You reckon it'll be ok? If I mark direction and mark the position on the auto tensioner? I needed to fit the belt as it looked worse for wear, I need to do the stem seals sooner than expected so hence less than 500 miles on the belt.

It's a z20let engine just for reference purposes.

 

just fit a new ,quality belt-they aint expensive

 

I will second that , for what it costs fit a new belt. Imagine how gutted you would feel if the old belt let go and ruined your engine!

 

Cheers lads, yea probably not wrong to be fair, it's only been on the car a month, it's a contitech kit on it already, I'll just pick up another contitech or dayco belt.

I think I've found the source of the problem though, I've just fitted a decat and it started burning a load more oil, Iv ordered a restrictor bolt for the turbo oil feed as they run 90-100psi of oil pressure at the turbo, I think the greatly reduced back pressure has over pressurised the turbo seals causing the excess smoke.

 

What will you do when the new belt gets to 500 miles or 1 month old though

What damage is going to occur to the belt when you release the tensioner and remove the belt?

 

Back in my cvh days I'd have the cam belt on and off loads of times, never failed once.
That said, i was a student and very little spare cash. I didn't do the same to me zetec turbo though or any other car since.
Let's be real here, loosening tension off will do no harm as the belt is in a constant change in tension due to cams springing from valve springs. More to do with potential damage when removing and refitting.
As long as the belt is in good order and tensioners and pulleys too, it probably last a long time.

 

Providing care is taken to remove the belt and not damage or contaminate it then 100% re use it. Waste of money and unnecessary paranoia to buy a new one.

 

mines always on and off

 

I'd reuse it

 

As said, don't damage it, keep it clean and it will be fine.

 

You may need to measure how much oil is returning from the turbo return for 1minute on tick over and then open the restrictor bolt up accordingly (if needed) as it should return a set amount of ml per minute

Pm me if you need any help

 

Thanks for the replys guys, I've never really taken a belt off when it's so new, I thought some of you lads might have hence the thread, my common sense side says re-using won't be a problem, cam belts are extremely tough, but sometimes things aren't so black and white so needed some real world experiences.

 

Ok, thanks for the support, I'll put the bolt on and see what I get, I bought the bolt from LMF on recommendations after Percy (iirc) has stopped making them, so hopefully it'll be plug and play.

 

Oh and the turbo is a 15 month old unit from euro's, can't remember off the top of my head if it was new or recon though, iirc it was £600+ so probably new.

 

I personally would re use the belt. But saying that any ford workshop procedure says replace cam belt regardless off the mileage it's covered

 

Its a 4 month old post pal.

 

And your point being ?
Is there a time limit to these threads now days.

 

I would think he's done the job by now mate

Or at least I would hope so!

 

Fair enough
I used to work at ford so just thought I'd share what they say to do.
Didn't spot the date tbh

 

I've done the same thing myself before mate so you ain't alone! 

 

I did the job and re used the belt, car drives lovely now, new set of valve stem seals with retainers and along with the restrictor bolt the engine burns as clean as a whistle not long after this I then replaced the gearbox with a few bits like new clutch and a new mount and dropped the sump re sealed it and it's been bone dry and a pleasure to drive, the misses loves it tbh, not really been a Vauxhall fan but after a load of TLC it's become a very good family car.

This year has been a year of working on cars tbf, I only just swapped boxes on my s211 merc.