Why does the aux belt 'have' to be done with the cambelt?

[RB_Stu]

Hi all,

Picked up my 182 on wednesday and im really happy with it other than it needing the dephaser changing.. Now, the belt kit and aux kit was done 18months or so back so is relatively new, so what im hoping to do is swap the dephaser for a new one and time it up on a new belt re-using everything else..

But. I keep reading posts that say when the cambelt is done the aux belt 'has' to be done, cant help but wonder why?

 

[Jaff.]

because the aux belt has to come off to do the timing belt and its bad practice to re tention an old belt (as i suspect you know because your putting a new timing belt on it)

 

[mantis946]

Not to mention an aux belt is about £16 (£8 more if it has aircon)

It's worth it to be honest.

 

[RB_Stu]

Ahh i wondered if there was something silly like tensioners that could only be used once or whatever, i would replace the belt as a matter of course as its been off naturally.

Thanks for the info

 

[MicKPM]

Another reason is because if the belt run fails or jumps (due to say incorrect tension or general belt fatigue) it normally ends up wrapped around the bottom sprocket... Which also slips the timing and bends valves.

 

[PP200t]

Is there any time the 'old' timing belt can be reused? Mine was only done 5000 miles ago but I'm concerned the dephaser is making noises, damn forum!

 

[Jaff.]

Is there any time the 'old' timing belt can be reused? Mine was only done 5000 miles ago but I'm concerned the dephaser is making noises, damn forum!

in simple terms... no.

 

[PP200t]

Cheers jaff. I was hoping a relatively new belt 'could' be used again.

 

[Jaff.]

it can be used again but with something as important as a cambelt i see it as a silly desicion not to put new on there.

apparently its the tensioners that generally go on the F4 rather than the belt anyway. but again, why risk it?