M20 cambelt interval? Which kit???

[miniblob]

So while doing lots of bits on my touring, I'm trying to think when I last changed the cam belt!!!

I see in the wiki it's recommended at 50k miles, but is there a time interval???
Should it be changed after say 5 years? More?

I know mine was def over 4 years - need to try and find the paperwork at my mother's house!!!

[steve_k]

If you cant remember when it was last done then change it for peace of mind.

Cambelts are cheap, engine rebuilds not so much.

[miniblob]

Yeah, that's my thinking - just another expense I had overlooked!!!

Will try and find the paperwork - just wondered if I can squeeze a bit longer out of it, or if I should be panicking!!!

[miniblob]

So from this, I'll be looking to have the cambelt done, middle of next week....

Are all the kits on ebay, euros, etc all much the same quality???
Are any better quality than others - or should I be sticking to dealer parts for this???

[steve_k]

So from this, I'll be looking to have the cambelt done, middle of next week....

Are all the kits on ebay, euros, etc all much the same quality???
Are any better quality than others - or should I be sticking to dealer parts for this???

it's a bit like everything else, you get what you pay for,

i got all my bits from rock auto in the states, gates belt, water pump etc, but that was because i had plenty of time to get everything i needed.

i got lucky & got a gates racing, kevlar belt (the blue one).

time before then i went to euro's, not the cheapest but no complaints from me.
all comes down to budget.

[paultv]

I've done a few belts and finally paid a little more for the genuine BMW item...they are made by Contitech but carry the BMW mark, also get a genuine BMW tensioner pulley, this is not an area of the engine you want to penny pinch over...

Do the work yourself and you only have to buy the parts, makes it totally affordable.

Paul