Timing belt - close to destruction?!

[Melvyn Best]

I was supposed to get my Mondeo timing belt and pump etc changed on Wednesday but the garage asked me if I can postpone it a while as they're snowed under with work. So we agreed I'd get it done next month when the car goes in for MOT. I hope I've not pushed my luck too far.... it's got 120,000 miles on and the belt is due at 125.

Depending on which engine you have , make sure the wet belt complete with guides etc is changed

 

[SierraV6]

I was supposed to get my Mondeo timing belt and pump etc changed on Wednesday but the garage asked me if I can postpone it a while as they're snowed under with work. So we agreed I'd get it done next month when the car goes in for MOT. I hope I've not pushed my luck too far.... it's got 120,000 miles on and the belt is due at 125.

At 124,875 miles overdue I'd say you're definitely pushing your luck....

 

[qwakers]

to be fair, I've had a belt look like that after only 1k miles and a few months..... i know this because i fitted it. material defect a warranty replacement lasted years.

 

[Barking Mat]

My ex colleague was a Mercedes dealership mechanic for 17 years.

He reckoned a visual inspection was worthless.

Only by measuring the stretch on it can you really judge if it needs changing.

 

[tom2207]

Bring back push rods.

and stop cables.

 

[Morris]

and stop cables.

Got those on one of mine. And pushrods.

 

[T689]

Have you got the tool for holding the crank pulley?

Yes, got the holding tool

 

[Trevorleach]

I had my 300tdi done at a 'specialist'
Changed nothing but the belt even though I paid for it all to be done.
Went after about 15/20kish miles,forget exactly.
Changed everything myself now and I've never heard it run so smooth so I don't think it was ever set right either.

Years back here was a recall/action for 300 engines, depending on engine number some just needed a new main pulley, other needed the whole lot incl timing chest etc.
Belt would work its way forward and rub on the timing chest cover until it got so thin it broke.

 

[daedalusminos]

Belt was supposedly changed at 100,000 miles according to bloke I bought the car off and the service book (recommended 108,000) so should be good condition - car now on 147,000 miles.

How long ago was the belt 'supposedly changed - don't forget they typically have a 'life' of 5yrs or so

 

[bricol]

Years back here was a recall/action for 300 engines, depending on engine number some just needed a new main pulley, other needed the whole lot incl timing chest etc.
Belt would work its way forward and rub on the timing chest cover until it got so thin it broke.

Work colleague had that happen on the way into work - I got the job of going out in the MDs Discovery to tow him in across Bradford. I then helped him pull it apart, the head went next door to the engine recon place for new valves, guides and then we had a bit of a rebuild session.

 

[T689]

How long ago was the belt 'supposedly changed - don't forget they typically have a 'life' of 5yrs or so

October 2018, so 4 years supposedly!

I reckon it's much older than that judging by the size of the cracks!

Be interesting to see what the pulleys are like when I remove.

If it is all original, then it's testament to the quality of the parts used!

 

[owas]

Years back here was a recall/action for 300 engines, depending on engine number some just needed a new main pulley, other needed the whole lot incl timing chest etc.
Belt would work its way forward and rub on the timing chest cover until it got so thin it broke.

Main crank pulley untouched, not too sure about the others, but the large washer and bolt holding the tensioner pulley on doesn't look correct
I said I wanted a whole new kit, tensioner, pulley and seals and that was what I was charged for.
Took a cam follower with it so had to pull head off to fix aswell

 

[Stueeee]

Bring back push rods.

Tsk... Nothing good will come of this new fangled technology. Surely the valves should live in the cylinder block....

 

[Robotstar5]

Tsk... Nothing good will come of this new fangled technology. Surely the valves should live in the cylinder block....

View attachment 373483

Yes that's the proper place for them

 

[Morris]

Absolutely!

 

[Morrisman]

At 124,875 miles overdue I'd say you're definitely pushing your luck....

I'm a careful driver....

Depending on which engine you have , make sure the wet belt complete with guides etc is changed

Mines a 2012 1.6 tdci so belt and chain, according to the interweb.

 

[bricol]

Absolutely!
View attachment 373490

View attachment 373492

I'm sorry . . . that engine mount . . .

 

[Morris]

I'm sorry . . . that engine mount . . .

Yeah, knarly ain't it! That photo is a few years old.

 

[blackolive (Ste)]

A tip if you can do it is to cut the front half of the old belt off with a stanley knife then ease the new one halfway on. Then chop the remaining half off and slide the new one on all the way. It works with the ford cvh wngine

 

[Barking Mat]

A tip if you can do it is to cut the front half of the old belt off with a stanley knife then ease the new one halfway on. Then chop the remaining half off and slide the new one on all the way. It works with the ford cvh wngine

That's an interesting idea.