For the poor buggers running Discos!

[Julian]

After shredding enough timing belts to stretch around (forum Pedants please note the correct use of the term "around") the equator ... well three actually, I thought I'd give myself a fighting chance of catching the next one before it wrecks all the moving parts at the top of the engine again.

So I set about the top left of the timing belt housing cover with a 22mm hole saw (best done with the cover off the car) and printed a little cover held in place with a self tapper.

Having tried it with the fan and cowl in place I may modify the design to include an M6 thumb bolt on the basis that if it's easy to access I'm more likely to check it regularly!









This photo has been re-sampled for the forum, the origonal shows amazingly good detail and should show if any undue wear is taking place.

[Jamesrl]

Why do you persist in using "a" before the word round? "Enough belts to stretch round the equator" would be perfectly acceptable.

Anyway, if that picture is of a new belt it don't look very healthy to me.

[K.H]

Wouldn't it be easier to fit a reliable engine? ie not a Lawnrover one!

[Julian]

Why do you persist in using "a" before the word round? "Enough belts to stretch round the equator" would be perfectly acceptable.

Either is perfectly acceptable.

Anyway, if that picture is of a new belt it don't look very healthy to me.

I'd tend to agree ... that was the whole point of making the hole.  I'll give it a couple of weeks and measure the belt width in-situ.

I'll have to turn the engine off first because it will be difficult to measure if it's going around.

[Jamesrl]

I'll have to turn the engine off first because it will be difficult to measure if it's going around.

Not if you're quick.

[Julian]

Wouldn't it be easier to fit a reliable engine? ie not a Lawnrover one!

Then there would be nothing to post about ... (or should that be bout).

[Julian]

I'll have to turn the engine off first because it will be difficult to measure if it's going around.

Not if you're quick.

I can and have been described as many things, but quick isn't one that crops up too often.

[Jamesrl]

I'll have to turn the engine off first because it will be difficult to measure if it's going around.

Not if you're quick.

I can and have been described as many things, but quick isn't one that crops up too often.

I'll bet the mrs would argue that point.

As for "bout", ye' that's fine if y'wan'a fight geeza.

[Julian]

So, this will be iteration 2 ...

[K.H]

The things you lot do to play with your printers!

[Rotary-Motion]

Julian did you use a mobile phone to take pictures? quality is amazingly sharp

[Julian]

The things you lot do to play with your printers!

You mean like Merc sunroof clips?

[Julian]

Julian did you use a mobile phone to take pictures? quality is amazingly sharp

No.  It's a little second-hand Konica I got off my daughter because she'd lost the battery.  I told her they could be had on ebay but she wanted to buy a new one ... she's bought another two since that and all the time this one's been working fine ... kids!

I don't even think it's set on its highest resolution.

[Rotary-Motion]

Julian did you use a mobile phone to take pictures? quality is amazingly sharp

No.  It's a little second-hand Konica I got off my daughter because she'd lost the battery.  I told her they could be had on ebay but she wanted to buy a new one ... she's bought another two since that and all the time this one's been working fine ... kids!

I don't even think it's set on its highest resolution.

tidy nice camera, thx...

[julesandtash]

If you have the correct tensioner and crankshaft sprocket fitted then the next common cause is deformation of the back plate due to being overtightened to the block or the pump bracket pulling the pump out of line.
It may be worth replacing both if yours keeps eating belts.