M20 Cam belt

[ETERNITY]

Cambelt was done in 2008 and mileage was 168900

Mileage is now 188700

Done 20000miles since last change

It's been 4 years

Should I change it

[Rtaylor2208]

I would say yes, for the sake of under £100 in parts for the tensioner, belt and water pump it's worth while.

Its a coont of a job if doing yourself and you havn't done it before.

[ETERNITY]

but it's done 20k.

does the 4 year period matter

[Grrrmachine]

Yes, it does. The rubber has a finite life, and 4 years is what BMW recommends - 4 years or 60k, whichever comes sooner.

For peace of mind, get it done.

[e30den]

Yes, its not a difficult job. remove the rad to create more room and the rest is pretty easy if you know the difference between a spanner and a hammer

[Brianmoooore]

As cambelt changing goes, the M20 engine is about as easy as it gets!
If the tensioner was changed the last time, you can use that again. The time limit only applies to the belt itself.

[ETERNITY]

Ok so even if you do a thousand in 4 years,it should be changed.

[Barx325i]

indeed 'should' but it's pot luck - it's a lot to ask for a bit of rubber to resist perishing. You'll be furious if it goes. It is an easy job really

[sweep]

Just get it done......then you can sleep at night

[ETERNITY]

Ok get my mechanic to do it

[Barx325i]

balls man, get your hands dirty & mash your hands up in the process..

[ETERNITY]

No time dude

[daimlerman]

Bearing in mind that a belt costs about £10,but it's failure will lead to a bill running well into 4 fiqures,I change at three years/30k miles!