NOS (new old stock) Timing Belts

[DMGRS]

Originally Posted by sean75

The belts I've just replaced, not because of degradation I hasten to add, were fitted in 2010. it's entirely possible that the belts that were recently fitted are no newer or bizarrely older than this.

It's quite unnerving ,but really I have had no choice but to replace with what was available at the time, as it was a case of refitting existing belts when changing the hydraulic tensioner, or a new(old stock) alternative.

The label on the box that the belts came packed in has a barcode with the part number , product code and CD/05/23 which I hope is the manufacturing date.

The code you mention seems to match up with a Britpart label format - were they from them?
If so, we've had them check all of their stock, and it's all 2008.
(Edited to add: I've just checked and it seems several suppliers share this date code system. If they're ours, they'll definitely be 2012 rather than 2008)

All of ours are 2012, as our supplier has been on the same batch for quite a while - a bit better, but still not ideal.

It's important to remember that your replacement belts will have been stored in a semi-sealed bag for the majority of the time since manufacture - an environment a lot more forgiving than being shielded from the elements by only a plastic cover, and being subjected to engine temperatures of up to 90(ish) degrees.

[Arctic]

HI Paul.
Try mister auto give them a ring see what they say.

https://www.mister-auto.co.uk/timing...-307-16341-gv/

https://www.autodoc.co.uk/car-parts/...j/10462-2-5-v6

Anywhere these belts are obtained from we need to ask for a date on the belt really by the look of it.

[Reebs]

Originally Posted by Arctic

HI Paul.
Try mister auto give them a ring see what they say.

https://www.mister-auto.co.uk/timing...-307-16341-gv/

https://www.autodoc.co.uk/car-parts/...j/10462-2-5-v6

Anywhere these belts are obtained from we need to ask for a date on the belt really by the look of it.

Thanks for the links Steve, I’d already looked at auto doc but as it’s online only, you can’t speak to anyone to get them to check the date of the belt. That looks to be the same with mister-auto too?

I’m going in person in the morning to the local motor factor who are getting me in a Gates belt. I’ll see if there is a date code on it of some sort, but if there isn’t, then I don’t know what to do?

[DMGRS]

Originally Posted by Reebs

Thanks for the links Steve, I’d already looked at auto doc but as it’s online only, you can’t speak to anyone to get them to check the date of the belt. That looks to be the same with mister-auto too?

I’m going in person in the morning to the local motor factor who are getting me in a Gates belt. I’ll see if there is a date code on it of some sort, but if there isn’t, then I don’t know what to do?

We'll have replacement stock within date in the next few days, all being well - I've just had a productive phone call with another supplier of a different brand.

[Rick-sta]

I feel the comments against DMGRS on this are a bit too negative here. The team at DMGRs are our most trusted supplier for us MG Rover owners by miles, we're highly spoilt by their expertise and dedication to keeping our cars on the road, for let's face it a marque that is in decline and has been for some time now. We don't realise how lucky we are to have such a specialised supplier on our side who are members of our marque's community rather than just a supplier who sells us parts.

Taking a step back, a detail like this issue is easily missed when you don't expect the date on the belt to be much different from the date on the packaging. I mean it sounds like 100+ people have missed it until now and not just DMGRs' customers, but other retails and those who have bought these belts from them and the fitters/mechanics as well. So I can see how this can be missed.

DMGRS have only just noticed this issue and are actively dealing with this quickly and reaching out by replying to this post and a similar one on one of the facebook groups.

So as it stands currently, it sounds like the majority of belts on the market are from 2008 or 2012 from trusted suppliers. This means that there must be 100's if not 1000's of KV6s with these belts fitted many of which fitted within the last 6 years which is how long the belts are expected to last before needing replacing again. Now how often do you hear of a cambelt failure on a v6? They're pretty rare from what I've seen in the 12 years of being on MG Rover clubs. Can you imagine how many kv6's are out there running belts well past their replacement schedule as well? With the quantity of these kits DMGRs sell and also fit themselves, they have a hell of a lot of 1st hand data and experience to back their claims.

Whilst the situation is not ideal, my view is the opinion and advice of the team at DMGRs we can trust with confidence.

[sean75]

I agree,

I was glad to be able to source the parts I needed from a trusted supplier rather than A.N.Other motor factors. It got me back on the road and with a degree of confidence that the parts were of the best quality I could obtain.

If DMGRS have said they will guarantee the part that's fine with me, I won't be insisting my mechanic changes the belts again until it's necessary. The last set of belts came off with less than 3000 miles usage after 14 years in service and were like new.

This won't be everyone's view and that's fine, but really, what is the alternative??

[DMGRS]

Originally Posted by Rick-sta

I feel the comments against DMGRS on this are a bit too negative here. The team at DMGRs are our most trusted supplier for us MG Rover owners by miles, we're highly spoilt by their expertise and dedication to keeping our cars on the road, for let's face it a marque that is in decline and has been for some time now. We don't realise how lucky we are to have such a specialised supplier on our side who are members of our marque's community rather than just a supplier who sells us parts.

Taking a step back, a detail like this issue is easily missed when you don't expect the date on the belt to be much different from the date on the packaging. I mean it sounds like 100+ people have missed it until now and not just DMGRs' customers, but other retails and those who have bought these belts from them and the fitters/mechanics as well. So I can see how this can be missed.

DMGRS have only just noticed this issue and are actively dealing with this quickly and reaching out by replying to this post and a similar one on one of the facebook groups.

So as it stands currently, it sounds like the majority of belts on the market are from 2008 or 2012 from trusted suppliers. This means that there must be 100's if not 1000's of KV6s with these belts fitted many of which fitted within the last 6 years which is how long the belts are expected to last before needing replacing again. Now how often do you hear of a cambelt failure on a v6? They're pretty rare from what I've seen in the 12 years of being on MG Rover clubs. Can you imagine how many kv6's are out there running belts well past their replacement schedule as well? With the quantity of these kits DMGRs sell and also fit themselves, they have a hell of a lot of 1st hand data and experience to back their claims.

Whilst the situation is not ideal, my view is the option and advice of the team at DMGRs we can trust with confidence.

Thank you for your kind words - it's caught us a little off guard, but we are indeed doing everything we can to source a more recently made belt along with making sure people who have the Dayco item fitted are re-assured that they'll not have any issues.

We have warranty data from the supplier which has been made available to us - that is that precisely zero of these belts have been submitted as warranty claims in the current period (several years) - testament to the fact the belts have been stored under the best possible conditions are are absolutely fine to use.

We will be finding a source of newer belts as soon as is feasible, but those with them fitted don't need to worry - they're safe, will last the full interval and if you do have any issues we're on hand to sort it for you.

[vitesse]

Too negative? I appreciate DMGRS and have put a lot of business their way, but when a problem like this arises who if not the supplier do we turn to? I have just checked my large primary belt - there is no date on the packaging, just a large plastic bag, same with the one delivered in November last year. The smaller rear belts have boxes, but no indication of date of manufacture - they do however have a sticker with the rather tarnished name of “All Makes 4 x 4 Premium range, 2 year warranty”

I’ve not fitted the November belts due to a lingering hand injury, and now have no wish to fit these supplied belts. Same with the ones delivered last week, which were due to be fitted to another owner’s car on the 30th of this month by a ex-MG/Rover friend.

I would like to know whether DMGRS will supply me, Reebs and anyone else with not yet fitted 2012 belts with branded replacement ones at no cost, is that really too negative?

Regards

[sean75]

Originally Posted by DMGRS

The code you mention seems to match up with a Britpart label format - were they from them?
If so, we've had them check all of their stock, and it's all 2008.
(Edited to add: I've just checked and it seems several suppliers share this date code system. If they're ours, they'll definitely be 2012 rather than 2008)

All of ours are 2012, as our supplier has been on the same batch for quite a while - a bit better, but still not ideal.

It's important to remember that your replacement belts will have been stored in a semi-sealed bag for the majority of the time since manufacture - an environment a lot more forgiving than being shielded from the elements by only a plastic cover, and being subjected to engine temperatures of up to 90(ish) degrees.

They were purchased from DMGRS as part of a full timing belt kit with additional tensioner plunger invoice number 64826.

I appreciate that as a company you’ve declared that a guarantee on the belts is in place , but should this be provided in a manner more formal than a forum post?

That’s a question not a recommendation or criticism.

[daveo138]

Originally Posted by vitesse

Too negative?

I would like to know whether DMGRS will supply me, Reebs and anyone else with not yet fitted 2012 belts with branded replacement ones at no cost, is that really too negative?

Regards

I think DMGRS covered that in post #45

"Once we have established new supply we'll of course swap any unfitted belts over if the customer wishes to do so"

Going forward, I can see there will be a problem sourcing parts that are specific to 75/ZT and particularly V6 versions, due to diminishing numbers of remaining cars. Manufacturers are likely to be unwilling to do production runs of low numbers. If they do a run of larger numbers, there will again be a lot of 'old stock' sitting around waiting for buyers.