Timing belt

[LittleRob]

Back in the forum for the first time in a while. My car has been off the road for a couple of years and is currently in for a service/MOT. They have suggested changing the timing belt as it should be done at 60,000 miles/6 years. The current belt has done 9,000 miles in 9 years.

However, I want to use the car on Saturday for a long-ish drive, and they are not sure they can get the job done before then. Given how long its been off the road I'm tempted to get the car back so that I can drive it for a couple of days to check that everything else is OK. What do you guys think?

LR

[rip]

9 years...
I would be tempted to chance it but in the back of my mind I would be wondering how big the bill would be if the belt snapped.

The sensible option would be to use the other car at the weekend & book yur Elan in for a new belt.

[LittleRob]

Thanks for the speedy reply.

I have 2 competing fears:

1. I *do* change the timing belt, but something else goes wrong with the car which we failed to see coming because we haven't driven it much more than a mile to the garage and back. Though that's not to say that we'd spot anything wrong in the 100 or so miles that I might fit in between now and Saturday.

2. I *don't* change the belt and it goes wrong.

In any case it possible that the garage might keep the car for the next 2 days and not manage to find the time to change it, in which case I'm in the worst of both worlds.

LR

[epipete]

I think, if you use your head rather than your heart, you have answered your own question!

Risk of belt failure - possible
Risk of unspecified underuse failure - possible
Lack of time to gain confidence - high

Put it into the garage have them change the belt and do a service, if you get it back in time then that is when you can make a decision and if not back then it is out of your hands but when it is returned you can then gain the confidence needed prior to a long journey

[daveiow]

Hi LR
It seems to me you are almost in the position of a "new" owner
When I took over my car two years ago the belt had been changed but it had done so few miles over the previous eight years (and having studied this wonderful site) I had reservations on undertaking longish trips for fear of breakdowns.
Now having two Ypres trips, Donington and Brands Hatch under my belt not to mention two MOTs and a service at Sportomotive at Salisbury i feel I "know" her much better
Having said that a set of silicone hoses to go on in the spring , a good look at the oil cooler pipes and new gear change cables will be needed before I am happy I have done all I reasonably can

But then this is all part of the fun!

daveiow

[DeanG]

Use the 10% rule. If it runs OK for a mile try a 10 mile loop after a full cool down try a 100 mile loop. If that is OK you are probably ready to tackle a continent.

[LittleRob]

In the end we didn't get the belt done in time, so went to the lakes in the big car (An XC-90). It was probably the smart move in any case because:

a) We took bikes (since we could).
b) For one of the days it rained incessantly.
c) The back road into Little Langdale is not really Elan territory IYKWIM !

Car is done now, and we did 100 miles top down to Richmond and back yesterday in the sun

LR

[DeanG]

Car is done now, and we did 100 miles top down to Richmond and back yesterday in the sun

Funny how it works out, here in Virginia Isle of Wight is about 100 from Richmond.

[Oliver]

Right. I'm a little confused. In 12 years of N/A ownership I have replaced my timing belt 3 times. I have just read a 4XE1 t/belt change guide linked from WikiLec, the author of which states that the engine is non interference. His belt had shredded following water pump failure, presumably stopping the cams dead with the crank rotating. The engine was fine on fitting new belt / pump / tensioner / idler. Is our engine non interference? Does anyone know for sure?

[ccb056]

Right. I'm a little confused. In 12 years of N/A ownership I have replaced my timing belt 3 times. I have just read a 4XE1 t/belt change guide linked from WikiLec, the author of which states that the engine is non interference. His belt had shredded following water pump failure, presumably stopping the cams dead with the crank rotating. The engine was fine on fitting new belt / pump / tensioner / idler. Is our engine non interference? Does anyone know for sure?

http://youtu.be/_InB9F4Cwjo?t=34s

[nhaynes]

The Lotus Elan M100 engine is interference or non free wheeling. This means if the timing belt fails, the pistons hit the valves and it starts getting very expensive!

[Brit-Car-Nut]

Right. I'm a little confused. In 12 years of N/A ownership I have replaced my timing belt 3 times. I have just read a 4XE1 t/belt change guide linked from WikiLec, the author of which states that the engine is non interference. His belt had shredded following water pump failure, presumably stopping the cams dead with the crank rotating. The engine was fine on fitting new belt / pump / tensioner / idler. Is our engine non interference? Does anyone know for sure?

Without any doubt, the engine is an interference design and WILL bend valves and nick pistons if the belt breaks. Some people make up stories just to be contrary. You are smart to ask.

[LO 2 US]

If you are reading up on this Cam-belts thread strongly suggest that you also check "Water Pumps" discussions!! under "ancillaries" etc re some water pump drive teeth NOT matching the cambelts properly