Belt in Oil

[hoppyscotty]

very interesting, thanks for posting. Reminiscent of the BMW swirl flap issue around 15 years ago - a complex and high maintenance system delivers a marginal MPG improvement but destroys the engine when it goes wrong. Just crazy. As others have said, as cars get older it becomes much more likely that a mechanic wont use exactly the right oil, or will miss a belt change - definitely an argument for keeping things simple and low risk

Manufacturers are not doing This for fun…the ever tightening regulations demand it of them. Plenty of belt driven cars out there going on to very high mileage. Just need to maintain them and maintenance is the responsibility of the owner. Chain driven engines need maintenance too and do occasionally fail usually because owners become complacent and don’t realise that though you might not need to replace a chain you often do have to replace tensioners or slipper pads or something.

 

[Chippy_Tea]

Just need to maintain them and maintenance is the responsibility of the owner

Thus was addressed earlier in the thread they need a specific oil and a mechanic that knows the car has two cam belts, when you take the old car your back street garage they are going to put oil of a certain grade in it not the recommenced oil which will kill the belt if you and they are unaware there is a belt inside and ot doesn't get changed

 

[dad_of_jon]

There is also the issue of some engine flush products sold as a quick buck for the garage - I've been offered this in halfords typically to increase it's £££ damaging the belts. PSA group have warned about this. So not only does servicing need to be done properly but no incompatible engine flush. A little old lady trying to keep her car well maintained could well fall for this at one of the chains.