NOS (new old stock) Timing Belts

[DMGRS]

Originally Posted by 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

We've already confirmed in previous posts that we'll be swapping all unfitted belts at no cost to the customer - don't worry.
But first, we need to find supply of belts that are a lot younger - something I'm working on, but they're not in my hand just yet.

[DMGRS]

Originally Posted by sean75

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.

We're still putting together a full plan to deal with this, but we will indeed be making a more formal communication in the coming days / weeks once we have good supply of a replacement belt.

We want to make sure we have enough on hand to immediately swap over any belts for customers that request this - so we've decided to hold off until they're in our warehouse.
Fingers crossed it shouldn't be too long!

[vitesse]

Originally Posted by DMGRS

We've already confirmed in previous posts that we'll be swapping all unfitted belts at no cost to the customer - don't worry.
But first, we need to find supply of belts that are a lot younger - something I'm working on, but they're not in my hand just yet.

Thank you, "at no cost to the customer" was the important bit missing in the earlier post. Swedish postal rates are horrendous.

I've advised the owner booked for fitting on the 30th of the situation, but won't be surprised if he decides to wait for the new belts rather than the 2012 ones.

Regards

[Briodyjl01]

When you get these newer belts it would be good to see photos of them first.

Originally Posted by DMGRS

We're still putting together a full plan to deal with this, but we will indeed be making a more formal communication in the coming days / weeks once we have good supply of a replacement belt.

We want to make sure we have enough on hand to immediately swap over any belts for customers that request this - so we've decided to hold off until they're in our warehouse.
Fingers crossed it shouldn't be too long!

[Briodyjl01]

I will be sending you an email tomorrow or in the next few days. I think I trim to my local trusted motorfactors is in order to see what they have as I have lost the trust with these sadly. Especially for a pre production prototype that has its original matching number engine.

[DMGRS]

Originally Posted by vitesse

Thank you, "at no cost to the customer" was the important bit missing in the earlier post. Swedish postal rates are horrendous.

I've advised the owner booked for fitting on the 30th of the situation, but won't be surprised if he decides to wait for the new belts rather than the 2012 ones.

Regards

Hello there, my apologies - right you are! I thought I'd said it was at no cost, but forgot to type it the words.
Either way, we'll make sure it's sorted for you.

[DMGRS]

Originally Posted by Briodyjl01

I will be sending you an email tomorrow or in the next few days. I think I trim to my local trusted motorfactors is in order to see what they have as I have lost the trust with these sadly. Especially for a pre production prototype that has its original matching number engine.

That's no problem at all - if you have a kit there we can arrange a return of some or all of it for you.
I'll also send over some pictures of the replacement belts - at the moment we're hoping to work with Gates to have a new batch produced (as they've confirmed there's not many of the current batch left in stock).

The Gates belts also have a date code present, so you can check they're to your satisfaction (assuming that's what they'll have, as most factors do).

[Reebs]

Originally Posted by DMGRS

The Gates belts also have a date code present, so you can check they're to your satisfaction (assuming that's what they'll have, as most factors do).

Hi Mat, firstly thanks for posting updates here and keeping us informed of your actions, it’s appreciated and certainly shows as a company you care and put customers first.

You say the Gates belts also have a date code present, is it the same format as that of the Dayco ones? If not can you tell us how to decipher it please? I’m going to inspect a Gates belt tomorrow and would really like to know how to read the date.

Thanks

Paul.

[Reebs]

The Gates belt I ordered in from Romsey Motor Factors arrived today and looks to be an old but unused genuine package. There is no date on any of the box labelling.



The only numbers printed on the belt are as follows:



The number sequence and amount of digits differs from the Dayco belt coding so I have no way of knowing what the year of manufacture is for this Gates timing belt? It does have the number 12 on it however, so does that indicate another 2012 stock item? I’ve emailed Gates directly for an explanation of the belt number but have had no reply so far (they cannot be telephoned)

For those members on here who have posted that they always go for Gates belts, can you please tell me how you know the age of the belts you use because I have searched and searched and searched the internet without an answer.

As it stands, as I don’t have definite proof that the Gates belt has been sitting around on a shelf for the last 12 years, I’m sticking with that and will ask DMGRS to refund me for the Dayco belt.

It just goes to show, that with Rimmers apparently holding 2008 new old stock, and other online and motor factor suppliers having no knowledge of the age of the belts they order from their suppliers or get from their central warehouse, DMGRS are certainly not alone with this issue and as far as I can see are being the most proactive in addressing the problem on our behalf.

If anyone can get a new production run initiated it will be Mat, Scott and Max at DMGRS.

In light of my own experiences in this last week, I defy anyone at the present time to actually find and buy a brand new belt with proof of its manufacture date, it’s actually an impossible task!

[biffa75]

My understanding of the gates belts format is this

6th day
12th week
3 meaning 2003 or 2013 or 2023.

As for the 16 and then below 15 is the sleeve used during the manufacturing process
Gates themselves unfortunately can't tell you what decade.