m20 cam belt 10 years old but only done 11k miles

[jimbom30cab]

i know everyone is going to say, change it to be on the safe side as that makes perfect sense so can't argue with that.

but although its 10 years old, it has only done 11k miles if the speedo has not been tampered with.

Is there a shelf life with these?

should i change it now do you think or risk it for a few months until the cab is back on the road??

ta

[Jim320i]

For the sake of £40 (That the price of a belt kit these days?) you may as well get it changed.

Isnt it recommended to change them every 4 years/40k? (Might be wrong)

[jimbom30cab]

can't dissagree with that Jim, its just getting the time, i don't get much free time and i really want to get the cab back on the road for some topless fun !!

[Speedtouch]

Depends if it's been sitting in one position for 10 years, or regularly turned over once in a while.

If it appears to be in good condition, then it's probably going to be OK for a while yet.

[blondboy84]

if you don't change it now, then at least don't drive it like you stole it on one of my ex cars my x-girlfriend broke the belt switching from first to second gear at about 6k rpm. cambelt was due to be changed in about 8k km (from 100k max life)

[blondboy84]

Depends if it's been sitting in one position for 10 years, or regularly turned over once in a while.

If it appears to be in good condition, then it's probably going to be OK for a while yet.

yeah, but you can't see micro tears on it.
material is old anyway.
as in the saying: Better safe, than sorry ;)

[Rtaylor2208]

Jim I would change it. You would be raging if it breaks and what could have been £40 and 2 hours work turns into a rebuild.

[Topblag]

£40 quid and some spannering against £150 for another lump and a load more spannering. Add on another £90 in coolant, engine oil, another timing belt kit and sundries, at least and you're at £240.

The question is, do you feel lucky and is the £240 and a shed load of time and mess a big issue ?

[Brianmoooore]

Get it changed ASAP! No need to fit a 'kit' if one was fitted 11k miles ago. Bearings don't have a shelf life, but rubber does. Just change the belt.

[Speedtouch]

I bought a car in 2009 with a rebuilt Fiat twin cam that had been sitting in a garage for a few years, and wondered/worried about the condition of the cambelt, but have been using it for 3 years now without any issues.

That said, I shall change it soon...

[Rtaylor2208]

Get it changed ASAP! No need to fit a 'kit' if one was fitted 11k miles ago. Bearings don't have a shelf life, but rubber does. Just change the belt.

Brian is spot on about not being a kit. The belt is under £20 from CP4L and 5L coolant about £13 for 5 litres from a decent motor factors.

If it turns out when replacing the belt the pump needs done the circoli one on CP4L is a metal impeller and cheap and the tensioner can be had cheap enough.

Strangely enough the belt and tensioner are cheaper purchased seperatly than as a kit.

It's a bloody hateful job, but if you have done it before I reckon it can be done in about 2 hours which is about as long as it took me a few weeks back when doing the belt and pump and I'm definetly no mechanic.

[Brianmoooore]

It's a bloody hateful job,

Hateful job? It's one of the easiest cam belts to change known to mankind! Would be easier still if the bonnet opened the conventional way.

[Rtaylor2208]

It's not particularly difficult, just not enjoyable without the bonet off and a ramp to make getting at bit from underneath easier.

[mrLEE30]

belts even have a shelf life when they are on the shelf.

The ones I buy here in the middle East have a due date on the box, thus as Brian says the rubber has a finite life, less if stored incorrectly..or worse if stretched on the car...it could be feasible that the belt could last for another thirty years, it could break the next time you start it...and thus rings true of a brand new belt too, although warrrenties and consequntial dsmages apply here.

so yes for the sake of a few hours change the belt, the water pump and the tensioner.

[TPS]

I echo everything that been said here, get it changed, as soon as humanly possible!

My M40 one broke, whilst waiting & a set of traffic lights, a week before it was booked in, for it to be changed, luckily I got away with just a new belt, and an ear bashing.

[Alex]

Mines 12 years old and done 10k or something

Its on the to do list

[daimlerman]

i know everyone is going to say,

So why ask the question?

Every three years or 30k miles.

£10 for a belt
£1.5k for an engine re-build

Your choice!

[Silverfang]

Change the belt at least, Bearings do have a shelf life though as well as the grease in them can dry out after a few years (hence why they need changing) but only if they're regularly used

The belt though would have aged / cracked and could be a liabilty! as above, get it changed out asap, for the sake of £30 or so, better safe than spending 10 times that on a engine rebuild.

[B7]

Jim. My car has done 1500 miles in 3 years. And it'll be getting a belt before it sees the road.

Its a no brainer. 10 years????

[j4gz]

I'm due to get mine done too it has also been ten years but I have been advised to also change the water pump too at the same time for the sake of £30 get them both done because I'm sure my mechanic goes you need o take it off to get to it I'm definatly doing both and costing about £250 for parts and labour .

[broadie]

I do mine at 5years regardless of what it is or mileage.
Carparts for less if you spend £100 "CP15LESS" will get you £15 off

[jimbom30cab]

right o, great advice, thanks

cam belt weekend fun coming up