18000 miles timing belt change?

[chitchatsaab]

Hi All,

2007 95 Aero with 18000 miles due for its annual service. Rang the specialist (who incidently I bought the car from just over 2 years ago with 9000 on the clock.) and he sucked his teeth stating that this will be a big one as its due to have the timing belt changed. Checking the service schedule SAAB state that the Drive Belt should be replaced at 72000 miles couldn't find anything on the timing belt. Looking at what must be changed after 4 years, its the break fluid only + anything in the intermediate schedule. If someone could put my mind at rest that I don't need this expensive service, yet, that would be great.

Thanks for the help.

[paul south]

find another garage. he does not now what he is talking about
the aero engine has a chain not a belt and does not need replacing.
hence no mention of it in the service schedule !

[rhodgie]

Get a second opinion..... I too thought it was chain drive not a belt for the timing.

The belt that needs changed is the one that drives the auxiliaries like power steering pump, alternator,,, sometimes called the serpentine belt I think, that'll be the drive belt the service book refers to, although a lot of people call this the timing belt in error.

Now if you've only done 18k miles in 4 years then its not because of the mileage but it will be because of its age.... check your service book, it'll say 72k miles or ?? years.... whichever comes first.

I got mines changed at 66k (older model) and think it was about £100 from an Indie and that was 3 years ago so expect no more than £150 today.

[SaabGeeza]

Changed my Aux belt at 66k ish miles as per Haynes (but 8 years!). I needn't have bothered as the old belt was still in great shape. But seeing as I had the part in hand and the bits accessible I changed it anyhow. Yours can wait a while I think!

Using photo guides from the interweb I was able to do it in around an hour, not having done it before- cost £20 or thereabouts, just the cost of the belt.

Geeza

[chitchatsaab]

Thanks for the info Guys. Sounds like I should have a good few years yet.

Hmmmm............. Checking the SAAB service schedule for a 95 petrol it states everything in mileage apart from the first year:

Every 18000 miles or once a year - Intermediate service.
Every 36000 miles (years not stated) - Air filter + Spark plugs + intermediate.
Every 72000 miles (years not stated) - Fuel filter + Drive Belt + intermediate.
Every 4 years (mileage not included) - Brake fluid.

Seems odd to have brake fluid separate from the 72000 mile interval. If the drive belt deterioated badly over time (not considering mileage) I'd of thought that would have been with the 4 year change also. Fuel filter I completely understand being under the 72000 miles as I'm guessing time doesn't affect that too much, but the amount of fuel passed would.

Hope that sort of makes sense. A slightly confusing schedule, as the book also states the intervals for the diesel engined 95's and the petrol 93's giving mileage and corresponding years (Every 72000 miles or every 4 years) different to that of the 95.

So I'd read that as I only require an intermediate service plus a brake fluid change.