cam belt change
cam belt change
Hey guys,
Have had my Z1 4 years in August.
I think BMW recommend changing your cam belt every 4 years what are your thoughts on this.
I do about 2,500 a year.
Have had my Z1 4 years in August.
I think BMW recommend changing your cam belt every 4 years what are your thoughts on this.
I do about 2,500 a year.
Re: cam belt change
Age is a factor on cambelts, same goes for tyres
Gazza
"Understeer is when you hit the wall with the front of the car, oversteer is when you hit the wall with the rear of the car. Horsepower is how fast you hit the wall and torque is how far you take the wall with you"
Z3 S54 M roadster , BMW Z1, BMW M3 CSL, Z4M Coupe
"Understeer is when you hit the wall with the front of the car, oversteer is when you hit the wall with the rear of the car. Horsepower is how fast you hit the wall and torque is how far you take the wall with you"
Z3 S54 M roadster , BMW Z1, BMW M3 CSL, Z4M Coupe
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Re: cam belt change
Hi Brian, I do about the same amount of miles (or less) as you do, but I have the cambelt changed every 4 years regardless as a precaution.BrianBZ1 wrote:Hey guys,
Have had my Z1 4 years in August.
I think BMW recommend changing your cam belt every 4 years what are your thoughts on this.
I do about 2,500 a year.
It's just not worth the risk! I'd be interested to see what others say...
It might be worth changing the water pump at this time as it's easily accessible at this point (lots of stuff already off) and therefore cheaper to have done if you don't DIY.
I've had it done on mine at the last belt change as there was nothing in the history of my car to show this had been done so peace of mind was important, bit like having the cambelt changed.
I probably won't need to change the water pump again.
Re: cam belt change
As some of you may know treat my car gently. It's my age as well as the car's!
So I have been slightly naughty and in the habit of changing the belt every 5 years. Working on the principle that BMW must err on the cautious side when stating service replacement intervals! I always replace the idler at the same time. Also did the water pump last time (@20 years!) as a precaution really, as the bearing and seals must past their prime, and it is certainly convenient to replace it when doing the belt.
Pat
So I have been slightly naughty and in the habit of changing the belt every 5 years. Working on the principle that BMW must err on the cautious side when stating service replacement intervals! I always replace the idler at the same time. Also did the water pump last time (@20 years!) as a precaution really, as the bearing and seals must past their prime, and it is certainly convenient to replace it when doing the belt.
Pat
Re: cam belt change
No need to replace the idler and bearings if you are only changing the belt due to age.Pat Slade wrote:As some of you may know treat my car gently. It's my age as well as the car's!
So I have been slightly naughty and in the habit of changing the belt every 5 years. Working on the principle that BMW must err on the cautious side when stating service replacement intervals! I always replace the idler at the same time. Also did the water pump last time (@20 years!) as a precaution really, as the bearing and seals must past their prime, and it is certainly convenient to replace it when doing the belt.
Pat
Pingu
Re: cam belt change
Change every 4 years and cleand the front of the engine.
No need to do idler roller or watherpump evry time.
Good luck its a nice job to do.
Made mi some tools fore the fan and long stud to release mainbolt on crankshaft.
No need to do idler roller or watherpump evry time.
Good luck its a nice job to do.
Made mi some tools fore the fan and long stud to release mainbolt on crankshaft.
Re: cam belt change
Thanks for your comments guys best get it booked in to be on the safe side.
Will give Munich Legends a ring.
Will give Munich Legends a ring.
Re: cam belt change
Did mine last winter BrianBZ1. Little bugger though the job is, I can't bring myself to stray past the 48 months, which seems to go by in a flash. I am trying to remember, but I think I've done mine 3 or 4 times now. I replaced the water pump this time, as a precaution, given that it is the original 1990 one. My car has around 50,000 miles on it. The old water pump looked and felt like new, by the way.
I'm well enough practiced now at this swine of a job to be able to do it without draining the coolant and disconnecting the hoses across the front of the engine, so I reckon with the new water pump I might switch over to Evans waterless coolant when I get the chance. I've done it for the 3.0csl and the only reason I held off with the Z was the tedious drain-down every 4 years for the belt.
If only there were some wonder material we could switch to that would render the cam belt a lifetime item
My view on the hassle factor is that painful though the job undoubtedly is, it would be so sad to pop the engine if a 5 or 6-year old belt were to let go. When you change it yourself you're only talking about £25 for the belt and pulley and it's cheap insurance I reckon.
Good luck with it.
I'm well enough practiced now at this swine of a job to be able to do it without draining the coolant and disconnecting the hoses across the front of the engine, so I reckon with the new water pump I might switch over to Evans waterless coolant when I get the chance. I've done it for the 3.0csl and the only reason I held off with the Z was the tedious drain-down every 4 years for the belt.
If only there were some wonder material we could switch to that would render the cam belt a lifetime item
My view on the hassle factor is that painful though the job undoubtedly is, it would be so sad to pop the engine if a 5 or 6-year old belt were to let go. When you change it yourself you're only talking about £25 for the belt and pulley and it's cheap insurance I reckon.
Good luck with it.
Best regards,
Sam Lever.
Anyone who says money isn't everything hasn't found the right classic car yet.
Z1 - 3.0csl - 987 Boxster - Rolls 20 - '72 911T - 997 GTS
Black Sport Evo M3 & SG M3 CSL & Austin 7 Special - now someone else's pleasure
Blue 2800cs - now someone else's pain
Old cars - the original "Not for Profit" organisation
Independent Financial Adviser in Buckingham
My Financial Blog
Sam Lever.
Anyone who says money isn't everything hasn't found the right classic car yet.
Z1 - 3.0csl - 987 Boxster - Rolls 20 - '72 911T - 997 GTS
Black Sport Evo M3 & SG M3 CSL & Austin 7 Special - now someone else's pleasure
Blue 2800cs - now someone else's pain
Old cars - the original "Not for Profit" organisation
Independent Financial Adviser in Buckingham
My Financial Blog
Re: cam belt change
Following the manual involves removing the bottom hose, which comes across the front of the cam belt cover and does rather get in the way of the job. The Z1 has a metal pipe too that bolts to the front. Manual says remove both to make room, but if you are careful you can move them out of the way and avoid it. I always used it as an excuse to change the coolant at that time, but with the Evans tackle in there you really just want to leave well alone.
Best regards,
Sam Lever.
Anyone who says money isn't everything hasn't found the right classic car yet.
Z1 - 3.0csl - 987 Boxster - Rolls 20 - '72 911T - 997 GTS
Black Sport Evo M3 & SG M3 CSL & Austin 7 Special - now someone else's pleasure
Blue 2800cs - now someone else's pain
Old cars - the original "Not for Profit" organisation
Independent Financial Adviser in Buckingham
My Financial Blog
Sam Lever.
Anyone who says money isn't everything hasn't found the right classic car yet.
Z1 - 3.0csl - 987 Boxster - Rolls 20 - '72 911T - 997 GTS
Black Sport Evo M3 & SG M3 CSL & Austin 7 Special - now someone else's pleasure
Blue 2800cs - now someone else's pain
Old cars - the original "Not for Profit" organisation
Independent Financial Adviser in Buckingham
My Financial Blog
Re: cam belt change
Sam,
I am very impressed by your dexterity! I would never have thought of trying it without disconnecting the hoses. It must surely turn a straightforward Z1 job into a difficult one.
But I understand that it would be desirable if you had Evans waterless in the car.
I saw it listed on a Porsche specialists service list and decided that it was wayyy too expensive to consider. Over £500 on my 911.
Yikes. Better be good!
Pat
I am very impressed by your dexterity! I would never have thought of trying it without disconnecting the hoses. It must surely turn a straightforward Z1 job into a difficult one.
But I understand that it would be desirable if you had Evans waterless in the car.
I saw it listed on a Porsche specialists service list and decided that it was wayyy too expensive to consider. Over £500 on my 911.
Yikes. Better be good!
Pat
Re: cam belt change
Hi Pat,
The Porker inevitably takes a bit more coolant, with its triple radiators and lots of water pipes from back to front layout (my 911 runs with no coolant and never gets hot ). I guess also that they are making a fair bit out of the job, which can't be easy, given the need to drain down completely to remove as much water as you can, followed by filling and running with the flushing liquid, before draining again and finally filling with the red blood that is the coolant.
For my CSL the flush and coolant came to £220 or so. I bought it at the NEC Classic Motor show and I think they did me a bit of a deal. I am guessing the 911 is half again as much liquid and a chunk of labour too. £500 comes up pretty quickly these days.
Looking forward to getting rid of the salt and crap from the roads and then I can enjoy one of the old bangers again. A very dirty Boxster is a willing every day companion, but I miss the older cars, till they go wrong of course.
Take care of yourself and see you soon.
The Porker inevitably takes a bit more coolant, with its triple radiators and lots of water pipes from back to front layout (my 911 runs with no coolant and never gets hot ). I guess also that they are making a fair bit out of the job, which can't be easy, given the need to drain down completely to remove as much water as you can, followed by filling and running with the flushing liquid, before draining again and finally filling with the red blood that is the coolant.
For my CSL the flush and coolant came to £220 or so. I bought it at the NEC Classic Motor show and I think they did me a bit of a deal. I am guessing the 911 is half again as much liquid and a chunk of labour too. £500 comes up pretty quickly these days.
Looking forward to getting rid of the salt and crap from the roads and then I can enjoy one of the old bangers again. A very dirty Boxster is a willing every day companion, but I miss the older cars, till they go wrong of course.
Take care of yourself and see you soon.
Best regards,
Sam Lever.
Anyone who says money isn't everything hasn't found the right classic car yet.
Z1 - 3.0csl - 987 Boxster - Rolls 20 - '72 911T - 997 GTS
Black Sport Evo M3 & SG M3 CSL & Austin 7 Special - now someone else's pleasure
Blue 2800cs - now someone else's pain
Old cars - the original "Not for Profit" organisation
Independent Financial Adviser in Buckingham
My Financial Blog
Sam Lever.
Anyone who says money isn't everything hasn't found the right classic car yet.
Z1 - 3.0csl - 987 Boxster - Rolls 20 - '72 911T - 997 GTS
Black Sport Evo M3 & SG M3 CSL & Austin 7 Special - now someone else's pleasure
Blue 2800cs - now someone else's pain
Old cars - the original "Not for Profit" organisation
Independent Financial Adviser in Buckingham
My Financial Blog
Re: cam belt change
My Z1 is currently on its 5th cam belt from 1991 and 29k miles, it's simply changed on a time expired basis. The water pump was also changed at the last Inspection 2 cam belt service as the additional time and cost is minimal if changing the belt. The old pump had very slight felt friction when spun by hand but was perfectly serviceable as was the belt with 4 years and 4k miles. Can you push the service times with low annual mileage? , probably, however I see regular belt changes in the service history file as a positive should you ever consider selling plus the benefit of peace of mind.
Evans waterless coolant. I am not entirely convinced it is needed if your cooling system is in good shape. I do use it in an MGB GT, mainly out of frustration when it took me time to identify that a replacement pattern part radiator was the wrong spec which led to high speed overheating. A re-core of the original radiator solved the problem. Bear in mind the Evans fluid is much thicker than the conventional water / coolant mix which makes the water pump work harder and the MGB nows runs a consistent 5 c hotter at normal operating temperatures which means re-setting the cut in point for the fan and replacing the thermostat. The fluid / pre prep flushing itself isn't cheap and in reality you need to drain / flush the system 3 times and get it up to temperature which can be a labour intensive pain in a sealed pressurised system. I believe (but not certain) the Evans coolant is flammable if exposed to high temperatures, e.g. a split hose and hot manifold. I recently serviced my late mothers Mini Cooper Sport which was due a coolant change after 16 years and 1,500 miles. I didn't bother with Evans and simply reverse flushed the system with a hose pipe and refilled it with a 50/50 mix of good quality antifreeze and water from the garage dehumidifiers.
Evans waterless coolant. I am not entirely convinced it is needed if your cooling system is in good shape. I do use it in an MGB GT, mainly out of frustration when it took me time to identify that a replacement pattern part radiator was the wrong spec which led to high speed overheating. A re-core of the original radiator solved the problem. Bear in mind the Evans fluid is much thicker than the conventional water / coolant mix which makes the water pump work harder and the MGB nows runs a consistent 5 c hotter at normal operating temperatures which means re-setting the cut in point for the fan and replacing the thermostat. The fluid / pre prep flushing itself isn't cheap and in reality you need to drain / flush the system 3 times and get it up to temperature which can be a labour intensive pain in a sealed pressurised system. I believe (but not certain) the Evans coolant is flammable if exposed to high temperatures, e.g. a split hose and hot manifold. I recently serviced my late mothers Mini Cooper Sport which was due a coolant change after 16 years and 1,500 miles. I didn't bother with Evans and simply reverse flushed the system with a hose pipe and refilled it with a 50/50 mix of good quality antifreeze and water from the garage dehumidifiers.
Re: cam belt change
Time flies ... having checked the service book it is 7 years and 8k miles since the last cam belt and 2 years since the last BMW oil service. Time to get a quote.
After going through the ritual BMW main dealer requirement of handing over the ignition key and watching the service receptionist try, and fail, to get any sense out of her diagnostic key service indicator thingy I was asked to take a seat. After 45 minutes and much scowling and head scratching by various people, the last one wearing a suit, we had a result.
I now know why they asked me to take a seat .... £1,605.35. They will only change a cam belt as part of an "Inspection 2" service as per the BMW schedule.
Parts include; cam belt @ £41.26 + VAT, Oil 0w30 4.75 units £85.50, and 2 units of gearbox oil £98.00 all plus VAT.
Labour is 85 AW's (??) totalling £956 +VAT.
As a comparison the May 2013 "Inspection 2" invoice was £698 + VAT (£837) which did not include the gearbox and diff fluids, but did include a new water pump (£87.18) and Bosch battery (£50). Labour was £300.
After going through the ritual BMW main dealer requirement of handing over the ignition key and watching the service receptionist try, and fail, to get any sense out of her diagnostic key service indicator thingy I was asked to take a seat. After 45 minutes and much scowling and head scratching by various people, the last one wearing a suit, we had a result.
I now know why they asked me to take a seat .... £1,605.35. They will only change a cam belt as part of an "Inspection 2" service as per the BMW schedule.
Parts include; cam belt @ £41.26 + VAT, Oil 0w30 4.75 units £85.50, and 2 units of gearbox oil £98.00 all plus VAT.
Labour is 85 AW's (??) totalling £956 +VAT.
As a comparison the May 2013 "Inspection 2" invoice was £698 + VAT (£837) which did not include the gearbox and diff fluids, but did include a new water pump (£87.18) and Bosch battery (£50). Labour was £300.
Re: cam belt change
After stopping using the BMW garage franchises, I have been looking for another, I am on number three now and still not satisified that the mechanics actually understand anything they do...
Anybody have any good experiences with garages in the The Hague area? Please let me know!!
Anybody have any good experiences with garages in the The Hague area? Please let me know!!
Re: cam belt change
How far are you from Renee?
Best regards,
Sam Lever.
Anyone who says money isn't everything hasn't found the right classic car yet.
Z1 - 3.0csl - 987 Boxster - Rolls 20 - '72 911T - 997 GTS
Black Sport Evo M3 & SG M3 CSL & Austin 7 Special - now someone else's pleasure
Blue 2800cs - now someone else's pain
Old cars - the original "Not for Profit" organisation
Independent Financial Adviser in Buckingham
My Financial Blog
Sam Lever.
Anyone who says money isn't everything hasn't found the right classic car yet.
Z1 - 3.0csl - 987 Boxster - Rolls 20 - '72 911T - 997 GTS
Black Sport Evo M3 & SG M3 CSL & Austin 7 Special - now someone else's pleasure
Blue 2800cs - now someone else's pain
Old cars - the original "Not for Profit" organisation
Independent Financial Adviser in Buckingham
My Financial Blog
Re: cam belt change
(RKV Trading)
Best regards,
Sam Lever.
Anyone who says money isn't everything hasn't found the right classic car yet.
Z1 - 3.0csl - 987 Boxster - Rolls 20 - '72 911T - 997 GTS
Black Sport Evo M3 & SG M3 CSL & Austin 7 Special - now someone else's pleasure
Blue 2800cs - now someone else's pain
Old cars - the original "Not for Profit" organisation
Independent Financial Adviser in Buckingham
My Financial Blog
Sam Lever.
Anyone who says money isn't everything hasn't found the right classic car yet.
Z1 - 3.0csl - 987 Boxster - Rolls 20 - '72 911T - 997 GTS
Black Sport Evo M3 & SG M3 CSL & Austin 7 Special - now someone else's pleasure
Blue 2800cs - now someone else's pain
Old cars - the original "Not for Profit" organisation
Independent Financial Adviser in Buckingham
My Financial Blog
Re: cam belt change
About three hours drive...
Is he still in business, because he doesn't seem to respond to (my) messages?
Robert
Is he still in business, because he doesn't seem to respond to (my) messages?
Robert
Re: cam belt change
Oh. I thought he was. May be not. That would be a shame.
Best regards,
Sam Lever.
Anyone who says money isn't everything hasn't found the right classic car yet.
Z1 - 3.0csl - 987 Boxster - Rolls 20 - '72 911T - 997 GTS
Black Sport Evo M3 & SG M3 CSL & Austin 7 Special - now someone else's pleasure
Blue 2800cs - now someone else's pain
Old cars - the original "Not for Profit" organisation
Independent Financial Adviser in Buckingham
My Financial Blog
Sam Lever.
Anyone who says money isn't everything hasn't found the right classic car yet.
Z1 - 3.0csl - 987 Boxster - Rolls 20 - '72 911T - 997 GTS
Black Sport Evo M3 & SG M3 CSL & Austin 7 Special - now someone else's pleasure
Blue 2800cs - now someone else's pain
Old cars - the original "Not for Profit" organisation
Independent Financial Adviser in Buckingham
My Financial Blog