Cam Belts - how often - really ?

[Emmerg]

I know this gets discussed regularly - and you will probably point me to old threads - but I just wanted to know what people think today.

Do you religiously change cambelts every 2 years without fail - I know those doing high mileage would have to change every 2 years but what about if you do hardly any miles ?

I had the cambelt done as part of a full C Service on my 92 Excel SE by Lakeside Engineering two years ago exactly. I used it trouble free for 12 months then bought the Elite so SORNed the Excel and have used the Elite for a year.

Now its the Excel's turn this year and my question is - having only done 3,000 miles since the last cambelt change and nothing in the last 12 months - is it REALLY necessary to have it done now or can I get away with a B Service ?

I know someone will say it is my risk - which of course it is - but does everybody change them every two years irrespective of the use it has had ? Its only a cost issue of course, if I was feeling flusher I would have it done without questioning it.

Look forward to your comments - go gently on me.

[Lotus-e-Clan]

I do few miles and it's kept in a dark garage, which is a key point as there is little or no opportunity for UV deterioration. Unlike some (well very few really), I have the full belt guard still in place and I haven't change the belt in 4 years and about 10 k miles in all.

The belt looks good has all it's teeth...it also helps that my crank pulley teeth are not worn.

On the other hand if you keep it outside all the time, drive it all year round and / or like the look of a naked belt then Id change the belt more regularly, and check the crank pulley for wear due to corrosion, grit etc.

[Emmerg]

Peter

thanks for that - mine are stored in a dark garage too. I will check the condition of the teeth as you say.

[don.hasi]

I have thought it depends which kind of belt one is using?

[chrisw2811]

My previous one was fine for 12000 miles over about 4 years, including removal and re-fitting when I replaced the head gasket. The car is garaged, belt guards are in place and overall condition, including tension, is checked at least annually (but never seems to require adjustment ).

[lambert.john]

I've had my Excel for nine years and do around 2000 miles/yr (mainly to club events/classic car shows). I have changed the cambelt after 4 yrs each time and it's looked good even then!

[Emmerg]

Peter, Chris, John - thanks.

There is a pattern emerging which I am more than happy to adopt.

[RRHANS]

I have replaced mine after 3 years with a genuine Lotus belt.
With the round toothed belt you can slightly bend the Lotus rules.
But not with the flat toothed ones.

[amarshall]

I'm paranoid - I've already paid for one engine rebuild this decade*




















*and I do 12000 miles a year anyway.

[kent_racer]

The job in done so quickly and the cambelt is so cheap that it is not worth to take the risk (the last one cost me 30 €).
If you do few miles per year you can keep the same bearing tensionner until it is noisy !
IMHO

[MrCoolA]

there seems to be what i feel is a bias against Cam belts being uncovererd and the chance that they will deteriorate at a quicker rate...wether this is right or wrong, every time i open my bonnet i see my belt.................don't think you covered guys do.....i also have an under tray and as such get very little debris in to the enginr bay.......due to the nature of the guard it cannot cover all parts of the belt so does this not add another dimension i.e. that if a stone or debris does get in then you wont know, it may not come out and it may be doing damage as i type.........I tend to aggree with Angus, as i have spent £4k on a new engine and also bounced a valve i will change the belt every 2 years or so as that cost is well below an rebuild...................