Cambelt replacement

C_hristo

C_hristo

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 29, 2013
Messages
153
Reaction score
0
Location
Big bay / in Cape Town
2005 opel corsa lite 200 000 km
Should I rather take her to official dealership to replace cam belt?
Quote is just on r5k
Or use ‘reliable’ recommended back yard mechanic?
Alternative recommendations are always welcome ...
bless you and your cotton socks
 
It’s a pretty common procedure, so any mechanic with a decent reputation will do just fine. Dealership is usually overpriced.
 
You could, but the best is to go to a RMI approved service center, they would be cheaper.
Do not use a back-yard mechanic, believe me you would regret it after a few months
 
Sugarman said:
You could, but the best is to go to a RMI approved service center, they would be cheaper.
Do not use a back-yard mechanic, believe me you would regret it after a few months
Click to expand...

I recently had to change a thermostat on my Corsa lite which on these cars include removing the cam belt, I thought of taking it to some of the recognised service centres, fearing that a backyard mechanic will mess with my timing and all that and leave me immobile. I needed the car for work so I could not afford to take it somewhere where it will stay for a whole week, I eventually called those mobile mechanic found on Gumtree, I was very sceptical at first but just thought it is worth a chance, I was I charged R400 call out fee and R400 for Labour, I bought the thermostat for R427, two very young Zim chaps pitched up at work, 30 minutes later the thermostat was in and no issues since then.

Moral of the story, there's nothing wrong with a back yard mechanic who comes highly recommended, I took a chance on mine and it paid off. A Corsa lite is a very basic car to work on if know what you are doing.

To OP, it looks like you are in Cape Town, unfortunately no am in JHB so it's no use recommending my guys.
 
Last edited:
C_hristo said:
2005 opel corsa lite 200 000 km
Should I rather take her to official dealership to replace cam belt?
Quote is just on r5k
Or use ‘reliable’ recommended back yard mechanic?
Alternative recommendations are always welcome ...
bless you and your cotton socks
Click to expand...

Don't forget to post in the 200 000km thread.
 
Thank you all. I just thought a cam belt should best be done by ‘official’ distributor as it is a major thing to do. Yeah I’m in Cape Town
Will do more home work.
 
C_hristo said:
Thank you all. I just thought a cam belt should best be done by ‘official’ distributor as it is a major thing to do. Yeah I’m in Cape Town
Will do more home work.
Click to expand...

Overrated, and a clever way for the 'offical' distributor to fleece you, any good mechanic will do it, although for peace of mind an RMI one is recommended.
 
Remember to just replace the water pump as well as the thermostat if your budget allows, if by sheer bad luck your car overheats later the cambelt must come off again and you are going to be charged extra for that. Unless of course both these parts have been replaced recently.
 
thechamp said:
Remember to just replace the water pump as well as the thermostat if your budget allows, if by sheer bad luck your car overheats later the cambelt must come off again and you are going to be charged extra for that. Unless of course both these parts have been replaced recently.
Click to expand...

Awesome advice.
Thank you.
 
I highly, extremely highly, recommend goch and Cooper auto in Brackenfell.. Fantastic service, free shuttle service to and from work when you drop your car and collect it..

My car has been there twice and the wife's once and all future work I will be doing with them as well..

RMI approved, honest and trustworthy.. I have had no issues with either cars since it went for repair/service there..

I can't give you a detailed quote but, my last invoice with them from last year had labour per hour at around R500 and should be less than the dealer.. This being the new year, I would expect an increase..
 
WAslayer said:
I highly, extremely highly, recommend goch and Cooper auto in Brackenfell.. Fantastic service, free shuttle service to and from work when you drop your car and collect it..

My car has been there twice and the wife's once and all future work I will be doing with them as well..

RMI approved, honest and trustworthy.. I have had no issues with either cars since it went for repair/service there..

I can't give you a detailed quote but, my last invoice with them from last year had labour per hour at around R500 and should be less than the dealer.. This being the new year, I would expect an increase..
Click to expand...

Edit: Almost forgot, you will also get a phone call a day or so after your work is completed, asking whether you got the car back in good nick, were you kept updated regularly about the status of the work and was the sales rep helpful etc..
 
C_hristo said:
2005 opel corsa lite 200 000 km
Should I rather take her to official dealership to replace cam belt?
Quote is just on r5k
Or use ‘reliable’ recommended back yard mechanic?
Alternative recommendations are always welcome ...
bless you and your cotton socks
Click to expand...

Why is the choice between a dealer and a backyard mechanic? There a plenty of reputable service centres that will do this work with warranty on the parts/workmanship. I am referring to places like ACD, SAC and autoWORKS (or others in this thread) all in your area as examples.
 
Last edited:
thechamp said:
I recently had to change a thermostat on my Corsa lite which on these cars include removing the cam belt, I thought of taking it to some of the recognised service centres, fearing that a backyard mechanic will mess with my timing and all that and leave me immobile. I needed the car for work so I could not afford to take it somewhere where it will stay for a whole week, I eventually called those mobile mechanic found on Gumtree, I was very sceptical at first but just thought it is worth a chance, I was I charged R400 call out fee and R400 for Labour, I bought the thermostat for R427, two very young Zim chaps pitched up at work, 30 minutes later the thermostat was in and no issues since then.

Moral of the story, there's nothing wrong with a back yard mechanic who comes highly recommended, I took a chance on mine and it paid off. A Corsa lite is a very basic car to work on if know what you are doing.

To OP, it looks like you are in Cape Town, unfortunately no am in JHB so it's no use recommending my guys.
Click to expand...

Are you sure you had to take the cambelt off to replace the thermostat? I know it's pretty close to the thermostat housing but there should be enough clearance to do it.
 
Lupus said:
Are you sure you had to take the cambelt off to replace the thermostat? I know it's pretty close to the thermostat housing but there should be enough clearance to do it.
Click to expand...

If only, I could have saved myself a pretty penny in January. The cam pulley must come off and obviously the top part of the belt, All models from my Corsa B as well as the Chev utility, same engine, same procedure. Unnecessarily difficult cars to work on, I replaced the auxiliary belt myself some time ago, you'll never imagine how difficult it is to replace a simple belt on these cars.
 
R5k is also a lot considering the belt alone is about R200. Phone around for pricing on the spares, belt, waterpump, pulley/s and tensioner (for that model, you will be able to get everything at a Midas or Autozone). Also check with the dealership for the price of the spares. In some instances they may be cheaper. Get a quote from a mechanic for just the labour. Methinks that you should be spending (in total) around R2.5k
 
Lupus said:
Are you sure you had to take the cambelt off to replace the thermostat? I know it's pretty close to the thermostat housing but there should be enough clearance to do it.
Click to expand...

probably enough clearance to get to the bolts but, not to get the housing off..

corsa b.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X