Thanks to Lates600

[bl52krz]

Just like to thank Leighton and Paul for giving me and two friends a master class in timing belts replacement today on the KV6
They had it stripped down in no time at all. The belts were last changed in 2009, so 11 years and around 80,000 miles covered. I have to say I was surprised at the condition of the timing belts, especially the the two rear belts. They looked new. No wear on the teeth. No cracking when the belts were folded backwards or forwards between the teeth. The large timing belt , although at first appearances seem the same, when the belt was folded teeth inwards, slight cracking began to appear on the smooth outer side. The teeth were ok and no cracking when bent backwards. The worst one was the auxiliary belt, which as usual, was beginning to crack on the ribbed side when bent backwards.This was also 11 years old. They had all been fitted by Lates in 2009.
One of the things that Leighton pointed out to me while dismantling the parts to do the belts was...................when my son had a new alternator fitted, about 4 years ago, the garage that fitted it, ran the belt the wrong way round the idler from the alternator to the crankshaft.Over the top of the idler instead of inside the idler then outwards to the crankshaft.No wonder it used to make a noise louder than usual. He also showed me that the reason there was a clunk when putting it in Drive , was because the teardrop lower engine mount had given up the ghost.I thought it was a solenoid fault in the gearbox.Also, after using a different m.o.t. test Centre for the first time in around 30 years, Lates also showed me that one of the rear wishbone mounts had also gone to their maker. No advisory was recorded. Yea I know, it might not have been in that condition at the mot the end of June, but this one really had gone.

[SD1too]

Originally Posted by bl52krz

The belts were last changed in 2009, so 11 years and around 80,000 miles covered. I have to say I was surprised at the condition of the timing belts ... They looked new.

Thank you David for sharing your experience with us. It closely matches mine (19 years and 90,000 miles).

Best wishes,

Simon

[Parker]

I can highly recommend Leighton he was the only guy to touch my 75 and always did a superb job at a good price. Funnily enough was only talking to him Friday about my XJ6. Even though I travelled from South Wales to Coventry it was always worth the trip.

[Teflon]

Lates & Pete know what their doing and can be relied on not to cut corners .

Cliff

[coolguy]

So do we conclude that the 90,000 miles or 6 years is overly pessimistic ?
The belts on my ZT were done in 2014, and have done about 15,000 miles - I shall probably give them another year or so.
The belts on my 75 were also done in 2014 but have not done 500 miles (regularly started and exercised but not used) - not sure what to do in this case.

Any thoughts?

[SD1too]

Originally Posted by coolguy

So do we conclude that the 90,000 miles or 6 years is overly pessimistic ?
Any thoughts?

That's the right question to ask Malcolm. David's belts "looked new" after 11 years (80,000 miles) and mine showed no signs of wear after 19 years (90,000 miles) so what's your conclusion from that evidence?

I discovered that it's actually the tensioner and idler pulley bearings which pose the threat. They won't wear unless rotating so do that on a mileage basis. We need more evidence to determine approximately when that should be.

Simon

[Lovel]

Originally Posted by SD1too

Thank you David for sharing your experience with us. It closely matches mine (19 years and 90,000 miles).

Best wishes,

Simon

Think I can hear the clump clump of a T-shirted Geordies boots getting ever closer to the keyboard

[trikey]

Originally Posted by Lovel

Think I can hear the clump clump of a T-shirted Geordies boots getting ever closer to the keyboard

I doubt it....


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[ADO282]

I think David was sensible to have the belts changed, he also mentions his main belt had deteriorated in addition to the fact the rear belts appeared to be fine.


I've owned two cars over the years (not Rover, both Renault) where the belt has failed before the mileage limit, but in excess of the time interval recommended for replacement.


Because I've no interest is writing off the car, and I have no evidence the belts have been changed recently on my car, I intend booking it in to Beech Hill Garage in Reading to have the belts replaced by their skillful technicians.


I find it interesting that people would be happy to run their car otherwise than in accordance to the manufacturers recommendations, I'm not.


Although I'm quite happy to tackle most jobs, I have neither the tools, nor the inclination to replace these on my driveway.


The fibreglass reinforcement cannot be inspected, and there is as far as I'm aware no non destructive test for such, so erring on the side of caution is a much better course of action than shelling out for a replacement engine.




Chris

[BoroRover]

Originally Posted by trikey

i doubt it....


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I think it's most unlikely too.