MG-Cars.info

Welcome to our Site for MG, Triumph and Austin-Healey Car Information.

Recommendations

Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG MGF Technical - Cam belt

My X Reg MGF was in for its annual service last week and the garage suggested it may be time for a cam belt change. As I only average 2000+/- miles a year and the car has only done 9000 miles I wondered whether this suggestion which is recommended for a 60,000 service is valid. Obviuosly I dont want to take the chance of having the engine blow up and takin into account the age factor, I am inclined to go ahead. Any advice please?

Thanks
Ian Beaton

hi, this was discussed recently here http://www2.mgcars.org.uk/cgi-bin/gen5?runprog=mgbbs&mode=thread&access=&subject=2&source=T&thread=200501210946399291
so yes you should have one at 5 years. Better get your beans and toast out for this month as it's a biggie!
Tony

Ian, yes get the cam belt changed: failure is just too painful, not to mention expensive, to mention!

The 'book' states every 5 years or 60k miles, which ever comes soonest: in your case, 5 years :o)
Rob Bell

Dont delay ,if the five years are up, this a must do on time. Yes it's costly but if it goes bang forget the beans!.
Andrew Regens

But reading the archive on this the belt itself seems to be a tough survivor among all broken cambolts,faulty waterpumps, displaced expansion-pins,loose cam-belt tensioners,wrecked VVC units etc.etc...

;O) , Carl.
Carl Blom

But Carl, there have been a couple of celebrated cases of cam belt failure where owners have skipped the replacement interval... IMO it is simply not worth the risk.
Rob Bell

Totally agree about not skipping any replacement intervals,but of all failures in that specific area a cut or broken cambelt seems to be rare. There is almost always something else that triggers the total catastrofe.I will the comming week-end change my own 2 belts on the old VVC. The "heavy duty" one from Piper Cams seems almost bullet-proof.Without saying the 4 bolts will also be changed. Better safe than sorry !

/ Carl.
Carl Blom

Service Intervals are worked out according to average useage. You may well find that the cambelt will survive well beyond 100K miles if done over just two years.
On the other hand, if you left the car in your garage for 3 years, then the cambelt may be one of several items that need changing before you drive off.
Having the belt sit in one position for extended periods is no better than running it.

I would certainly recommend changing it
Steve

Many thanks guys! Seems its bread & butter for the next month! Am quoted circa £150 -£200 for the single cam belt change - does that sound about right? Thanks
Ian Beaton

This thread was discussed between 28/01/2005 and 29/01/2005

MG MGF Technical index

This thread is from the archives. Join the live MG MGF Technical BBS now