Rover 416 Cam Belt

Had the rocker cover off my 91 Rover 416 today (single cam 16v, honda
engine) so took the chance to look at the cam belt.

The cam belt has done 49k miles and is 3 years old, I had it done when
I bought the car with the intention of leaving it on until it pinged
and lead to me scrapping the car or until the car needed scrapping for
some other reason - whichever came first.

I saw no reason to change that plan, assuming the belt would have
acouple of years left in it.

However on inspection I found a 2mm long 'crack' (crack is too strong a
word - it's perished a fraction) and the 'outside' (untoothed) of the
belt.

Have I got to change the belt right now, or can it wait till spring?
(Prolly 4k miles) Has it got a fighting chance of seeing another 20k
miles?

I don't want to do the job if I can possibly get away with it, happy to
take a 50/50 risk. OTOH if it is really *very* likely to fail very soon
I think I'll do it 'cos despie it's shite shed status I like the car
and I don't really want to scrap it right now.

X Posted to UKRM 'cos they seem to know their stuff.

 

said...

Do a belt replacement now, don't risk it for a few quid and a couple of
hours work. It's not like a new belt costs a fortune and it's easily
done by a semi-competent spaner-wielder.

 

My old Volvo did 200,000 miles on one cam belt, but it's a non interference
motor so I wasn't bothered.
With your Rover, it's a case of "do you feel lucky, punk?"

 

Change it now. Don't pause to think about it.

Therein lies demons.

Cheers,

Paul.

 

Semi-raises hand.

But have you seen the clearance to get to the belt on the 2.5V6 Mazda
lump in an MX6. It is a bloody joke.

Another one for the tuit list.

Paul.

 

<snip>

Oooo.. go on, don't change it so some smart arse can say "told you so".

 

Pah! That's nothing. Try a Fiat 5-pot.

http://www.italiancar.co.uk/Marea/images/DSCN0665.jpg

 

Or a Renault 21 Turbo... teehee...

First, remove the front end of the car.

 

Muck said...

Or a Fiat Coupe. First, remove the engine.

 

Stuart, would be interested as to what model Volvo you had. I have a 740
with the B230k engine and changed the cambelt about 50k/8years ago so was
contemplating changing it again this summer on age grounds. If however it is
non-interference I would wait a bit longer, hence my interest in your post.

sorry to butt in on the thread

 

Ahh... got me there.

Although I will say, that I think I'll go mad if I have to ever remove a
Renault 21 Turbo radiator _again_... mutter mutter...

 

Using the patented Mavis Beacon "Hunt&Peck" Technique,
typed

This crack, across or along the belt?

--
Wicked Uncle Nigel - There are few things in life more sinister than a
public toilet with the lid closed.

WS* GHPOTHUF#24 APOSTLE#14 DLC#1 COFF#20 BOTAFOT#150 HYPO#0(KoTL) IbW#41
SBS#39 OMF#6 Enfield 500 Curry House Racer "The Basmati Rice Burner",
Honda GL1000K2 (On its hols) Kawasaki ZN1300 Voyager "Oh, Oh, It's so big"
Suzuki TS250 "The Africa Single" Yamaha GTS1000

 

Oh, that's just silly.

I've got to go my inline 5-cyl Audi in the summer.

Remove grille, swing radiator out of the way - enjoy the impression of a
Canada advert - all wide open spaces.

 

This:

http://www.frenchclassics.co.uk/updates/CITROENSM-ENGINE.htm

is the engine bay of a Citröen SM. The timing chain is at the back of the
engine, right up against the bulkhead, and you have to take the engine out
to get at it.

 

Across.- and that's a pretty Intelligent question to ask...

I kind of assume the is no strength in the rubbery layer that is
cracked and that the strength is in some kind of canvas core to the
belt.

Now I've slept on it I'm pretty much decided to get it done by a third
party. Peace of mind for three tanks of fuel. Of course on a car of
this errr, age and standard there's always the risk it has to be
scrapped in two weeks time for something else entirely and the cash
will be wasted.

 

Designed by Soichiro, then.

 

Yebbut that's a regular thing to do on any Fiat, innit?

 

No, the *regular* thing used to be "sweep up the bodywork"...

 

The message <D8VCf.11095$>

But how long do the chains last compared to belts?

 

It's pretty rare for that to happen with one of these, unless you consider
something like a new exhaust or clutch reasons worth scrapping an otherwise
perfectly good car for.

Had you to have the rear calipers unseized yet? ;-)