Would you change the cam belt?

I have read all the posts about cambelts and have found out that they should be changed at 60k miles (or 5 years) but a import trader somewhere up North told me that he had never heard of a cambelt failure before 60k miles. Surely, this defies the "5 years" rule of thumb if we are talking about a car which is 13/14 years old. Would you wait or pay out and get it changed as a matter of course on a Supra with 45k miles that had never had a cambelt change?

Any advice would be great!

I get it done on any car I buy no matter if the owner has told me its been changed or not. Its an item you dont want failing

i had mine go on my clio after only 46k only 30 mins after the person who i sold it to just brought it

do you know how much damage it can cause to your engine if it does go....its just not worth the risk of waiting to see.....24 bent valves in a supra = lots of money and labour

if it were me i would. all the cars ive brought have been between the 50k + region and i always do a full service inc cam belt...... the cost of fixing a engine when a cam belt goes is prob bout enuf to pay for 20 cam belt changes.....just do it so you dont have to worry

Thank you. Has anybody on here had a failed cambelt before 60k miles?

I read somewhere on here that Supras are non interference engines and therefore the cambelt woudlnt do that sort of damage?! Anyone else know if thats true?

do you know how much damage it can cause to your engine if it does go

.....24 bent valves in a supra = lots of money and labour

a import trader somewhere up North told me that he had never heard of a cambelt failure before 60k miles. Surely, this defies the "5 years" rule of thumb if we are talking about a car which is 13/14 years old.

The five year thing isn't a 'rule of thumb' , it's what Toyota say. They probably know more about it than your import trader does.

Jake, would you suggest holding out for the 6ok mark before changing it if cash is a bit tight?

Its not a big job to replace anyway.

Jake, would you suggest holding out for the 6ok mark before changing it if cash is a bit tight?

No, I would change it anyway. It's not an expensive job - the same as 3 or 4 tanks of fuel, so WTF just change it to be on the safe side.

OTOH, worst case scenario, you're going to be stuck somewhere with a broken car that you need to get to a garage. Personally I'd just get it changed but if you feel like a gamble you aren't risking much.

Jake, would you suggest holding out for the 6ok mark before changing it if cash is a bit tight?

If you're concerned about shelling out for a cam belt change a Supra isn't for you. It's peanuts money to do.

How much are we talking about approx?

i don't think anyone will suggest holding out per se but if i was betting man i'd say it will in all probability! be fine.........

do you have AA/RAC cover?

Mark you worry too much mate. owning a supra is not gonna be as cheap as the FTO, fuel wise, maintenance wise, etc.. Its a supercar and needs that kind of treatment

How much are we talking about approx?

About £250-£300 from Toyota. Probably less from a decent garage.

If you're concerned about shelling out for a cam belt change a Supra isn't for you.

Homer may have a point........

......where in Hants are you based?

He he .. youre right Maz, I am a bit of a worrier, had 3 years of trouble-free motoring with the FTO and have read quite a few scarey stories on here. They are supercars and need to be treated with respect and your wallet of course :-)

Im from Southampton mate, where abouts are you from?

have you looked at the 2 supras HERE they are 'non bling' but seem like (very?) clean examples............certainly worth a look if you are close to Chichester?

Im from Southampton mate, where abouts are you from?

Ah right i work in Petersfield and occasionally in Eastleigh.

.....you're not that far from Chichester then

Cheers bud, may go and have a "butchers". Is it true that TT aerotops are slightly slower than TT non-aerotops due to the increase in weight?

Just for your information if you search in thread titles for

"Cambelt Snapped"

"Cambelt Failed"

"cambelt Broken"

you will get nil results

This thread is the only time i remember someone posting up with a failed belt...........

Cheers bud, may go and have a "butchers". Is it true that TT aerotops are slightly slower than TT non-aerotops due to the increase in weight?

they are heavier but you'll not notice the difference in performance...........you will notice the lower stiffness when the roof is off but more the way it flex's over bumps/potholes......i always found it fine on corners........

None?

 

Supras don't bend valves if the cambelt breaks. Non-interference design innit.

i did not know that. yet another brilliant thing the supra has