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[Andy A]

I changed the cam-belt around 4 years ago but I've only done around 9K miles in that time. I put in a Contitech kit along with a new water pump and auxiliary belt.

How urgent is it that it that it needs to be be changed this year?

[Nick W]

I wouldn't worry about it on MY car.
But that isn't advice that I would give for YOURS.
it's not that bad/expensive a job compared to typical Omega expenditure.

[Migv6 le Frog Fan]

Difficult to say. It could last another 10 years or it could go bang tomorrow. Its Russian roulette really.
Depends on how much the car is worth to you. If its a really nice example and / or your attached to it, then its urgent.
If its just a car to get about in and its not worth much you could take a chance and carry on regardless.
Only you can answer these questions.

[Bigron]

I agree with Albs; words of wisdom indeed. An Omega guru on here once said "4 years and not a day longer, regardless of mileage, 40,000 miles and not a mile further, regardless of time passed".
Possibly a bit prescriptive, but worth heeding - or suffer the consequences!

Ron.

[biggriffin]

Remember if you go over the 4years by 1 day, or get it over the 40,000mile limits, you will die, the car will spontaneously combust...

Mine was 5000miles over,did it on Saturday.

[Terbs]

As is often quoted about this job, It's the tensioner that seems to be the culprit more than the actual belt. Have to ask the question, ....if, like my saloon, it does about 2000 miles a year if it is lucky, does the tensioner suffer still as it would at 40,000 miles. Logic says not.....but !!!!!
Or....do we get belt failure due to lack of use !!
I hasten to add....I am a coward and mine get done, 4 years or 40000, and its always the years first

[Bigron]

Regardless of the fine debate over this on here, my position is that cambelts are cheaper than engines and come with peace of mind.....

Ron.

[TheBoy]

They were designed to last 80k/8yrs, and have some leeway in that.

However, GM reduced to 40k/4yrs due to the number of failures. I'd expect there is significant leeway in that figure.  If mine clocked over 40k/4yrs now, I'd wait a few weeks for guaranteed nicer weather to change it

But if you're really unlucky, and it goes shortly after the 40k/4yrs, you'll be kicking yourself.


Your call

[Doctor Gollum]

I did mine every 80, but that was typically every three years... Changed twice in my ownership.

[Andy A]

I'll get the parts ordered in the next couple of weeks when I can afford it. Advice taken. Better to be safe than sorry. 

[biggriffin]

I'll get the parts ordered in the next couple of weeks when I can afford it. Advice taken. Better to be safe than sorry. 

I've posted a linky in car chat for cheap kit, got a gates belt, and skf bearings.

[Nick W]

As is often quoted about this job, It's the tensioner that seems to be the culprit more than the actual belt. Have to ask the question, ....if, like my saloon, it does about 2000 miles a year if it is lucky, does the tensioner suffer still as it would at 40,000 miles. Logic says not.....but !!!!!
Or....do we get belt failure due to lack of use !!
I hasten to add....I am a coward and mine get done, 4 years or 40000, and its always the years first

It's the tensioner that tends to fail first when the system is neglected. I'm quite happy doing a belt change a few months late, but seriously doubt the short-lived 80k interval; on a car that regularly sees a lot of miles I would be tempted to do it at 60k.
Let's not forget the likelihood is that any belt kit we fit was manufactured sometime ago.

[Andy A]

I'll get the parts ordered in the next couple of weeks when I can afford it. Advice taken. Better to be safe than sorry. 

I've posted a linky in car chat for cheap kit, got a gates belt, and skf bearings.

I'll have a look. 

[BazaJT]

When I bought my Omega there was evidence to say it'd been changed at 40,000mls when the car was 5yrs old[so that'd have been 2005].Then there was nothing until I had it changed about 3yrs ago at just over 130,000mls.

[Bigron]

It seems that you have dodged a bullet, there! 

Ron.