Hello, I have just aquired an Escort van 1999 with 103000 miles on the clock, the chap I got it from assures me that the cambelt has been changed but could not prove it as he cannot find the receipt, is there any physical easy way you can tell if a cambelt has been changed? Are there any tell tail signs?
Look forward to any help on this
M - soory poseted twice by mistake!!!!

Not that I know of. Check the belt visually to see if there is any fraying or wear on it. I had my cambelt changed on a Civic ofter 65,000 miles and it still looked brand new so it might be difficult unless he can provide a reciept.

If i was in your shoes i would just shell out for a service with a cambelt change. May be costly but if you are to keep the car for a while you have peace of mind and it just may save you needing an engine change. 10 years ago i had bought an audi 80 16v sport with FASH at 42k and 4K later the cambelt went. Lesson learnt was a car with questionable history i always get the cambelt changed.

Aye, belts are worth looking after!