Replace 'new' cambelt?

[Simon Jones]

Due to ongoing overheating issues, the cylinder head is about to be refitted again. I fitted a new cambelt a few weeks ago, but have been advised that I shouldn't re-use it again as once it has been tensioned & released, that it is more prone to breaking. The 'new' belt has done zero miles, but has had about an hour of running.

What do you folks reckon - is replacing it again 'over cautious' or money well spent? I think I'm going to take the safe option, but wondered if anyone has come across this before?

[bigdaddycain]

Isn't a new cambelt about £20 simon? I know what i'd do....

[dandywarhol]

Never heard of that one before simon. As far as I'm concerned the old "new" belt can be refitted as long as it's fitten to run in the same direction as it came off.
The manual recommends a deflection of 9 - 10mm at the longest run when a force of 98N (10kgf) is applied to either a new or old belt.

[Simon Jones]

Yes - it was something I had never heard of before, but it came from a very knowledgable person who really knows Bongos. I think I'll replace the belt to be on the safe side - another £20 on top of my recent expenditure isn't going to break the bank. The 'old' new one will be free to a good home, but I bet no-one would want to take the chance .

[kawasaki kid]

Never heard of that before but as Ste says a new cambelt is not that expensive and if you did refit the "old" one wouldn`t it be at the back off your mind all the time it may fail.

[bigdaddycain]

Digging the depths of my (dodgy) memory.....What was the question again?

Oh yeah, i think that some cars that have a timing chain cannot re-use a new chain even if the engine has been turned over a few times,i t may only be an issue with vehicles with variable valve timing though.... Something to do with the initial stress of the first start tensioning the chain from link to link....?

I have a vague memory of the mechanic mentioning this when i had a scorpio cosworth,he had reservations that the new chain he was about to fit had been used on a very short term basis in the past,wasn't 100% confident in it, so ordered another.

[You've Been Bongod]

change it simon its cheaper than another new head




you've been bongod

[white van man]

cam belts contain glass fibre strands for strength and durability and are designed to be fitted and stretched to correct tension,when you turn the engine over by hand you put a stress on the belt but when you start the vehicle up the stress is probably about ten times that ,therefore if you used the belt again you would be overstretching the belt which would make it prone to early and costly failure!!!!!

[Simon Jones]

Thanks for all your replies. It's a 'no-brainer' really

[bigdaddycain]

cam belts contain glass fibre strands for strength and durability and are designed to be fitted and stretched to correct tension,when you turn the engine over by hand you put a stress on the belt but when you start the vehicle up the stress is probably about ten times that ,therefore if you used the belt again you would be overstretching the belt which would make it prone to early and costly failure!!!!!

That'l do for me.... Yeah, i'd ditch the belt simon E-bay it for a few hundred quid.... (bongo item)