help me decide how old this timing belt is (pic)

[2.5-12]

again, you are missing the point of my question entirely in both respects.

if you have changed 'like 6 belts' on your engine, you obviously took note of the condition and mileage at change. these belts dont look the same at 60k miles as they do at 0 miles just like they dont look new when they are 0 miles and 10 years.

the part, the ONLY part I care about is knowing: If someone took note of the mileage, age of a belt they changed, could they chime in and venture an educated guess. it's not that hard to do.

I forgot the R3V was all flame and no real use, It was of course my fault for posting a question that made me genuinely curious here.

[Hobbes]

It looks fine from the 3% of the belt that can be seen there. Hell, it might even last for a couple of years.

But.... what you can't see will kill you, and you can't see the other 97% of the belt.

IF the motor has sat for a few years, the belt is going to form and harden around the cam and crank gears, and you can't see than from a camera.


You can take the chance, but we warned you.

[2.5-12]

It looks fine from the 3% of the belt that can be seen there. Hell, it might even last for a couple of years.

But.... what you can't see will kill you, and you can't see the other 97% of the belt.

IF the motor has sat for a few years, the belt is going to form and harden around the cam and crank gears, and you can't see than from a camera.


You can take the chance, but we warned you.

that's fine, I accept the risk and hope that the car hadnt been sitting to the extent that the belt is unevenly worn - thank you for your constructive response.

[Atreus]

it looks like it has 900 million thousand miles on it, once it hits 901, they blow up, breaking rocker arms, bending valves and breaking shit.

you should change it asap, the belt alone, is under 20 bucks. budget some money for your inevitable coolant flush, and just do it to it.

cap/rotor
radiator
fan+clutch
upper/lower covers
crankshaft hub thingie
accessory belts
tensioner.

not that hard, i'm sure im missing some stuff, but you get the gist of it...

[2.5-12]

it looks like it has 900 million thousand miles on it, once it hits 901, they blow up, breaking rocker arms, bending valves and breaking shit.

you should change it asap, the belt alone, is under 20 bucks. budget some money for your inevitable coolant flush, and just do it to it.

cap/rotor
radiator
fan+clutch
upper/lower covers
crankshaft hub thingie
accessory belts
tensioner.

not that hard, i'm sure im missing some stuff, but you get the gist of it...

so, I have a million miles left - thanks.

but seriously, I have done a number of M20 belt changes and am aware of the tasks involved and what needs to be done.

I am also aware of what will happen to the interference engine if this belt breaks.

its harder than a clutch change on an E30, that's enough to make me want to put it off until I have time off in July.

[nando]

its harder than a clutch change on an E30, that's enough to make me want to put it off until I have time off in July.

you can't be serious? back problems?

[2.5-12]

you can't be serious? back problems?

I am serious -- clutches are dead easy -- TB changes on an E34 are a little easier than an E30 but still harder than the clutch swap job (for me anyway)

no back problems I am aware of... yet.

[Danny]

You're stupid, just change the fucker if you care about the car.

If not, drive it till it blows up then sell it to what18yahoo

[2.5-12]

You're stupid, just change the fucker if you care about the car.

If not, drive it till it blows up then sell it to what18yahoo

thanks for that

I dont care about the car, if the belt makes it till I have time in July, It'll get a new belt, if not - there are a couple spare B25s in the garage.

again, only 1 person has actually responded to the op question.

[Danny]

Well there you go, you know what to do. Now go do it.

[2.5-12]

Well there you go, you know what to do. Now go do it.

exactly what I plan to do.

Now, re opening the original question: to those who have replaced a few belts and have taken note of the mileage on those belts with comparable condition.

[nando]

thanks for that

I dont care about the car, if the belt makes it till I have time in July, It'll get a new belt, if not - there are a couple spare B25s in the garage.

again, only 1 person has actually responded to the op question.

I responded directly and helpfully in my first post, so did jleive. You just didn't like our answers.

[2.5-12]

I responded directly and helpfully in my first post, so did jleive. You just didn't like our answers.

I disagree, you told me to replace the belt (canned response) instead of responding to the question that was asked which was to venture a guess as to the mileage on the pictured belt.

your 'answers' are completely unrelated to the question, they are related to normal new used M20 powered car maintenance.

[chadthestampede]

So you started a thread in hopes that a single person would say that your belt looked fine so you could justify not changing it because you're lazy?

[ForcedFirebird]

Belt looks old enough to change IMO.

I changed a belt not too long ago that had 100k miles on it and looked better than the belt in your pic. Not a single crack on it - BUT - the tensioner was at it's fully extended position.

I concur with Nando and the others, you should change it as soon as you can - will it last to the end of summer? More than likely (with easy driving).