Timing Belt

[Dyu]

I just want to triple check something with you all as some of you guys has an indepth knowledge about cars. My timing belt was changed about 14 months ago when the car was just 3 years old. Now it needs another change because the belt has stretched. Citroen has said this is down to my driving as I am doing 30mph in fourth gear. I just like to know if this is true because the belt has only covered 7000 miles. I've been driving conservatively since I've owned my THP from new and I had no trouble for 3 years, and suddenly my driving style has cause the car to worn out a timing belt after 7000 miles in 14 months, it's just doesn't make sense in my head.

[jps74]

Doesn't sound right to me, there is some threads on here regarding stretched timing belts think there is a fault with the thp engine and sounds like Citroen are spinning you a line!

[streettweeks]

I just want to triple check something with you all as some of you guys has an indepth knowledge about cars. My timing belt was changed about 14 months ago when the car was just 3 years old. Now it needs another change because the belt has stretched. Citroen has said this is down to my driving as I am doing 30mph in fourth gear. I just like to know if this is true because the belt has only covered 7000 miles. I've been driving conservatively since I've owned my THP from new and I had no trouble for 3 years, and suddenly my driving style has cause the car to worn out a timing belt after 7000 miles in 14 months, it's just doesn't make sense in my head.

Do you actually do 30mph in 4th? You realise that car will do 60-65 in 2nd?

[cyclone]

THP. It is a chain not a belt and they are notorious for stretching. Would not be the first one to only last 7k. You should be hearing it rattle, start up and goes away when warm till it gets real bad then stays all the time. You don't want to mess around when they go bad, they are an engine killer. Yah it costs hundreds to change but cheaper than the thousands a new engine costs.

[BenS]

You realise that car will do 60-65 in 2nd?

Sure, if you don't mind refilling the tank every 100 miles

[Dyu]

I normally go into fourth around 32-35mph. They changed the tensioner about a month or two ago, and now they said if it can't be done under warranty I would have to pay upwards of £1000.

[Chris_Blue]

I normally go into fourth around 32-35mph. They changed the tensioner about a month or two ago, and now they said if it can't be done under warranty I would have to pay upwards of £1000.

If you are saying they want you to pay c£1000 for a change of timing chainor tensioner... go elsewhere

[Owd git]

Now it needs another change because the belt has stretched.

Why does it need anything? what problems are you experiencing?

[Dyu]

The engine management light came on and I took it in, then they said it needs a new Timing belt because it has stretched. The service manager is on holiday so I won't know if It would be done warranty again or if I would need to pay.

[streettweeks]

Sure, if you don't mind refilling the tank every 100 miles

No i don't .

4th at 30 ... your not using the rev range at all.. buy a diesel 90 or a puretech, VTI at a stretch.

[BenS]

To be fair I only shift to 4th at about 35 usually, and I've only got a 5 speed gearbox. And then again sometimes I shift to 4th at about 80 lol. Wait, I mean 70. Would never dream of exceeding the speed limit.

[cyclone]

So the first time they just changed the tensioner, and now they need to do the whole chain kit. Sounds possible. At first checked chain found within limits changed tensioner, chain got worse now out of limits whole thing needs changing. They probably should have done the whole thing the first time but they were paying so took the cheapest route first.

[Drummond Base]

If they are saying its down to using 4th gear at 30mph they are talking bollox. The THP has more than enough torques to do that. Ive been driving my car in a similar fashion for 40k miles and its not had an issue because of it. If i drive into work there is a long stretch of 50mph which i drive in 6th gear, no issue.

[Owd git]

If they are saying its down to using 4th gear at 30mph they are talking bollox. The THP has more than enough torques to do that. Ive been driving my car in a similar fashion for 40k miles and its not had an issue because of it. If i drive into work there is a long stretch of 50mph which i drive in 6th gear, no issue.

+1 on that

[liamlazenby]

I was taught to be in 4th at 30. Less labourous on the engine (Yes that's a new word) Been doing it ever since, ( 12 years) and never (Touches large piece of wood) hada timuing issue on any of the 3 cars I have owned.
Now with that, I have not owned a THP engine or a larger engine than 1.6, but any how, even in the 90 I'm in 4th by 30/35.
I know the timing belt is recommedned to change at 66K on mine, and for piece of mind I'm obliged to do it but it is not faulty or ever had a problem in 6 years.