tubbytommy

iTrader: (20)

my car is due a cambelt change soon.

is it worth changing the idlers and tensioner and water pump too or is this just a waster of money as they are not noisy etc.

super_ted

iTrader: (30)

Always good practice to change them at the same time whilst your at it with the belt off. I always as a minimum do the belt & tensioners.

IggyRB320

iTrader: (9)

I had mine done recently, didn't do the water pump on advice.
But for the sake of a few quid & only being done every 50k miles, I changed the hydraulic tensioner, 3 x pulleys & the small idler pulley on the belt plate. I also changed the crank oil seal, it wasn't leaking but for £9....why not!!

Got all my service parts & fluids from Alyn at ASPerformance!!

stockcar

tensioners and idlers are an "on inspection" basis no requirement every time as it is for the likes of VW's, etc. which seem to fall to bits everytime.............

the water pump again is personal choice but not required IMO

alyn

the shreksta

iTrader: (20)

lets just put it like this shall we.............say you dont change them and in 10k (way before your next belt is due) a bearing fails in one of them and throws the belt off...........................................your gonna wish you had changed them

you know it makes sense matey

scooby1929

iTrader: (1)

Well if you use that argument there no guarantees that the new bearing wont fail prematurely. I am a great believer in if it aint broke dont fix it. If the idlers etc are quiet and show no sign of wear i would leave them but thats imo

tubbytommy

iTrader: (20)

i agree, hence the question.
the tensioners and idlers sound fine.

any thoughts from specialists?

the shreksta

iTrader: (20)

but at least a new bearing failing early should carry some warranty etc

if it aint broke dont fix it.....................so you wait until the cambelt snaps then fix it is that what your saying?

the tensioners/pullies etc are (like a cambelt) a service item same as a water pump,you wouldnt rebuild your engine and leave on a set of part worn pullies etc would you?

dont tempt fate tubby

tubbytommy

iTrader: (20)

just asking for thoughts really as its not due till the new year. getting the bits ready.

DannyBoy007

iTrader: (7)

Asked the same question to David at API,

He advised: "We rarely change the tensioners cos they seem to last forever. Just occasionally they have started to weep oil out of the seal which is the beginning of a faliure. But since the bearing and seals were upgrade in about 2002 there hasn't been a problem. The improved tensioners have either a green or blue dot of paint on them.

We don't do the " we always change them etc., etc.

BUT what I would recommend you do, is modify the oil pump whilst we are in there. That will be a much better thing to do.

We find that the back cover of the oil pump is rarely loose at first cam belt service but nearly always is at the second."

Good sound advice as usual from David

the shreksta

iTrader: (20)

it just makes sense to do them while the covers/belt is off thats all matey

tubbytommy

iTrader: (20)

thanks mate, this is what im after, specialist advice.
by modify the oil pump i take it he means tighten the back cover??

stamina_daddy

iTrader: (3)

i read the original post from api and they mean to send them your pump and they send you one of there modified ones. search cam belt change.

DannyBoy007

iTrader: (7)

No it's an exchange unit, has uprated internals/tweeks

Whilst in there we do an exchange oil pump at £100.00 + VAT [ £120.00 inc ] 2 oil seals £11.40 + VAT [ £13.68 ] and an extra hour labour at £48.00 + VAT [ £ 57.60 inc ]

Cambelt change was £200+Vat

the shreksta

iTrader: (20)

would i need my oil pump looking at? its a cosworth oil pump supplied and fitted 33k ago by powerstation

DannyBoy007

iTrader: (7)

I think you'e missed read the post, It's on the 2nd cambelt change from new that the standard pump start to show signs of the back plate coming free.

There is no way of telling until they do a cambelt change and have a look at the pump

Myles

iTrader: (40)

It wasn't obvious at all before the cambelt change, but my tensioner had started to leak and I don't want to think about what the repercussions could be!