger Driver · 10-05-2008, 05:45 PM

Is it Fiat Ducato based?
As far as i know they have timing chains!