V6 Timing Belt Replacement Advice

Tree hugger · 26th April 2017, 20:17

I am thinking about buying a V6 ZTT 2005 with just over 40,000 on the clock.
It has had regular servicing inc oil and filters every 5000 miles but has not had the timing belts changed from new. I cant afford to change them immediately probably not for say 3 months or 1600 miles. Will I be taking a big gamble driving it.

Any advice appreciated.

fandango151 · 26th April 2017, 20:27

Without sounding harsh ....

Belts can go, so can pumps, tensioners etc so it always risky and few would go out of their way to say oh yes it will be fine.

My personal opinion is to get it done - simply because traders on here will do a good price and warrant their work. Broken belt is almost guaranteed to scrap the car so complete write off in pure financial terms. Even if you have to shove it on a credit card for the 3 months .. the interest in the cost of the job will outweigh the cost of losing a good motor.

As ever you pay your money and take your chances. Personal experience on another motor 24k motor looked after like gold (not a rover) me being me changes belt long before interval (mileage not age as it was passed the age) and glad I did as the pump was rather crusty which surprised me greatly !

jr.ewing* · 26th April 2017, 20:27

Yep, just read some of my threads from the last week or so ref belts, its a complete game of roulette

Dallas · 26th April 2017, 20:31

Does the price of the car reflect the belts not being done, otherwise you need to renegotiate the asking price which will aid the belts being done in your ownership.

Tree hugger · 26th April 2017, 20:35

All good points,
can you recommend a garage that can do the work in the south, Hastings Ashford area.

timspencer · 26th April 2017, 20:38

Don't risk it, it's a false economy, if you can't afford it park the car up until you can!

Stickman · 26th April 2017, 21:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tree hugger

All good points,
can you recommend a garage that can do the work in the south, Hastings Ashford area.

I don't know if there's anyone nearer to you mate
But Chris (cb750chris) ain't a million miles away
Think his workshop is around fareham/ gosport way
Regards
Chris

SD1too · 26th April 2017, 22:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tree hugger

I am thinking about buying a V6 ZTT 2005 with just over 40,000 on the clock ... has not had the timing belts changed from new. I cant afford to change them immediately probably not for say 3 months or 1600 miles. Will I be taking a big gamble driving it.

No, of course not. The belts have a service life of 90,000 miles. You will not be taking a big gamble at all.

Simon

marinabrian · 26th April 2017, 22:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by SD1too

No, of course not. The belts have a service life of 90,000 miles. You will not be taking a big gamble at all.

Simon

And only twelve years old

.........no of course you won't be taking a gamble

At the request of the OP, yes you can drive it, and yes factor in the cost of replacement circa £400-£500 and negotiate a discount based upon the fact the belts should be due their second replacement based on time.

Do not risk knacking a nice 40,000 mile car because some people bury their head in the sand in regards to this job

Brian

MSS · 27th April 2017, 06:17

We all have different approaches to cars, hence the varying condition of many examples.

My own approach would be that if I could not afford to get the belts done on a V6, I could not afford to own/run a V6.

26th April 2017, 20:17	#1
Tree hugger Newbie MG ZTT CDTI MK11 Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Cranbrook Posts: 9 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts	V6 Timing Belt Replacement Advice I am thinking about buying a V6 ZTT 2005 with just over 40,000 on the clock. It has had regular servicing inc oil and filters every 5000 miles but has not had the timing belts changed from new. I cant afford to change them immediately probably not for say 3 months or 1600 miles. Will I be taking a big gamble driving it. Any advice appreciated.

26th April 2017, 20:27	#2
fandango151 Loves to post Rover 75 Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Tamworth Posts: 291 Thanks: 2 Thanked 72 Times in 65 Posts	Without sounding harsh .... Belts can go, so can pumps, tensioners etc so it always risky and few would go out of their way to say oh yes it will be fine. My personal opinion is to get it done - simply because traders on here will do a good price and warrant their work. Broken belt is almost guaranteed to scrap the car so complete write off in pure financial terms. Even if you have to shove it on a credit card for the 3 months .. the interest in the cost of the job will outweigh the cost of losing a good motor. As ever you pay your money and take your chances. Personal experience on another motor 24k motor looked after like gold (not a rover) me being me changes belt long before interval (mileage not age as it was passed the age) and glad I did as the pump was rather crusty which surprised me greatly !

26th April 2017, 20:27	#3
jr.ewing* Loves to post mg zt Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Yorkshire Posts: 252 Thanks: 56 Thanked 23 Times in 21 Posts	Yep, just read some of my threads from the last week or so ref belts, its a complete game of roulette

26th April 2017, 20:31	#4
Dallas This is my second home 1979 Capri 1.6L, 1982 Capri 1.6L, 2016 Dacia Stepway Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Dorset Posts: 8,595 Thanks: 3,496 Thanked 3,397 Times in 2,218 Posts	Does the price of the car reflect the belts not being done, otherwise you need to renegotiate the asking price which will aid the belts being done in your ownership.

26th April 2017, 20:35	#5
Tree hugger Newbie MG ZTT CDTI MK11 Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Cranbrook Posts: 9 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts	All good points, can you recommend a garage that can do the work in the south, Hastings Ashford area.

26th April 2017, 20:38	#6
timspencer Gets stuck in MG ZTT Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: BURTON ON TRENT Posts: 854 Thanks: 125 Thanked 283 Times in 153 Posts	Don't risk it, it's a false economy, if you can't afford it park the car up until you can!

27th April 2017, 06:17	#10
MSS This is my second home Rover 75CDT, Jaguar XF-S 3.0V6, V'xhall Omega V6 Estate, Twintop 1.8VVT, Astra Estate and Corsa 1.2 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Suffolk Posts: 7,083 Thanks: 283 Thanked 624 Times in 440 Posts	We all have different approaches to cars, hence the varying condition of many examples. My own approach would be that if I could not afford to get the belts done on a V6, I could not afford to own/run a V6.