My S-Type 2.7 diesel seems to have been very well cared for during its 8+ years and low mileage of 38,000 but despite this, Jaguar Service Schedules demand a change to drive belts at 10 years. Can I safely stretch this out a bit I wonder. Has any other owner taken a more pragmatic approach on this?

Hi Barry,

The engineers will tell you that if a belt fails there could be a lot of damage to the engine.

The accountants will tell you to chance it for a few thousand miles more.

Accountants are very good runners and hard to catch.

My car is the same year as yours and I will be having the belts changed in March 2017 even though I will probably heavenly done about 77k miles by then.

Peter.

Hi Peter,

 Your point is well put. It would certainly be prudent to have them changed at ten years as suggested but common sense tells me that it should not be necessary for years yet. I do not expect to complete 77k miles for some considerable time, perhaps 5 years. Still, I have until Sept '17 to consider this I guess.

best regards,

Barry

HI Barry,

It is not wear and tear only that cause cam belt failure, it can also be the age of the material.

The S Type cam belts should be changed at 105K miles or 10 years.  It is worth considering what the bill for a new engine could be.

Regards,

Peter.