Hi Folks, I am going to view an E30 this weekend and could use some advice. The car has not done more than 5K miles (not 5 million) since its last timing belt change, but it has been about 5 years since it was last done. There is an MOT until August 2016, but can we trust that to mean the timing belt was checked and given the okay?
Basically I am worried it won't make the 230 mile trip back if I bought it.
Any thoughts?
Sean
Timing belt check
Moderator: martauto
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SeanOB
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Last edited by SeanOB on Fri Jan 08, 2016 8:50 am, edited 1 time in total.
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jslot
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I know absolutely nothing about mot's but I can't imagine they would check the cam belt. 5 million miles is long overdue for a belt. 5000 miles is well below the mileage for a belt change but 5 years is a bit borderline.
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SeanOB
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Hahah yeh I shouldn't post anything first thing, clearly. 5K miles... Thanks for the reply.jslot wrote:I know absolutely nothing about mot's but I can't imagine they would check the cam belt. 5 million miles is long overdue for a belt. 5000 miles is well below the mileage for a belt change but 5 years is a bit borderline.
I figured the 5 years is a bit of a push, is there any quick way to check the condition of the belt?
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andysheep
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I would try and get her home carefully and get that belt changed and tensioner,its going to be sink or swim,it may give you confidence in a short amount of time or sadly grenade the engine,im on holiday and painting my second e30 for the summer so between coats of paint if you need any help pm me and ill come and be jealous of your new baby,im just up the road glad to help,
Andy
Andy
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andysheep
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What engine is it ,and the belt not realy exposed to do a service check on most engines with out breaking the front of the engine down,borascope maybe???
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SeanOB
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Hey Andy, thanks a mil man, would be great to meet up sometime. This one is a M20B25... and a scope may be the only answer!
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andysheep
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Oh a big dog!iv got two m20b20s and chromie m10,1.8,good luck and check very carefully for tin worm,saves a lot of heartache and welding in future 
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SeanOB
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Ooooo a nice stash of E30's 
! Yup I am hoping this one is sorted as it has previously had a lot of welding done by a resto garage. They seem to have replaced most everything except the darn timing belt, annoyingly.
! Yup I am hoping this one is sorted as it has previously had a lot of welding done by a resto garage. They seem to have replaced most everything except the darn timing belt, annoyingly.-
Brianmoooore
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Belt will be absolutely fine. Keep an eye on the temp. gauge, though, and if it starts to climb into the red, STOP and find out why,even if you're just a few miles from home.
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SeanOB
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Thank you, I will play it safe if I do end up buying it.Brianmoooore wrote:Belt will be absolutely fine. Keep an eye on the temp. gauge, though, and if it starts to climb into the red, STOP and find out why,even if you're just a few miles from home.
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andysheep
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Hes right as allways the price of a tow truck is allways cheaper(even in our neck of the woods) than dealing with a warped head,got my fingers crossed,Brianmoooore wrote:Belt will be absolutely fine. Keep an eye on the temp. gauge, though, and if it starts to climb into the red, STOP and find out why,even if you're just a few miles from home.