Is it time for a new cambelt

Almost correct, it's 50k or 5 years now, whichever comes sooner.

Would that mean my wedge 214 is due for another one then. 110k? (last changed 3 years ago at 60k). Also how involved a job is it? and will I need to replace the tensioner too?

generally you cant replace the cam belt often enough -

every 3/4 years wouldnt be a bad idea - but make sure that you get a proper MG-Rover belt put back on.

The reason I posed this question was that I was a bit surprised to hear a time quoted. Whilst I can see that a belt might develop a 'set' if not used for some time, which could potentially weaken it, I wouldn't have thought it would deteriorate significantly over time if just doing a regular low mileage (provided, of course, it didn't get contaminated with oil).

its made from amongst other things rubber - which does deteriate over time - there is alot of sevice items on a car like brake fluid and coolant - which are almost independant of mileage and just need doing at specific time intervals.

mjt said:

The reason I posed this question was that I was a bit surprised to hear a time quoted. Whilst I can see that a belt might develop a 'set' if not used for some time, which could potentially weaken it, I wouldn't have thought it would deteriorate significantly over time if just doing a regular low mileage (provided, of course, it didn't get contaminated with oil).

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Oh yes they degrade with time alright!

To give you an idea, a prestigious German Marque main dealer up this end of the Uk had to scrap a pile of brand new belts because they were on the shelf so long they were cracking at the teeth. Problem only came to the fore after one broke!

I bought one OE belt for a Swedish marque, fitted it, turning the engine over by hand to check, and spotted a huge crack. Took it back, and got a new one no questions.

So, replace them 3 years, 36k, and check the NEW one before you put it on!


CAM

i would recommend buying a kit which includes idlers and tensioner.

these can fail just as much as a belt.

i think it works out that an average idler in its life spins 3.8 million times, with only a internal bearing system wear is inevitable.

To give you an idea, a prestigious German Marque main dealer up this end of the Uk had to scrap a pile of brand new belts because they were on the shelf so long they were cracking at the teeth.

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Be very, very careful with this. I bought a cambelt from [reputable motor factor] and the date of manufacture was two years previous.

Now I'm no expert, but I'm going to go ahead and assume that belt rubber begins to oxidise from the moment they come out of the mould. If that's the case then mine would have had seven years worth of air exposure by the time I changed it next. If it didn't fail first.

It's possible that the manufacturer's guidelines take extended storage into account when they specify renewal intervals, but I doubt it.