Cambelt Paranoia

Post by **Doggo** » Sat Mar 02, 2013 2:05 pm

So I've got a 44k mile '99 A8 5th with FSH but am worried about driving it for the next month because the cambelt's never been changed and I can't afford it until then.

The belt looks fine and the tension looks fine. The engine is the smoothest 4 cylinder I have ever seen (which amazes me as a 2.2 litre).

I'm being paranoid because it's my new car aren't I?

The chances of it going bang in the next thousand miles must be pretty small?

I'm a big boy and can understand/handle some risk (And I don't say "but you said...!").
It's not likely is it? How often so these things actually fail?

I can't drive it softly without VTEC 'cos I'm diagnosing/sorting another small problem! (and have no self control)

Any thoughts appreciated, cheers

Post by **Donald** » Sat Mar 02, 2013 2:09 pm

Well according to my service history, Honda didn't do the cambelt on my 99 til 68k, stating 72k as the interval on their checklist thingy.

Post by **rob quilter** » Sat Mar 02, 2013 2:12 pm

Donald wrote:Well according to my service history, Honda didn't do the cambelt on my 99 til 68k, stating 72k as the interval on their checklist thingy.

This. Your no where near the cambelt change interval yet

Post by **4thgenphil** » Sat Mar 02, 2013 2:17 pm

rob quilter wrote:
Donald wrote:Well according to my service history, Honda didn't do the cambelt on my 99 til 68k, stating 72k as the interval on their checklist thingy.
This. Your no where near the cambelt change interval yet

well he sort of is, cambelt changes are not just done on milage but age aswell, i think its 5 years, even if its 10 year it'll be due

Post by **4thgenphil** » Sat Mar 02, 2013 2:18 pm

http://www.mytimingbelt.com/Results.aspx?ModelId=380

Post by **Doggo** » Sat Mar 02, 2013 2:19 pm

Cheers guys. Yes it is the age of it not the mileage that I'm thinking about. 12+ years?

Supermarine Blues · Post by **Supermarine Blues** » Sat Mar 02, 2013 3:30 pm

Is taking the p iss, really.

So long as there is no oil contamination, fraying, cracking etc, it'll probably last a month.

But actually, you can't afford NOT to get it changed. And the balancer belt & water pump & tensioner & crank pulley...

Post by **Doggo** » Sat Mar 02, 2013 4:12 pm

Supermarine Blues wrote:Is taking the p iss, really.

So long as there is no oil contamination, fraying, cracking etc, it'll probably last a month.

But actually, you can't afford NOT to get it changed. And the balancer belt & water pump & tensioner & crank pulley...

Cheers, Super.

Yeah, I know it wasn't really an answerable question

I've got it quoted and am getting all that stuff done next month as I say. I've driven a lot of cars completely ignoring this sort of thing in the past and been lucky enough. Jusy shiny new car syndrome - should probably just grow a pair!

I've just insured the thing anyway so am off out

Space1999 · Post by **Space1999** » Sat Mar 02, 2013 4:16 pm

To put things in perspective I just changed the timing belt on my 1996 Prelude (47k miles), which had NO records of any cambelt change beforehand! So I was in the exact same situation as you...

If you're going to do it you must acknowledge that it's a risk - so drive very gently. That said, it's much less of a risk than, say, an Alfa, whose belt will snap the second it's out of the prescribed limit.

Good luck however you play it!

Post by **Doggo** » Sat Mar 02, 2013 4:48 pm

Cheers, Space1999 - very relevant!