Vehicle servicing question

[Areola Grande]

I have a 2020 Opel Corsa 1.0T with 23K on the clock.

It'll be due for the annual service in December, at which point it'll likely be on around 25K. Obviously this is very low mileage, so I'm essentially just doing annual services in line with the regular services of the car (minor, major etc.)

My question is, for services that require more serious work (cam belt, plugs etc.), do these realistically need to be done per the suggested intervals?

At this rate I'll hit the 120,000KM cambelt service in 2040, but I'm fairly certain the rubber will have tarnished long before then. But I'd also like to not do an expensive service if I don't have to and this car is realistically not even on it's second service per the mileage intervals.

Trying to determine what actually needs to be done due to aging, etc. and what I can get away with skipping.

 

[SnowmanZA]

I have a 2020 Opel Corsa 1.0T with 23K on the clock.

It'll be due for the annual service in December, at which point it'll likely be on around 25K. Obviously this is very low mileage, so I'm essentially just doing annual services in line with the regular services of the car (minor, major etc.)

My question is, for services that require more serious work (cam belt, plugs etc.), do these realistically need to be done per the suggested intervals?

At this rate I'll hit the 120,000KM cambelt service in 2040, but I'm fairly certain the rubber will have tarnished long before then. But I'd also like to not do an expensive service if I don't have to and this car is realistically not even on it's second service per the mileage intervals.

Trying to determine what actually needs to be done due to aging, etc. and what I can get away with skipping.

I'm pretty sure most cars have service intervals at x km or 1 year, whichever comes first. So even if you do low mileage, you will still have to do major things like the cam belt etc. on your 8th or 10th service or whatever it is in your service book.

 

[TheJudge]

Cambelt is around 5 years I think. My mechanic checks it and we replace when cracked which still has been around 5 years each time.

Just had to replace a bunch of tubes too that turned to bubblegum after 16 years. Time definitely hammers parts too.

 

[Kamikaze]

My cousin drives a really sporty Renault (leaving it non-descript). For instance, the cambelt service interval is every 4 years/20000km, whichever one comes first.

The person organising the replacement parts at the Renault dealer only saw the 20k km part, even though the cam belt had to be replaced as it was 4 years later from the prior service. 4 months later at a moderate acceleration, the engine shuts off unexpectedly and won't start again. The car gets towed to the dealer. The cambelt broke, bending all 16 valves. They were forced to take full ownership of repairs including importing all the parts from France, leaving him with their rental Renault Kwid for 3 months.

Don't put yourself in that situation. Replace the parts if the service interval states so.

 

[Kamikaze]

At this rate I'll hit the 120,000KM cambelt service in 2040...

I'm no mechanic, but if it were to last that long, isn't it perhaps a chain-driven cam"belt"?

 

[Areola Grande]

I'm no mechanic, but if it were to last that long, isn't it perhaps a chain-driven cam"belt"?

No I wouldn’t expect it to, just commenting on mileage/year I’m averaging. 2040 is when I would be due, per mileage.

I guess I’ll just continue as I have been and keep knocking off the respective services annually, per the service book.

In other news, if anyone wants to buy the lowest mileage 4 year old corsa in the country, hit me up 🤣

 

[Old_Liver]

Looks to me like the 1.0L Turbo engine in the Corsa uses a Timing Chain instead of a Cambelt.

 

[Areola Grande]

Looks to me like the 1.0L Turbo engine in the Corsa uses a Timing Chain instead of a Cambelt.

Sweet, somebody else’s problem then 🤣

 

[TheJudge]

Just make sure that you deal with a good mechanic and they should advise you what can wait and what can't. Each car will have its own quirks and things to watch for.

For trade/sale purposes also just ensure you keep paperwork of what has and hasn't been done.

Also, dealerships will screw you at every turn on claiming things are servicing 'essentials'.

 

[Areola Grande]

Just make sure that you deal with a good mechanic and they should advise you what can wait and what can't. Each car will have its own quirks and things to watch for.

For trade/sale purposes also just ensure you keep paperwork of what has and hasn't been done.

Also, dealerships will screw you at every turn on claiming things are servicing 'essentials'.

My mate will be doing it, he’s a qualified mechanic and does all the BMW race cars and such so he knows his business. Will even stamp the book and alles.

 

[PandaAttack1]

Our company Getz stranded one of our techs on the highway last week. Found out today that the cambelt lost a few of its teeth. Was an interesting discussion when I asked the person how this happened... Apparently the cambelt had to replaced prior. There was a bit of silence when I told them they have been doing all servicing on the car the last couple of years..

About 10k in damages. Could've been worse. Could've been avoided. Good on you for keeping things like that in mind.

 

[PandaAttack1]

My mate will be doing it, he’s a qualified mechanic and does all the BMW race cars and such so he knows his business. Will even stamp the book and alles.

...does all the BMW race cars... is a very broad statement. But if his shop is RMI approved it should be fine for any future warranties etc.

 

[Areola Grande]

...does all the BMW race cars... is a very broad statement. But if his shop is RMI approved it should be fine for any future warranties etc.

Intentionally vague. But yes, approved.

 

[PandaAttack1]

Intentionally vague. But yes, approved.

I know this doesn't apply here, but I've heard the 'he is a certified EXPENSIVE CAR BRAND mech, its fine' before. Then they don't know the nuances of a particular Opel and the twin towers fall.

 

[Areola Grande]

I know this doesn't apply here, but I've heard the 'he is a certified EXPENSIVE CAR BRAND mech, its fine' before. Then they don't know the nuances of a particular Opel and the twin towers fall.

Yea I get you. In this case I know the dude well and he’s services a few cars for us already, he knows what he’s doing.

 

[Supreme]

Even if your car was parked and stationary under blankets for 12 months / 60 months, you still need to change your oil/filter or cambelt. The time intervals are there for a reason.

 

[TheJudge]

Also if it does have a cambelt it's worth looking at pulley/tensioner (?) and water pump at the same time because they're not that expensive compared to the labour costs.

For example I might have to change a rear main seal. This will involve removing the clutch assembly. The clutch is getting on in years and km so may as well get a new one when the seal is replaced. Seal costs min but the labour involved in getting the clutch removed to get to the seal costs more than a new Luk clutch so worth replacing it at the same time.

 

[Triggerxi77]

I'm no mechanic, but if it were to last that long, isn't it perhaps a chain-driven cam"belt"?

Good question. Some cars come with a timing chain (VW Polo models) and the chain supposedly has the same lifetime as the engine. I.e. Never needs replacing.

 

[SteveIndeed]

I'm no mechanic, but if it were to last that long, isn't it perhaps a chain-driven cam"belt"?

You'd be surprised - on most older Toyota motors (of which I have three - a straight-four, a V6 and a straight-six), the cam belt change interval is every 100,000km or 10 years.

 

[Kamikaze]

You'd be surprised - on most older Toyota motors (of which I have three - a straight-four, a V6 and a straight-six), the cam belt change interval is every 100,000km or 10 years.

That's pretty impressive. But we should expect that by now from Toyota. I'd guess their intervals are so large due to their engines not being under such high tension as other engines requiring more frequent cambelt changes.