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?

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....

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.

Hi Tony and :welcome: 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

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!

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

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.;)

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? :shrug:

Simon

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