CAM belt replacement - Does time matter?

[Doc Fizzix]

Here is the situation: My new Elan only has 14K miles and has not had a timing belt replacement since the milage is not even close to the 60K in the service manual. BUT, would it be bad to drive the car 1300 miles home with the original belt given the age of the belt? All comments and input are welcome, thanks much

[tigerdog]

I'd take a good look at the ridges on the accessory drive belt. General condition of other rubber parts might be a good indicator, too. If they look dry, cracked and flaking, there's a good chance the drive teeth on the cam belt are, too. If the accessory belt is (superficially) OK, I'd say keep the revs down and enjoy the ride. Then change that sucker when you get home just for peace of mind.

[lotusgirlmarie]

timing belt replacement is at 6 years or 60K whichever comes first. Don't take chances with your engine.

[tweetdriver63]

If I'm not mistaken, you can take half of the plastic timing belt cover off, to get a look at the belt to see how it is. I could be wrong though. My car had 51K miles on it, and no record of the timing belt being changed. I drove it home from Pittsburg (875 miles), then took it in for all new belts, and all new fluids, first thing.

[Doc Fizzix]

I know I can check the belt for ware and cracking but I just worry that the age of the belt my cause it to fail even though it looks like new. As good as I am at changing the belts, I am not sure how easy it will be when I am three states away from home. I am hoping it will hold-up until I get home and then I can change it out, I am just wondering how much "time" or "age" of the belt really is effected on a low milage vehicle.

[Paul.P]

I am just wondering how much "time" or "age" of the belt really is effected on a low milage vehicle.

Maybe a year or two with the low mileage, you could get away with, but 16yrs !!!!!!!!!!!!!!, risk it at your own peril

[ailwyn]

Al,

I'm no expert, but what I have read in the past suggests that condition is a bigger factor than time or mileage.

In your position I would probably chance it, I'm assuming you will be taking it around the block and giving it a good booting to test the turbo before handing over any cash? If the cambelt holds for that then I would be inclined to drive it home but take it easy and avoid any hard throttling or backing off that might put the belt under strain.

Ailwyn

[Jackonicko]

You can check the condition of the other belts, which will give a good indication.

Then ask yourself whether the car has been kept in conditions in which the belt might have been happy, or unhappy?

Very hot? Very arid? etc.

[Enright]

I know we're all aware of the horror stories of what can happen if one lets go, but has anyone on the forum had it actually HAPPEN to them (or even knows someone with an Elan who has)?

I only ask because in my relatively few years on here, I've not. So I'd side with Ailwyn and probably risk it (if it was me), bearing in mind the age of all our cars and how rare an experience it is.

Maybe it would be worth adding a poll to your first post to gauge people's opinions and what they would do if it was their money.

[Monty]

Al,

I'm no expert, but what I have read in the past suggests that condition is a bigger factor than time or mileage.

In your position I would probably chance it, I'm assuming you will be taking it around the block and giving it a good booting to test the turbo before handing over any cash? If the cambelt holds for that then I would be inclined to drive it home but take it easy and avoid any hard throttling or backing off that might put the belt under strain.

Ailwyn

Don`t think i`ve ever heard a cam belt to go on the M100, if the belt has no cracks and doesn`t feel like it`s gone brittle then i`d just drive it back as is. You can always do another engine rebuild

Just make sure you`ve got some kind off recovery if things go tits up.

[Doc Fizzix]

Thanks so much everyone. I think it really depends on the condition of the belt its self, if there is any cracking or signs of deterioration then I will not make the drive.

[John_W]

I've changed two belts, both well within the 60,000 mileage recommendation but a year or two outside the time recommendation. Both looked like new. Paranoia is a wonderful thing, however, and I'll continue to replace them every 5 or 6 years.

I agree with Enright that I've never heard of an Elan belt snapping, or even slipping. However, I was surprised how slack my timing belt was when I changed it, so maybe also check the tension as well as the general condition of the belt.

Bottom line - I'd check it, then chance it gently.

John

PS: good to see you're intending getting another Elan.

[Doc Fizzix]

I've changed two belts, both well within the 60,000 mileage recommendation but a year or two outside the time recommendation. Both looked like new. Paranoia is a wonderful thing, however, and I'll continue to replace them every 5 or 6 years.

I agree with Enright that I've never heard of an Elan belt snapping, or even slipping. However, I was surprised how slack my timing belt was when I changed it, so maybe also check the tension as well as the general condition of the belt.

Bottom line - I'd check it, then chance it gently.

John

PS: good to see you're intending getting another Elan.

Paranoia is such a wonderful thing I have been there many times.

I will inspect the belt very carefully before I make the journey home. The seller has offered to allow me to use his tools if they are needed. I have changed the Elan timing belt so many times I can do the job in less then two hours (assuming I can get the crank bolt freed-up) (Yes I have a trick to loosen the bolt) I might order a belt and take it with me just in case, I am in no hurry to get it home once I am out there to pick it up so I can take my time. I really wanted to hear what other people thought about the topic and everyones input has really been helpful. I will make sure to let everyone know what happens.

[DeeAitch]

I might order a belt and take it with me just in case,

Not sure that would help if it goes ping - cue the age old debate about 'do the pistons meet the valves if the belt snaps'
If you can do it in under 2 hours why take the risk?

[Doc Fizzix]

I might order a belt and take it with me just in case,

Not sure that would help if it goes ping - cue the age old debate about 'do the pistons meet the valves if the belt snaps'
If you can do it in under 2 hours why take the risk?

The only problem is doing the job in an unfamiliar location, it is easiest back at my shop. When I first put this question out there I was not to sure if the seller would mind if I work on the car in his garage. I was thinking I could mail all my tools to the seller so when I get there I could do the job. When I first asked this question I was wonder if milage is the key factor in the deterioration of the belt or do they deteriorate also because of age. The car has been garage kept and has never seen rain so being lazy I really wonder if the belt needs to be changed because of its age since it has such low milage.

[Doc Fizzix]

For what it is worth, I call around a bit today and talked with the boyz at Dave Bean and a couple Isuzu shops. The consensus is that the milage is tougher on the belt than age but as everyone has said here in this forum make sure you take a look at the belt itself for any visible signs of cracking or aging. Everyone I talked with today said they would have no problem driving the car 1300 miles even with the age of the belt given the milage. One of the Isuzu parts suppliers told me the only time he had ever seen a belt brake was when a driver had the car for over 10 years and never changed the belt putting on over 180K, by the way, he told me the engine was totally destroyed after the belt let go; in other words, if the belt brakes there is not enough clearance between the pistons and valves.

I ordered a belt from the Isuzu dealer in St. Louis for $30.00 even and no shipping charge

[Bolsom]

I have just returned from a 2000 mile trip to the UK from the bottom of France in my 28,000 mile SE. I seldom rev over 4 - 4.5K and cruise at about 90MPH.
I would risk it without too much worry. I do have the insurance of a spare engine.

Colin

[Doc Fizzix]

Leaving Austin tomorrow and headed to California to pick-up the new Elan. Leaving just before hurricane Ike hits Texas on Friday evening. I am going to "chance" it and drive her home with the belt as it is.

I will be saying some prays for all our friends in the Houston area. I know Jack is down there and I hope he can get Rita out of the area without any problems.

[Doc Fizzix]

Here is the trip home for those who want to know

http://www.mapquest.com/maps?1c=San+Die ... Rock&2s=TX

[Doc Fizzix]

I am home, no car, story to be continued