General Cambelt change

[Hadders720]

I’ve heard that cambelts on cars needed to be changed on cars after 70K. Is that a myth? As I’m rather sure my sporting has had a cambelt change at 45K?
Thanks
Hadley

 

[derbyshire gp]

fiat states as do most manufacturers every 60k or 5 years whichever is soonest

 

[Eklipze3k]

Every engine is different, so you need to refer to the handbook/service manual for your specific vehicle. Changing things early isn't going to cause an issue, though.

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

Every engine is different, so you need to refer to the handbook/service manual for your specific vehicle. Changing things early isn't going to cause an issue, though.

As Eklipze says all engines are different and recommended change intervals vary a lot. Manufacturer's recommendations, which may be different from engine type to engine type of the same manufacturer, need to be consulted. Failing to change the belt at the recommended interval (and importantly, any supporting hardware such as tension, idler or water pump if it is part of the drive chain) can have catastrophic consequences. Bent valves, holes in pistons and other mayhem! Very expensive even if you can do it yourself. Probably terminal (new engine) if you need to pay someone for labour.

Always worth checking to see what the latest recommendation is for your engine as manufacturers do change this as experience of failures on a particular model are learned. Strangely, perhaps, my experience has been that the belts rarely fail of their own accord! More usually you'll find an idler or, more often, a water pump bearing fails and Bob's you Auntie, as they say!

A bit of a myth seems to have grown up around chain drives too. In that people think they last a lot longer. Well some do and then again some don't! Ignore frequent oil changes at your peril! Lately a number of early failures seem to have taken place with single row "silent" chains. Also chains wear and stretch which throws valve timing out a little (belts don't do that) but mostly I would prefer a belt because I keep my cars a long time so several belt changes or at least one chain are going to be needed. It's a lot easier to change a belt and, generally, a belt kit is considerably cheaper!

Hope that helps
Regards
Jock

 

[chris3234]

As Eklipze says all engines are different and recommended change intervals vary a lot. Manufacturer's recommendations, which may be different from engine type to engine type of the same manufacturer, need to be consulted. Failing to change the belt at the recommended interval (and importantly, any supporting hardware such as tension, idler or water pump if it is part of the drive chain) can have catastrophic consequences. Bent valves, holes in pistons and other mayhem! Very expensive even if you can do it yourself. Probably terminal (new engine) if you need to pay someone for labour.

Always worth checking to see what the latest recommendation is for your engine as manufacturers do change this as experience of failures on a particular model are learned. Strangely, perhaps, my experience has been that the belts rarely fail of their own accord! More usually you'll find an idler or, more often, a water pump bearing fails and Bob's you Auntie, as they say!

A bit of a myth seems to have grown up around chain drives too. In that people think they last a lot longer. Well some do and then again some don't! Ignore frequent oil changes at your peril! Lately a number of early failures seem to have taken place with single row "silent" chains. Also chains wear and stretch which throws valve timing out a little (belts don't do that) but mostly I would prefer a belt because I keep my cars a long time so several belt changes or at least one chain are going to be needed. It's a lot easier to change a belt and, generally, a belt kit is considerably cheaper!

Hope that helps
Regards
Jock

If you keep it through several belt changes cycles thou the chain becomes cheeper as youd need to do that once rather then ,2-3 belt changes

Depending on how they are big changed
Some chains require and engine removal