Timing belt.. opinions

ElSquiddo · Post by **ElSquiddo** » Mon Aug 03, 2015 10:27 pm

Hi all,
Had a quick look at my 3g's timing belt this evening, as I've no service history with this car I've no idea when or if the belt has been changed.
So was fully expecting to see a quite worn belt from the 80's, but instead found this, which to my eyes looks fairly recent.
What do you guys think? this look like its had a belt change within the last few years?

YouTube · Post by **Sailor** » Mon Aug 03, 2015 11:09 pm

It's clearly had a little bit of wear, but if there's no other reason for tearing it down, I'd probably leave it for a while yet.

(Where's that smear of black grease on the pulley come from?)

ElSquiddo · Post by **ElSquiddo** » Mon Aug 03, 2015 11:16 pm

Hi, thanks for the reply, that was my thinking too.

As for the grease blob, no idea, certainly not from me, first time I've checked the belt, must have been there since the belt was last disturbed. I was wondering if it could be silicone, but then there's no evidence of silicone use in the engine bay..

89 UKDM BA4 4WS (resto job!) · Post by **wurlycorner** » Mon Aug 03, 2015 11:38 pm

Age of timing belts are very difficult/impossible to judge age-wise by their looks, IMO...

gb-lude · Post by **gb-lude** » Tue Aug 04, 2015 12:55 am

If in doubt , change it. You should have a record somewere of when it was changed.
Silly to take the risk of ruining your engine.. Its not an easy job but you will feel more relaxed driving it I'm sure..

ElSquiddo · Post by **ElSquiddo** » Tue Aug 04, 2015 8:25 pm

Ay I've heard its bad to judge a book belt by its cover

On a serious note I'll change the belt within a year, but as of right now I reckon It'll hold out, even though this car came with no documented history, everything I've found mechanics wise indicates this car was well cared for, so with 86k miles its likely to have had a belt change.