Quote:
Originally Posted by 360beast
Whichever comes first, it isn't one or the other especially on a Whiteblock where if it does snap you are well and truly up sh1t creak as the head rebuild will be extensive and needs specialist knowledge and tools.
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What Luke said! ^^^^^
In fact, i'd be inclined to do it every 6 years/60k miles, whichever comes first and ensure the tensioners are renewed with new securing bolts - even if they look ok. In the August edition of Practical Classics, someone with a V50 (staff member in the Bangernomics section) had a timing belt replaced on a V50 i think it was (still essentially a whiteblock) and the tensioner wasn' ternewed but the the bolt holding it failed a few miles down the road. He was lucky and got away without lunching the engine.
Also adding 0.5L of Carlube ATF-U to the engine oil (other synthetic ATFs with a viscosity of 32 will probably work too, not tried them so can't say for sure) will help quieten sticky tappets, improve compression by freeing sticky valves and rings and generally improve things internally. Also helps to revive dry oil seals that might be weeping or about to start.