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Re-using cambelt.
coozer - 18/11/07 at 02:30 PM

Is it OK to re use a cambelt? Mine is quite new, but I want to change the cams.

I have always thought that once you take it off you should use a new one. Is that right, or is OK to reuse it??

Steve

Fatboy Dave - 18/11/07 at 02:32 PM

I'm fanatical about never reusing cambelts, but only because my local trade place knocks them out at a fiver a pop for Dayco ones.

I s'pose you could if it was fairly new, but economies of scale and all that...

blakep82 - 18/11/07 at 03:29 PM

bad idea. i'd never reuse a cam belt. always replace. something to do with a new being stretched as soon as its used or something. i forget why, but i'd never reuse one, unless you were desperate and didn't have a new one, and a new one was inpossible to find

martin1973 - 18/11/07 at 03:44 PM

imho i should be ok to reuse a cambelt you must mark the rotation, with arrow and put it back on that way.

but at less than a tenner for new belt is it worth it?

Fatgadget - 18/11/07 at 03:50 PM

quote:
Originally posted by martin1973
imho i should be ok to reuse a cambelt you must mark the rotation, with arrow and put it back on that way.

but at less than a tenner for new belt is it worth it?


Certainly not if its on one of those engines where the valves and pistons get intimate should it let go.

coozer - 18/11/07 at 04:55 PM

Its a 1.8 zetec that I'm putting some 2.0L cams into.

C10CoryM - 18/11/07 at 05:00 PM

It is generally accepted (even by OEM) to re-use a belt IF it is in good shape and the rotation has been marked. If you are replacing the cam gears with the cams you need a new belt for sure.

andybod - 18/11/07 at 06:16 PM

rebuild cost verse new belt cost it doesn't make sense to reuse old belt i wouldn't use old belt

Danozeman - 20/11/07 at 01:20 PM

How many miles has the belt done? They are cheap enough but if its not done many miles id be temped to use it again if your using the same pullies.

Zetec belts are cheap as chips.