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Old 29th April 2017, 11:42   #61
clf
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I can understand both sides, and have 'done' both sides. One car in particular having at least 195,000 miles on its timing belt (possibly 235,000 - it died with compression issues). The belt in my opinion at the time, and thinking back now, still looked serviceable. Of course it would have been foolish not to replace it at that point, if it was being put back on the road, it wasnt.

Missing a recommended oil service or even two is unlikely to do much serious damage, but they are relatively cheap to do. Missing 5 or 6 though would likely be a different matter lol. Missing the timing belt schedule by 5, 10 or even 20,000 miles is 'probably' going to be ok, but that all depends on your sphericals. Personally I would be thinking 'it will be my luck it will go at any moment' and that 'stress' would make me change it. I would be more concerned with missing it through time. Tyres on a low use, low mileage car would be replaced before they needed to be, due to the likely visible signs of cracking on the walls. But would it be foolish not to replace 10 year old tyres because they showed no cracking on the outside?

Tyres are safety related though, but I would tend to think of the timing belt as a 'safety' related item for the engine, AND my wallet.

But at the end of the day, it is my car, and if I received valve shaped dents into my pistons, it is my fault. If someone asked me when to change something, then I would have to suggest the recommended schedule, but dont panic too much if it is missed, but get it done as soon as. Manufacturers will give recommended times as a compromise. They cannot know what use or lack of, the car will get, so will err on the side of caution and for that reason you will(EDIT) 'likely' have a margin of error.

There is always the forgotten side of that margin of error though, you could replace the belt, and it could snap after 4 years and 40,000 miles, due to some kind of manufacturing fault, or some other component failing around it (leaking oil seal perhaps).
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Old 29th April 2017, 11:46   #62
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SD1too View Post
Brian,

There is room on this forum for all views to be expressed without you making unnecessary, insulting remarks when I happen to hold a different one to you.

Please try not to be so provocative. You have the majority on your side anyway, so what's your problem?

Simon
Hi Simon. I have no axe to grind either way on this post, but, taking all things equally, I do not think Brian was being provocative by holding a different view to anyone. The facts are in the first post,I.e. Should I change the belts before I drive it 1600 miles, or will it be ok as I can not afford to get the belts done yet. Both of us know that the belts have a supposed life of whatever RoverMG say they have from experience, not from a guess. I have always looked upon servicing my cars that I have owned over many years as a certain nescessary item based on either time or mileage. I have never had anything go bang on any engine I have had anything to do with over the years. Brian was saying more or less what I would say about changing belts on time, or even before. Not to do so on my opinion is possibly throwing money away. So although I have never had any dealings with Brian on anything, I have to agree with everything he has said on this post. This is not a slight on you, just that to risk an engine going bang because of what amounts to negligence is tantamount to throwing your money down a drain. We all say that servicing is nescesary, so why not stick to what we are told about the belts by RoverMG?
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Old 29th April 2017, 16:41   #63
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I agree with the above.
As this is an enthusiasts forum, I think that misinformation that can cause significant engine damage should not go unchallenged.

Quote:
Originally Posted by murphyv310 View Post
Surely Simon you read my post 're what the belt manufacturer Gates told me? I'd rather listen to them than take an uneducated guess about a belts timed life. You cannot compare a pollen filter or spark plugs as if one of the plugs fail you'll not need to fit new valves, get the head repaired or fit pistons and liners. Your choice to leave it but not good advice to others.
I too have been in contact with Gates in the past and would listen to them as they are one of the specialists in this field.
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Old 1st May 2017, 17:57   #64
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I assume and I'm only assuming, that when the rear belts are fitted new that there is no slack or very little, I took off the cover of the front bank (closest to the radiator) to see if I could find out the manufacturing date using the 8 digit code, I could only find a 7 figure code
the belt on the driven side was quite tight however on the opposite side it was slack, a bit like the old 'V' belt that used to drive a dynamo if you know what I mean, I don't think it will skip but it is slacker.

And yes, as I said previously, the belts are being replaced.

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