Cambelt Longevity

[Neil-yaj396]

This is a purely rhetorical post from a Beta perspective, having had the belt changed on my car last year after 5 years and about 10,000 miles. However, I do often think how belts have developed and what true age and milage they are actually capable off.? My last personal experience of a failure was on my mother's Mk1 Nissan Micra in the late nineties (Nissan installed a chain on the Mk2). More recently a friend had the cam chain fail on his Mk6 Golf GTI after just 3 years and 30,000 miles.

My MG TF and Ypsilon are both due a change soon and both will be done for peace of mind at a fair old cost.

After market manufacturers are never going to claim indestructability as they might face liability and belts are not always fitted and tensioned correctly, but some new smaller engined cars don't have a change specified anymore. I do wonder.....

[peteracs]

Hi Neil

Given the Beta cambelt change is not too arduous, certainly compared to the one on the Saab which entailed taking a load of stuff off including one engine mount. I would stick with the original spec. Also never hurts to check the tensioner bearing and water pump at the same time. I know the mileage will be nominal, but it also means the belt can be left sitting in one position for extended period which will not be good for it.

Peter

[Neil-yaj396]

Posted just for interest on this subject a picture of the 11 year old belt from my MG. In very good nick considering and noticeably meater than the Beta belt.......