Timing belt question.

I have a high milage (230k) 300 tdi with no history so I don't know when the belt was last changed.

I have been reading all the posts I can find on the timing belt and there is the odd clue that a worn belt can show some symptoms.

I know that the sensible thing is to just get the belt done anyway but my financial situation is terrible after a forced change to a lower paid job, it is gonna be touch and go if the bills get paid at the end of the month.

This is not a daily driver so less likely to give up but I would like to know what I should look out for as clues to the belt being stretched.

Thanks.

all 3 motors i have travelled in (not all mine!) that have suffered belt failure, gave no indications whatsoever untill the engine stopped.
(admittedly, they werent all landrovers)

Forget about looking for clues, not knowing its history is all the incentive I would need. Change the belt as soon as you can afford to do so. It's cheaper and easier than replacing the engine.

I will be doing just that. I have just been reading posts where people have mentioned things like fuel timing out and this being linked to the belt.

I just have never felt my engine runs as smooth as it should and trying every avenue to cure that.

When a timing belt goes you get no warning, just engine stops accompanied by a clattering of trashed pushrods.

I bought my 300 Tdi Discovery with no history, changed the timing belt the first week I had it before doing any significant mileage or going more than a few miles from home.

The old belt was actually in reasonable condition, but you just don't know until you get the belt cover off, at which point you may aswell carry the job out anyway. You can save some cash if you've already got the revised crank sprocket fitted so check that first, in that case you just need the belt, the idler and the tensioner (approx £50).

How can I tell if I have the revised sprocket, and what if I don't and don't change it?

Brian S said:

How can I tell if I have the revised sprocket, and what if I don't and don't change it?

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Yu cant. Don't take risks. Replace the lot - or at least get all the bits.

Brian S said:

How can I tell if I have the revised sprocket, and what if I don't and don't change it?

Click to expand...

The revised sprocket has a raised rim around the edge to help retain the belt. It will be obvious once you strip the old belt off, you said you're trying to save cash and that part is around £30 so thought it would be worth mentioning to you.

Cheers.

Cheers arienol. I will have a look and change it if it's not the correct one.

Hi,
If your not sure about the timing belt..... Change it !
I did mine on my disco 300tdi, the belt was £75 with replacement tensioner and crank toothed cog.

My wifes Audi TT's cam belt snapped when under milage and under time for it to be replaced.
She was just pulling into our street doing 20mph, no warning at all.

£3500 bill

I went and watched/ helped a mate do his belt and decided that i am going to get a garage to do mine as, although not difficult, there was a few awkward issues like removing the pully that would make it a pain for me to do in this weather.

early 300 tdis had belt aligning sides on tensioner and not crank sprocket ,you need to fit crank sprocket with sides lhh100660 £15 tensioner lhp100860 £12 ,as long as you can get front crank pulley off quite an easy job