KV6 Cambelt change an old one I know

Ancientstudent · 14th April 2018, 08:29

Hi everyone I'm new to the site. Have owned a ZT 1.8 Turbo in the past and in a few days will be shelling out on a 2004 ZT+ 2.5 v6. It only has 50000 The big problem I'm having is that there is no record of a cambelt change. The owner insists the previous owner had it done in 2013. I can't afford to do it until August and will do 1500 miles before I can get it sorted out. The car has been driven 800 miles since December with no issues. My thoughts are that if it hadn't been done at all this engine wouldn't now be running. Thoughts anyone? Should I walk away?

greendriver · 14th April 2018, 08:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ancientstudent

Hi everyone I'm new to the site. Have owned a ZT 1.8 Turbo in the past and in a few days will be shelling out on a 2004 ZT+ 2.5 v6. It only has 50000 The big problem I'm having is that there is no record of a cambelt change. The owner insists the previous owner had it done in 2013. I can't afford to do it until August and will do 1500 miles before I can get it sorted out. The car has been driven 800 miles since December with no issues. My thoughts are that if it hadn't been done at all this engine wouldn't now be running. Thoughts anyone? Should I walk away?

I'm in a similar position, and was advised recently not to take a chance, and to get the belts done. Factor in the costs to the overall purchase. I am saving up....

Jim Jamieson · 14th April 2018, 08:55

I purchased my current 2002 V6 with 36k and ran it for several years and finally did a cambelt change at around 50k two years ago.
The belts I took off (original belts) were still as new.

With my project 2002 V6 which has done just about 59k the belts had been changed back in 2010 but for my own satisfaction I decided to change them just recently. In fact I just completed the job last week and had the car running.

Anyway whilst the cambelts were still as new the auxiliary belt showed early signs of failure.
It’s the old story of how long is a piece of string. At 50k the car hasn’t covered much mileage but it’s more how it’s been driven which could have more indication of the condition of the belts. If previous owner says they’ve been changed I’m surprised he doesn’t have proof i.e. receipts etc however whilst it’s difficult to get at the belts to do a visual you can view the auxiliary belt to see its general condition.
It’s entirely up to you as you are the one spending the money but if the price is right and the condition of the car is appropriate go for it.
There’s a lot more V6’s running today which are due cambelt change than the number of V6’s which have failed due to cambelts breaking.
What I’m saying is you always tend to hear of the failures.

SD1too · 14th April 2018, 09:06

Hi Tony and

to the club.

The timing belts have a service life of 90,000 miles. Your engine has covered 50,000 so they will be fine. My engine has covered just over 90,000 miles so I am renewing them at the moment. Mine have never been changed before so they are nearly 19 years old. My rear belts look as good as new and the exposed parts of the front belt likewise.

Most people get themselves into a panic about timing belts because they believe that they are going to disintegrate after 6 years, whether they are rotating or not. Well, my experience demonstrates the truth about that and so does the 75 displayed at Gaydon.

So Tony you can safely cover another 1,500 miles before you renew them with no worries at all (in fact you can drive for a further 40,000 miles). Furthermore, your fear that the engine wouldn’t be running if the belts were not renewed in 2013 is unfounded. So you don’t need to walk away on this basis but you should, of course, satisfy yourself that the car has received diligent service in all respects throughout its life and has not been mechanically abused.

Simon

Mike Trident · 14th April 2018, 13:17

It's age or mileage with timing belts, or any of the drive belts.

I would never push a timing belt to the mileage if it was well over the age limit. It has more to do with heat cycles than just mileage. Years ago I damaged my engine in a Metro diesel when the belt lost a few teeth. The belt didn't snap and it even looked like new. I might add that this belt was only 600 miles over the recommended change mileage of 72K. Shortly after this MG/Rover decided to reduce the timing belt mileage to 60K

Some may get away with it, others won't be so lucky!

trikey · 14th April 2018, 18:43

And don't forget guys, the plastic tensioners have been known to suffer from age too.

SD1too · 14th April 2018, 19:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by trikey

And don't forget guys, the plastic tensioners have been known to suffer from age too.

Mine are 19 years old Trikey and I’ve suffered no ill effects. 19 divided by 6 years equals 3 unnecessary belt changes!

Simon

Ched · 14th April 2018, 19:09

My 190 has full service history, the belts, not the water pump were changed at 43000 miles with genuine parts, at 93000 I had Gavin replace the whole lot and upon inspection just in the nick of time, the tensioner bearing was squealing, the main belt was slack, water pump leaking as was the thermostat.
Just my tuppence worth.

SD1too · 14th April 2018, 19:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ched

My 190 has full service history, the belts ... were changed at 43000 miles with genuine parts, at 93000 ... the tensioner bearing was squealing, the main belt was slack ...

Thanks for this Ched. You don’t make it clear whether the tensioner was checked and, if necessary, renewed at 43,000 miles. If not, then that shows that it has a service life of 90,000 miles. If it was renewed, then I would be suspicious because mine didn’t give trouble after 50,000 miles. So why would a genuine part, properly fitted, fail early?

Simon

roverbarmy · 14th April 2018, 19:20

Belts are a gamble. What's your engine worth?

I had a Ford (dealer fitted) cambelt go at three years and three months (recommended change at three years - diesel) It cost me a new head. I've seen others do over a hundred thousand with no servicing at all!!!

14th April 2018, 08:29	#1
Ancientstudent Newbie MGZT Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Maidstone Posts: 1 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	KV6 Cambelt change an old one I know Hi everyone I'm new to the site. Have owned a ZT 1.8 Turbo in the past and in a few days will be shelling out on a 2004 ZT+ 2.5 v6. It only has 50000 The big problem I'm having is that there is no record of a cambelt change. The owner insists the previous owner had it done in 2013. I can't afford to do it until August and will do 1500 miles before I can get it sorted out. The car has been driven 800 miles since December with no issues. My thoughts are that if it hadn't been done at all this engine wouldn't now be running. Thoughts anyone? Should I walk away? Last edited by Ancientstudent; 14th April 2018 at 08:34.. Reason: Typos/ blindness

14th April 2018, 09:06	#4
SD1too Doesn't do things by halves Rover 75 2.5 Connoisseur Auto (1999) Dealer launch model. Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Former Middlesex Posts: 20,337 Thanks: 1,587 Thanked 3,749 Times in 3,181 Posts	Hi Tony and to the club. The timing belts have a service life of 90,000 miles. Your engine has covered 50,000 so they will be fine. My engine has covered just over 90,000 miles so I am renewing them at the moment. Mine have never been changed before so they are nearly 19 years old. My rear belts look as good as new and the exposed parts of the front belt likewise. Most people get themselves into a panic about timing belts because they believe that they are going to disintegrate after 6 years, whether they are rotating or not. Well, my experience demonstrates the truth about that and so does the 75 displayed at Gaydon. So Tony you can safely cover another 1,500 miles before you renew them with no worries at all (in fact you can drive for a further 40,000 miles). Furthermore, your fear that the engine wouldn’t be running if the belts were not renewed in 2013 is unfounded. So you don’t need to walk away on this basis but you should, of course, satisfy yourself that the car has received diligent service in all respects throughout its life and has not been mechanically abused. Simon __________________ "Whatever is rightly done, however humble, is noble." Sir Henry Royce.

14th April 2018, 13:17	#5
Mike Trident Posted a thing or two Rover 75 CDTi Saloon & Citroen C1 Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Oakenshaw, Near Bradford Posts: 1,622 Thanks: 385 Thanked 552 Times in 328 Posts	It's age or mileage with timing belts, or any of the drive belts. I would never push a timing belt to the mileage if it was well over the age limit. It has more to do with heat cycles than just mileage. Years ago I damaged my engine in a Metro diesel when the belt lost a few teeth. The belt didn't snap and it even looked like new. I might add that this belt was only 600 miles over the recommended change mileage of 72K. Shortly after this MG/Rover decided to reduce the timing belt mileage to 60K Some may get away with it, others won't be so lucky! __________________ Rover 75 2.0 CDTi (131Ps) Conn SE Saloon. (Manual) 160 Remap, cruise control, electric window blind, temp gauge, Real walnut / ZT interior, FBH with GSM control. BORN Tuesday, 5th October 2004 @ 12:35:52 This vehicle was the 104,679th 75 to run off the production line, out of 112,381 This vehicle was the 3,318th 75 CDT Connoisseur SE (135) to be made out of 4,744 This vehicle was the 12,440th 75 in Starlight Silver (code: MBB) to be made out of 14,280 Starlight Silver 75s

14th April 2018, 18:43	#6
trikey Premium Trader Rover 75 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Devon Posts: 33,756 Thanks: 8,837 Thanked 14,831 Times in 8,030 Posts	And don't forget guys, the plastic tensioners have been known to suffer from age too. __________________ Lest we forget..

14th April 2018, 19:20	#10
roverbarmy This is my second home Roverless + 1.7D Sportage Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: East Norfolk Posts: 7,048 Thanks: 729 Thanked 2,021 Times in 1,449 Posts	Belts are a gamble. What's your engine worth? I had a Ford (dealer fitted) cambelt go at three years and three months (recommended change at three years - diesel) It cost me a new head. I've seen others do over a hundred thousand with no servicing at all!!! __________________ Oil in my veins! Last edited by roverbarmy; 14th April 2018 at 19:23..

14th April 2018, 08:55	#3
Jim Jamieson This is my second home Rover less ! Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Tarbolton Posts: 3,442 Thanks: 393 Thanked 888 Times in 542 Posts	I purchased my current 2002 V6 with 36k and ran it for several years and finally did a cambelt change at around 50k two years ago. The belts I took off (original belts) were still as new. With my project 2002 V6 which has done just about 59k the belts had been changed back in 2010 but for my own satisfaction I decided to change them just recently. In fact I just completed the job last week and had the car running. Anyway whilst the cambelts were still as new the auxiliary belt showed early signs of failure. It’s the old story of how long is a piece of string. At 50k the car hasn’t covered much mileage but it’s more how it’s been driven which could have more indication of the condition of the belts. If previous owner says they’ve been changed I’m surprised he doesn’t have proof i.e. receipts etc however whilst it’s difficult to get at the belts to do a visual you can view the auxiliary belt to see its general condition. It’s entirely up to you as you are the one spending the money but if the price is right and the condition of the car is appropriate go for it. There’s a lot more V6’s running today which are due cambelt change than the number of V6’s which have failed due to cambelts breaking. What I’m saying is you always tend to hear of the failures.

14th April 2018, 19:09	#8
Ched I really should get out more....... MG ZT V8, MGZT 135 derv ,MG TF 135 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Romsey Posts: 2,293 Thanks: 553 Thanked 573 Times in 385 Posts	My 190 has full service history, the belts, not the water pump were changed at 43000 miles with genuine parts, at 93000 I had Gavin replace the whole lot and upon inspection just in the nick of time, the tensioner bearing was squealing, the main belt was slack, water pump leaking as was the thermostat. Just my tuppence worth.

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