Cheap cam belt change for v6

[MSS]

Come on chaps. Some of the most competent and knowledgeable people in any field are non-professionals. Equally, some of the least least knowledgeable in motoring circles are "professionals".


In my view car manufacturers specify cambelt replacement schedules on the basis of based on field experience. But for obvious reasons they look at the complete kit as opposed to any individual component.


The Vauxhall Omega V6 engines illustrate this point point well. The recommended replacement interval started off at 90k miles but was reduced to 60k in steps following failures. I believe most of the failures were caused by worn tensioners as opposed to the belt.

[RPWC]

As you have asked Brian about his qualification, or what evidence he has in coming to his conclusions Simon, surely it is courtesey to reply to his question.?

[RPWC]

Originally Posted by mss

Come on chaps. Some of the most competent and knowledgeable people in any field are non-professionals. Equally, some of the least least knowledgeable in motoring circles are "professionals".


In my view car manufacturers specify cambelt replacement schedules on the basis of based on field experience. But for obvious reasons they look at the complete kit as opposed to any individual component.


The Vauxhall Omega V6 engines illustrate this point point well. The recommended replacement interval started off at 90k miles but was reduced to 60k in steps following failures. I believe most of the failures were caused by worn tensioners as opposed to the belt.

This is very true Maninder, many years ago, prior to me being a Rover owner, I booked my car into the local, garage for a new camblet. The owner of the garage told me it was wise to renew the pulleys too,advice that I took, having heard what happens to an engine if the belt snaps.

[Avulon]

Originally Posted by marinabrian

Nobody cares Simon, we've lost the will to live several weeks ago



Simon I don't need to claim anything, I've seen the effect with my own eyes

Anyway back to the case of your own belts, your front belt had certainly degraded as your own picture shows........




The original top belt starts perfectly aligned at the left of the picture, culminating in being misaligned by at least 1mm over the course of 16 teeth, meaning over the entire length of the belt will be at least 11mm longer than it was originally.

Why is that Simon??

So what is it that you do for a living Simon, are you a retired engineer from Powertrain?

Brian

Brian, I'm just wondering if you can tell whether the teeth are wider on the stretched belt or is it just the thinner part that has stretched between them?

[clf]

Originally Posted by SD1too

MG Rover does not state that their time intervals may be extended if the car is stored indoors, or indeed for any other reason, so may we please have your answer my earlier question:


So you don't believe that an air filter housing or combustion chamber offers significant protection but you do believe that keeping the car in a garage has an effect? Can you explain that apparent contradiction please Brian?

Simon

I know you addressed this to Brian, Simon, however it alludes to a point I made previously and you have tried to dismiss without fact .

There are what designers and statisticians (those pesky bean counters) call constants and variables. Remember? Arctic circle , middle East and Europe? Why do you think we have on the forum, pictures of various development cars in various countries???

I do hope that you are not comparing am engine to a garage? As it is the engine bay is where the belt WILL be 'stored', a hostile environment. That engine MAY or MAY NOT be 'stored' in an garage or other enclosed and relatively stable environment.

Sent from my SM-A310F using Tapatalk

[Les4048]

This is getting rediculous, change the flipping belts and associated components within the specified time and there’ll be no problem and you’ll have peace of mind. Simon you’re really beginning to look rediculous which I assume the silent majority are thinking the same.

[beinet1]

Originally Posted by Les4048

This is getting rediculous, change the flipping belts and associated components within the specified time and there’ll be no problem and you’ll have peace of mind. Simon you’re really beginning to look rediculous which I assume the silent majority are thinking the same.

My Rover 75 is used very little at the moment, and my interest for the car is also dropping. Time and needs changes... Basically I am visiting this forum once every 1-2 month now and every time there is a new KV6 timing belt thread with at least 10 pages ending up like this. Is it really necessary??

This can be summarized up in two main ways:
1. If you are insecure about the process, use the timing tools and manufacturers procedure to keep your mind at piece... (Or a trusted garage..)
2. Feel free to do it every other way you like if you know what you are doing...

And until next forum visit, I will enjoy my Land Rover for what its worth

[suzublu]

I think perhaps now Simon is posting just to continue to bait & cajole people into responses & is sitting back laughing at the mayhem he causes Frankly, I'm bored with it now, I very rarely comment on Technical issues as I'm not qualified enough, threads such as this one do nothing for the forum, perhaps it's run its course

[Gate Keeper]

I met Simon at a local meet and we became involved in a lengthy and in depth discussion about everything over a few drinks in the pub. In fact we forgot to have lunch as the conversation was stimulating and exciting He showed me how to check the dipstick on the V6. Anyone who meets him will say what an okay guy he really is, quite different from how he is portrayed on the boards.

Changing a belt. Oh my, oh my .....

I will leave it to the experts. I found the banter here between Brian and Simon quite stimulating

[wraymond]

What a lot of waffle from a non-believer who is quite prepared to ‘advise’ but will never be held to account and whose arguments are more circular than a round thing. It’s not about winning, more a case of do whatever the heck you want to do with your own car and then be prepared to take the consequences as we all do.

I’m interested in the function and operation of the tensioner in all this. One presumes that if a belt stretches to any extent a limit will be reached and the (self-adjusting) tensioner will be performing its function and taking up the slack, nullifying or mitigating any slackness. So the belt stretching will not necessarily be the cause of coming off the pulleys. I would be interested in any measurements of replaced belts in comparison to the lengths of new ones and how that difference equates to the ‘travel’ of the tensioner when it compensates for wear.

One would assume the tensioner, not being made of malleable material, would have an infinitely longer life than a reinforced rubber belt. So the weak link, if any, is the belt. It is a service item in the same way as oil, filters and plugs are. Just do it.