MX5 - Cam Belt Question
Discussion
My Dad is hoping to pick up a 1997 (R reg) 1.8i MX5 next week (57k, £4k) - he has been told that it doesn't have a cambelt but rather a cam chain (so it doesn't need changing?)
This doesn't sound right to me but then I know nothing about these engines - can anyone confirm that this is true? It's a UK car -
thanks in advance
This doesn't sound right to me but then I know nothing about these engines - can anyone confirm that this is true? It's a UK car -
thanks in advance
Complete rubbish. No car has had a cam chain for decades! Even if it did (which it doesn't) the cam chain dampers need regular servicing.
If it's done 57k miles it's due it's cam belt change. He just doesn't want to spend the money just before selling the car.
Is it being advertised somewhere? If so, tell the advertisers that he's deliberately misleading potential buyers, see if they'll withdraw the advert.
You might be interested to know that all American cars have to be able to do 100k miles on a cam belt so belts are made to last at least this long. We have the same belts as the Americans but out cam belt changes are at half that distance. Service schedule rip-off? You decide!
If it's done 57k miles it's due it's cam belt change. He just doesn't want to spend the money just before selling the car.
Is it being advertised somewhere? If so, tell the advertisers that he's deliberately misleading potential buyers, see if they'll withdraw the advert.
You might be interested to know that all American cars have to be able to do 100k miles on a cam belt so belts are made to last at least this long. We have the same belts as the Americans but out cam belt changes are at half that distance. Service schedule rip-off? You decide!
Edited by MX-5 Lazza on Sunday 8th July 18:42
GravelBen said:
MX-5 Lazza said:
Complete rubbish. No car has had a cam chain for decades!
Except for those Audi V8s. And I heard the Nissan SR20 does as well, but not sure if that was accurate or not. No idea about MX5's though.no MK 1 MX5 did tho... should be very easy to check tho, open the bonnet and see if there a chain rather than the usual belt at the front of the engine or not.
Chains aren't as uncommon as you'd think. Even the Duratec has one (OT: according to that, there's a 6 litre V12 Duratec!) - I believe the Deutz engine screensaver is based on a Duratec engine which shows the chain.
The MX5 may have a belt, but it's also non-interference so a failure isn't the be-all and end-all that it might be on another car as a new belt and re-time should get you back on the road rather than replacing bent valves etc.
The MX5 may have a belt, but it's also non-interference so a failure isn't the be-all and end-all that it might be on another car as a new belt and re-time should get you back on the road rather than replacing bent valves etc.
Because they are relatively heavy, noisy (especially when the dampers are worn), dampers need replacing as often as belts do, sprockets wear, they need lubrication, the cost of manufacture is higher than for belts...
At least all that used to be true, my experience of cam-chains is mostly from my old 1971 Rover P6 2200TC. I don't know if modern cam chains have addressed some/all of those issues.
At least all that used to be true, my experience of cam-chains is mostly from my old 1971 Rover P6 2200TC. I don't know if modern cam chains have addressed some/all of those issues.
Saab is still using them AFAIK. My T16S is on its second chain at 17 years and 155k. Not noticeably noisy and doesn't need any special treatment at services.
Main advantages as far as I can see - longevity, and most importantly, a warning before it goes (top end rattle).
I can't see that one is better than the other TBH - swings and roundabouts.
Main advantages as far as I can see - longevity, and most importantly, a warning before it goes (top end rattle).
I can't see that one is better than the other TBH - swings and roundabouts.
Lazza, loads of new units have chains mate, manu's are slowley moving back, for example the new honda 2.2 ICDTI units, rated as one of the best derv's on the market at the moment is chain driven.
They don't need changing anything like as oftern as a belt and on a modern engine don't sound any diff, the guides may need some servicing but we are talking 100k +.
They don't need changing anything like as oftern as a belt and on a modern engine don't sound any diff, the guides may need some servicing but we are talking 100k +.
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