Q Do I need to change the timing belt on our 2016 motorhome?
Should I be looking at changing the timing belt on my Elddis Autoquest 175, which was first registered in March 2016?
The ’van has the Peugeot 2.2-litre diesel engine. It has done 20,000 miles and has been regularly serviced.
Dave Pilgrim
A The advice for a 2.2-litre Peugeot, as far as I can see, is the same as for most other Peugeot diesel engines. The cam belt and associated tensioners should be replaced at intervals of 72,000 miles or five years, whichever comes first.
It is always very tempting to think that a lower mileage will mean that more time can be allowed between these changes, but lack of use has a detrimental effect as much as excessive use.
While the belt itself may be in almost perfect condition, the bearings in the tensioner and idler may be less happy if they have been left in one position, under tension for long periods.
It is these items that fail more often than belts anyway, and the same can be said of the water pump that should also be changed.
These water pumps are designed to be replaced at the same time, unlike Fiat Ducato engines that have more robust pumps that are more difficult to replace and should be left alone unless there are signs of wear or leaks.
If this were my vehicle, and I knew the sounds that it makes, with no signs of coolant loss, I might be tempted to stretch the job out to maybe seven years, but that is just my opinion. I obviously cannot advise you to do that as failures of water pumps or cam belt parts can be very expensive indeed.
Nick Fisher