The threat of a broKen timing belt lurks in the mind of 360 owners. Was wondering if anyone experienced such a disaster? (Changed my original belt at 3.5 years and 35K miles. )
Probably because the 430 has a timing chain. But yes, I also havent heard of a belt breaking in a 360 or the chain failing in a 430. But we have seen a recent example of a cam variator failing causing engine damage.
Can you describe the Cam Variator failure. I know about a recall campaign to replace the bolt which holds the Variator on one Bank. Some have said that even with the longer bolt, failures can still occur.
There used to be a youtube video of a Stradale at Palm Beach Track day blowing the cam belt during a lap. It was an in car camera shot so not much to see except the driver clicking the paddles and nothing happening. Can't find it or would post it. Very sad day for him I would say.....
Thanks PAP for the thread. It appears that the Variators need to be changed with the belts and that perhaps they are more likely to fail than the belts are! Are Variators the same as tensioners?
Yeah man, thats what I would do. Replace the cam variators every belt service. Aint cheap, but its probably for the best. Variators are not the same as tensioners. Variators vary cam timing. Tensioners tension cam belts. They were "updated", but I think the ones that failed in old mates car where the updated ones.
When I had my 360 in being worked on they had another one in the shop they were rebuilding after the timing belt broke. It does happen.
Steady on chaps. Your dealers will love you. There would be loads more of these failing for it to be a big problem. If mine fails (04 car ) I'll let you know. I'm certainly not changing it out every belt, and I dont believe many dealers will either unless you suggest it to them. I feel lucky.
+1- I'm going to drive my car and do normal belt changes/service...enjoy life and not worry about it. I've only heard about 3 variator failures here on f-chat, from around the world- such a small number relative to something like 18,000 360's made? Things tend to get blown out of proportion on forums (that is per my mechanic). Don't want to jinx myself though, so I'll knock on wood
Someone thats bored do the following- amount of 360's consumed by "spontaneous combustion" vs variator failures....
I just turned 80k miles on my '99 360 and no variator problems at all. I just changed the timing belts, but as I stated in a previous post, these timing belts are tough!! Toughest ones I've ever seen. As a matter of fact my timing belt had 50k miles on it this time before I changed it. Why? Am I crazy? No, I inspected it regularly after 30k and found it to be like new. Just like the first one I changed at 30k. And when I changed it this time at 50k it still looked good and so did the tensioner pulleys,....in perfect condition. Don't forget, there are two timing belts with a separate drive gears for each, further reducing it's stress. Looking at the belt after 50k showed microscopic cracking. Didn't want to chance it anymore.
Hey PAP- I looked at some of the timing diagrams: The Variators are attached at the end of the exhaust cams. From what I gather from the other thread is that they are difficult to remove and replace. The Tensioners are located in the "V" of the timing belts. Much easier to replace. On my first belt service one was replaced. Now my question is: Can the mechanic determine at the time of belt service, if the Variator and Tensioners are worn out and need replacement? Or does one just change them or not depending on your philosophy?
Maybe this will help. Have the long version, too, I think, if anybody wants to see it. Taz Terry Phillips Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
you pansy! I would have ran it until I literally saw tears and the belts looked like bruce banners belt after he transforms back from the incredible hulk! torn to shreds! that is how a true baller rolls!! 50k! come on! go for 100k!! microscopic tears? come on! don't be a nancy boy!
