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Cam Belts/Chains etc.

Keggers

New member
I know this has come up numerous times before, but would appreciate views on my specific scenario.

Bought my S2 just over a year ago. Have a receipt from Machtech from December 2002 (approx 18k miles ago) for installation of a new cam chain and chain guide and checking cam/balance belt tension. Have a second receipt from Northways from July '03 which includes checking cambelt and balance shaft belt and setting to correct tensions and refitting balance belt idler roller correctly.

Had my mechanic take a look at their condition at the last service, but obviously no guarantee that their still ok despite showing no obvious problems.

Given the numerous recommendations that you should get them all done if your not 100% sure, does the above history cover me ok? Only concern is that I don't know the age of the belts (which were checked and retensioned but not replaced) and am unsure as to whether the new chain guide 18k miles ago covers off the tensioner (ie are their other parts in the tensioner that should also have been replaced?
 
Not sure about the cost involved but given the consequence of failure I would go ahead and get them changed for piece of mind. Luckily the guy I bought my car from confirmed that the belts had been changed 6k miles before but I plan to replace mine at 20k - 30k intervals instead of the 40k schedule.

I've replaced timig belts on other cars myself but I don't think i'll tackle it on my 944 as it looks a right pain in the butt job due to access restrictions and the need for a tensioning tool - the 'twist the belt through 90 degrees' check wont do the trick here atlthough it's served me well on Golfs and Astras!
 
I'd go further than Andrew and say that if you have receipts back to 2002 and nothing to say the belts have been changed then do them. For all it costs I think 3 years is long enough and at best they are older than that based on the history.

In terms of the chain I'd have someone who knows the 16v 944 well take a look. Not only might the pad be worn but so might the tensioner or the chain could have stretched or the case hardening started failing on the cams themselves etc. You don't want to find any of that is the case but you even less want to not know and have a failure.
 
Note also that regardless of mileage belts also age so doing 20,000 miles in ten years is still no guarantee.

Even if your vehicle has covered minimal mileage the belts should be changed at the recommend chronological period.

FWIW
 
Basically you have no evidence of when the belts were last changed apart from a retension in 2002 and 2003 so I would do them now as at the very least they are 3 years old.

I would leave the chain and tensioner pad until 50k miles has passed. If you are at all worried about it then at least get the cam cover off and take a look. It will cost you a new gasket and you might as well change the pad when you're in there for the sake of another 2 quid.
 
Thanks for all the feedback re this guys. Have heeded the warnings and am booked in to get the belts done. Also getting the waterpump replaced at the same time as there is no history of a replacement in 117k miles.

At least I'll sleep easy that my engine's not about to self destruct now!
 

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