s2 timing belts intervals

[dann944]

there seems to be alot of conflicting views on when belts/camchains and tensioners should be done in the buyers guides

can an s2 driver confirm

the car i am looking at had belts chain and tensioner in oct 2006

dann

 

[PSH]

how many miles dann?

3 years is within the spec but probably due for new ones soon.. i change mine every two years if i can

I think all models are the same for this item but stand to be corrected if wrong[8|]

Pete

 

[dann944]

155k on the car i dont know how many miles on the belts yet, ill find out sunday

 

[ChasR]

People say 4 years 40-50k miles. When I spoke to EMC, he said 5 years if the car has not done many miles (say 15k over 4 years), but that being the maximum that you should push a belt to (he said the belts rarely fail, but the tensioners do).

I know on the new engine, I will be putting on new rollers and belts.

 

[Neil Haughey]

Another theory I have heard is to check the belts and retension every year. This sounds perfectly sensible to me, after all if the belt has a nick it in it could fail at 1 year old let alone 5 or 6.

 

[pauljmcnulty]

I'd never recommend leaving it 5 years. Belts have failed between 4 & 5 years old in the last few years and it's just not worth it. What are you saving? 4 belt services in 20 years when the recommended is 5? Madness IMO.

There are two things to look at. The belts are every 4 year/40K maximum. You should, to be safe, do a water pump every second belt change but this is down to the guy doing the work. Mine was deemed fine for another few years as it's not doing huge amounts of miles. Also check oil seals and rollers, as I found out. [:'(]

The timing chain and slipper in the 16V cars are a seperate issue, as they aren't in the service schedule. If they were done in 2006, as stated, they should be fine. Were they replaced, though, or just inspected? I'd also consider having the cams checked, but this is a more major inspection.

Neil's suggestion that you inspect the belt every year does make sense, although I'd say it was going too far for most people. The car's not that different from everything else on the road, after all.