Timing belt change interval

[rm008]

I note the Citroen Maintenance and warranty guide says it's 95,000 miles or 10 years for the 1.6 petrol under normal conditions or 70,000 or 10 years under arduous. 10 years seems too long IMO. I wondered what other members think is the best course of action? Opinions specifically on the 1.6 petrol engine please.

[Jed Clampit]

It seam a long time but they know what their doing ? how long are you going to keep it .If you want peace of mind you can change it sooner say 60'000 do the water pump and other belt's pulleys at the same time

[rm008]

Well I'm not sure I believe they do know what they are doing, considering their oil change interval which if followed blindly is practically guaranteed to wreck a 1.6 HDi... It's all politics. I just wondered if anyone knew of any special problems afflicting the 1.6 petrol (90 bhp version) that would suggest reducing the interval? I'm thinking of going to maybe 6 years max. Frankly it's a job which if done incompetently (and that IS likely) can potentially cause far more problems than it solves, hence my concern.

[Ol'Jeffers]

Did my cambelt and waterpump (HDi) at 60,000 and change oil and filter every 6000.

[rm008]

Did my cambelt and waterpump (HDi) at 60,000 and change oil and filter every 6000.

Yes I'm thinking that's the max mileage I'd want to go to for the belt and tensioners as I've read many accounts of these things breaking well before 10 years  on various other engines, not specifically the 1.6 petrol one I have - which I don't know much about at all so would be interested if anyone else on here runs one of these. It's all a gamble whether you do it or whether you don't... As to the oil I generally do mine twice a year and my annual mileage is only about 6000 miles. It always comes out as black as the fire back after 3000 miles, most likely because  most of my trips are short. (Hence why I went for a petrol over the HDi)

[Lighty]

The 1.6 petrol 16 valve engine is particularly prone for water pump & belt failure. I have fixed several last yea that were just about to fail or already had
100,000 is rediculous tbh, and we always advise change with a new water pump at 60 k or about 6 or 7 years.
They are not that expensive to replace, so it's a no brainer in my view.

[rm008]

The 1.6 petrol 16 valve engine is particularly prone for water pump & belt failure. I have fixed several last yea that were just about to fail or already had
100,000 is rediculous tbh, and we always advise change with a new water pump at 60 k or about 6 or 7 years.
They are not that expensive to replace, so it's a no brainer in my view.

And I bet it's an 'interference engine', where it wrecks the engine when the belt breaks, do you know?

[Lighty]

Ohh yes, always bends all 16 valves, but often destroys the lifters, which means it gets very expensive

[rm008]

Ohh yes, always bends all 16 valves, but often destroys the lifters, which means it gets very expensive

Thanks for the warning. Any idea of the cost for this job - belt and water pump Thanks. 

[Lighty]

@ £240 all done .