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MG MGF Technical - 5 years service / 17000 miles : cam belt change ?

Hi,

My 1998 F is still 17000 miles ans i have not so much time to make it run...
Recetly, i thought about the 5 years service and the cam belt change. Do you think the change is necessary as the regular mileage for this change is 75.000 ?

My dealer told me it's necessary but very expensive : about £500...

If any of you have an opinion, i would really appreciate.

Thank's
Vincent

yes it is required, cam belts have a lifespan, beyond which they break up and write off the engine.
Will Munns

Hi Vincent,

I would definitely get it changed!
As with any rubber object, over time they perish.
So although you have not covered that many miles, the cambelt has been sitting on your car for 7 years.

Regards,
Kris
Kris Ford

Completely agree: if you haven't changed your cam belt, then you are sitting on a time bomb waiting to go off. You really do not want to consider the bill for replacing 16 valves, 4 pistons, and potentially the cylinder head as well.

Put it this way - it'll make the 500 quid spent on the cam belt look like a good investment.
Rob Bell

"Vincent, Reunion Island"

COOL location!!!
Tony

The location is not that cool, it's nice and warm actually;-)

Johan
Johan Slagter

I have a low mileage 1998 car as well and I was considering doing the cambelts change when I serviced the car last month. However, after removing the cambelt covers and examining both belts thouroughly I decided against it. They look and feel as good as new without a sign of cracking or wear. The tensioner seemed in pretty good order too.

Having said that though if you are not confident in checking the belts and making a decicion yourself then it is better to be safe than sorry as the result of a snapped belt will be catastrophic.

Spyros
Spyros Papageorghiou

I have just changed the belts on a 2000 1.8i with 15000km. The old belt was in excellent condition BUT knowing what can happen I still changed it. I think the GBP500 sounds a high just for a belt change but if changing all fluids brake, water and oil and a full 100000km service then maybe.
Andrew Regens

Thank's a lot for all your answers !

Now I know, it's better to get it changed !!! I've already had a belt broken on an other car, and it was a lot of work (and money) to change only the valves...

Yes I also think £500 is a bit expensive for just the belt change (and the "galet tendeur" - sorry I don't know the translation and have no dictionary around - which is supposed to roll and maintain the belt tension), but I don't have the choice, there is only one dealer on our island, and not more than 10 MGF/TF...

Now that Rover/MG is not producing any car, what about the genuine parts ? Will there be some after market dealers (like Mike Satur...) to sell replace parts for some time ?

I've been reading these threads since I got the car in 1998 (as I was still in France) and I'm happy that this forum is still active with an international population...

For Tony and Johan, the hot weather is just coming in here, but you also need to know that there's also tropical rains (showers is a better word !).
If any of you come for business or holiday on Reunion island don't hesitate, leave me an e-mail, my F would have a driver for some days !
I'm a grower of tropical flowers and fruits (lychees), with 3 young kids, so I really don't have a time to get my F run enough...
Vincent

I used to think Cyprus was a bit exotic for an MGF but Reunion Island! The only part of the EU in the southern hemisphere. All of a sudden my problems have become little ones.
Andy

A holiday on Reunion and an F to drive - very tempting!! I might have to remember that. Parts will hopefully be ok as they are now supplied by X-part who is a completly separate company and your dealer should be ok to get bits. The other specialists like MS, Brown and Gammons, MGF centre and MGOC should all ship abroad but it will cost unless you maybe get a volunteer to carry - can you take cam belts as hand luggage? :)
Tony

As Tony says, parts are proving to represent no problem whatsoever, as X-Part continue to supply and source new parts.

Your dealer should be able to get hold of necessary bits and pieces will little trouble - or you can contact X-Part directly (more details on the MGF Register website - http://www.mgfregister.org/)but Mike Satur et al will be able to support you too - often at prices that are much more competitive than main dealer prices.

Cheers
Rob Bell

£500 !!!

I bet it would be cheaper to put one of us on a plane from the UK with parts and tools, put us up for a long weekend and do the job while we're there.

/stands in front of queue...
Alex T

Had a recommended mobile ex-Rover mechanic change my cam belt (after 5-years)in my drive for £85, with a belt of known quality he has always used...

Did the rest of the service myself to the correct schedule Rovers used, nothing to it! Admittedly this was the smaller service without a coolant change, but I know it got seviced properly this time. Ever checked to see if the suspension has been greased? A bit tricky so often missed!

The car's running really well as always.

Pete
Pete Tipping

Hi Pete,

I've just noticed you're based in Hampshire.

Don't suppose I could grab the details of the ex-rover mechanic you used could I?

Didn't have a particularly good experiance when I last used my local dealer.

Many thanks,

Kris.
Kris Ford

I am more interested in the company who deals with the sourcing and logistics of keeping the MG Rover spares avaialble and that is Caterpillar logistics
http://www.catlogistics.com/s_news/press_releases/jul0904_mg_rover.html

I am not sure where x-part come in!They will not keep us all in new cambelts!
Julian

This thread was discussed between 30/09/2005 and 05/10/2005

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