quick question about timing belt

[Jezza-7]

Mine has just covered 5k and i have just replaced the water pump, is it worth changing the belt as well? There is nothing wrong with my current one and im planing to change it in the winter when i do my g60 project.

[cheys03]

So long as those 5k weren't over 5years and it's got all teeth and is oil-free I wouldn't worry - after all that one's relatively new and tried and tested.

[Jezza-7]

No its only done 5k since september. No oil on it either. A little coolant got on it but washed away.

[DKnight]

its a unwritten law in my world, as you have to have most of the bits off to do the pump, it is a 2 second job to then do the belt at the same time, 5k less on the car, 1 hour less fiddly job you have to do in the future

[hayesey]

I wouldn't bother if it's only done 5k and there's nowt wrong with it.

[Robin]

I change mine everytime i have the engine out, for £10 or so its worth doing.

[PeteG40]

they've just gone up at vw to £20!

[scotsjohn]

Newman Cams/TSR doing an uprated belt for £28.

[hayesey]

what's "uprated" about it?  I've never had issues with the strength of the standard one myself. 

[Jezza-7]

Yeah there as pete said £20 plus vat!

Im gonna leave it in as the engine will be out in october so will change it then.

[scotsjohn]

what's "uprated" about it?  I've never had issues with the strength of the standard one myself. 

Dimensions? Materials? Doesn't say. I'm quite happy with the standard one myself, but it may be of benefit if you're a regular visitor to the rev limiter.

[cheys03]

My personal thought is the 'uprated' bit is in the materials - when compared to the materials used at the time of the release of the G40 (20+ yrs ago!). I'm guessing all the belt manufacturers have evolved their material formula in much the same way in that time, thus any belt you buy today is 'uprated' from the original spec.

[Yoof]

My personal thought is the 'uprated' bit is in the materials - when compared to the materials used at the time of the release of the G40 (20+ yrs ago!). I'm guessing all the belt manufacturers have evolved their material formula in much the same way in that time, thus any belt you buy today is 'uprated' from the original spec.

True- but OEMs spend plenty of time/money/resource in making sure the original components are up to the job, I don't see unless you're exceeding stock revs or have fitted much harder valve springs, why the belt needs to be uprated. Granted materials move on, as do manfacturing techniques.

I doubt Newman/TSR could tell you either, they've certainly done bugger all testing on it themselves.

[cheys03]

agree completely - never doubted that the original belts are more than up to the job. Lol re: newman/tsr!

[scotsjohn]

agree completely - never doubted that the original belts are more than up to the job. Lol re: newman/tsr!

Asked TSR what was differant about the belts, answer "they're stronger". Jesus,Jesus,Jesus.