1500 miles on timing belt, do i need new one?

[cpandrewschmidt]

Hi all,
Got my 1991 vert in the spring. did general maintenance items since i was the new owner and wasn't sure if/when things were done. water pump, belts, tensioner, thermostat, etc.

I have a slow oil drip from the head gasket so now that the weather has turned i'm tearing it apart to put a new one in. I put around 1500 miles or so on it this summer and fall.

Do i actually need a new timing belt if it has this low of miles? Can't seem to find any answers.

Thanks!
Andrew

[Todd Black 88]

Yes. The belt is only to be tensioned once

[Klug]

Replace it- no need to skimp out on a few dollars.

[kronus]

Yes. The belt is only to be tensioned once

what?

[cpandrewschmidt]

sounds good, just making sure. The tensioner should still be good right?

[Wschnitz]

The Belt is constantly tension-ed, there's no you can install it once BS.

That being said still replace it, and if you're a fancy lad get a Gates racing blue belt, looks slick.

[mikebloco]

What ^Wschnitz said. Taking the belt off and then putting it back on doesn't cause it to stretch when it's back under tension. I would say if a belt has less than 1,500 miles on it than it's still new. Mine has 7,000 on it and it's perfect. My motor is torn down right now and I'll probably go with the racing belt because it's so cheap.

[UlrichFennec]

The Belt is constantly tension-ed, there's no you can install it once BS.

That being said still replace it, and if you're a fancy lad get a Gates racing blue belt, looks slick.

That's what I did! Gates makes some good stuff.

[Cabriolet]

That's what I did! Gates makes some good stuff.

Unless you are turbo'ing an m20 there is 100% no reason for a gates racing belt.

And just like everyone else has said you can reuse the old belt. But for $42 you can get a new one at your front door from Blunt.

Furthermore make sure to get a bmw head gasket and bolts. Have the head decked and pressure tested and valve seals replaced.

[Preyupy]

And why would "turbo'ing" a M20 require a "racing belt"? The cam has no idea it is "turboed" Valve spring tension, cam lift and engine speed are they only things that will change the loads placed on the cam belt compared to the the stock loads.

[kronus]

engine bay heat.

[Matt-B]

because racecar

if the pro3 guys dont use em, i would just get a stock belt

edit : that said, some of the 24v guys going sc or turbo, do add more heavy duty chains etc, for the same reason

[McGyver]

And why would "turbo'ing" a M20 require a "racing belt"? The cam has no idea it is "turboed" Valve spring tension, cam lift and engine speed are they only things that will change the loads placed on the cam belt compared to the the stock loads.

i would assume that a turbo allows for more load on the engine as well as faster changes in engine speed (acceleration) and changes in acceleration (jerk) which could put significant additional stresses on the belt, especially when the belt is changing direction around a pulley.

[Stanley Rockafella]

especially when the belt is changing direction around a pulley.

[rcsoundn1]

I would not replace it, but thats me.