Cambelt, 1992 Torslanda
 

Just a question that might not be answerable! I was checking my garage invoices and discovered that the car's done around 66,000 miles since the last cambelt change. I realise there's a risk in driving but how much of a risk is there likely to be? Haynes says change at 48,000 so I guess I'm well beyond any manufacturer margin of safety. I believe it's a non-interference engine, and it would be something of a relief if so. Also they tell me at the garage that the most likely time for failure is on cold starting, less so while driving.

The really bad news is that the garage can't fit in until the 19th, so I'm likely to be on tenterhooks each time I drive!

Anyway, opinions and comments most welcome, even if it means I might need to borrow or hire a car for a couple of weeks.

I believe,also, it to be a non interference , 200F, engine and it is more likely to break on cold starts.
As for if it will do another 18 days, that’s crystal ball stuff!🤔

I suppose one could ask, does the risk depend on how cold a start it is?
Perhaps turning a reluctant engine over in sub-zero temperatures might strain the belt more than a quick start in mild weather?
Would warming the engine first help - heater under the sump, for example?

Or is it the flexibility of the belt itself that matters, rather than the load on the belt?

I have a feeling that the B200F is an interference engine, a quick look online says both interference and non interference. At this point I don't think anyone knows for certain which 8v's are or aren't interference engines. I know a B200E in a 360 is non interference as my mates snapped while it was idling on his driveway and no damage was done. Out of curiosity I span the crank over on my 940's B230FK with no belt on it and it span 360 degrees multiple times without issue so I suspect the 2.3 turbo 8v engines are fine.

How many years has it been since the cambelt was changed? It should be done IIRC off the top of my head at 48k miles or 5 years whichever comes first.

B200F is an interference engine to the best of my knowledge, the B230 isn't. I know the cambelt was the first thing I did when I collected mine from it's one previous owner at 179k with no cambelt history, drove home with fingers crossed...

Thanks. I was talking to a neighbour earlier who thought much as you, that in warmer weather it's less likely to break, so I shall just have to drive as little as possible until the job can be done.

[QUOTE=How many years has it been since the cambelt was changed? It should be done IIRC off the top of my head at 48k miles or 5 years whichever comes first.[/QUOTE]

I'm ashamed to say it looks as if it was October 2013, when the cylinder head gasket was changed. It's all the more galling because I've been so careful about every aspect of servicing in the more than ten years I've had the car, somehow managed to overlook cambelt. You're right, that's what Haynes says about renewal interval.

As an interim measure you could remove the belt cover top:~
(quite easy to do) if any obvious signs of failure are shown then don't drive it.

Not a definitive practice though as hidden belt problems can exist- but it may just give the additional confidence- the 19th will soon come round and a Volvo belt or other descent make should be able to take the additional mileage.
Regards Bob.

I would definitely check for cracks on the belt. Touch it and bend it a little to see how hard it is.
Use it less possible and be gentle with throttle.

Most likely a Volvo belt, and I have to hope there's a reasonable safety margin! Removing the cover might be a bit ambitious for me, at my time of life, but I'll see if I can persuade the garage to have a look on Monday, they might just fit it in between jobs. Thanks for suggestion.