So granny then who only does 500 miles a year in her MINI to the shops and back has to wait 300 years before hers is due, hmmm, maybe its time related too in some cases?
The early 1.6 d MINIs 2008 ,2009 and 2010 are Peugeot engines and have a timing belt .They are easy to tell from the latter BMW engine on the style of the cover is double on the BM engine a much smaller cover on the Pug engine .Mine has done 140000 miles and still running very well.
A friend of mine has a Pug with this engine and has covered 324000 miles.
My 2002 VW Golf TDi had a rubber timing belt. VW called for replacement at 80K miles. I had the belt changed a bit early around 75K miles.
While VW called for an 80K mile belt change the word is during the 100K mile engine test required a representive engine must pass before the engine can be sold in the US no engine services beyond oil/filter, engine air filter, and tires are allowed. This includes any belts, even timing belts.
So the belt can go 100K miles. But the 100K mile test is done in a relatively short time. The test car with the engine is driven on a closed track and the vehicle driven at some speed -- as fast as reasonable -- to reduce the time the 100K mile test takes.
In our cars the belt not only has to tolerate the stresses when the engine is being run but the negative effects from exposure.
I don't recall if there was change by date for the timing belt. I drove my VW a lot and reached 75K miles in just a few years. When I sold it in early 2009 it had 150K miles on, so I put 150K miles on it in 7 years or around 21.4K miles per year on average.
I'd be leery of driving running a timing belt for 150K miles. If the factory called for a 150K mile timing belt service I'd probably do this at 100K miles. If there is a time limit on the belt, say 6 years (just a number) if I didn't drive 100K miles in 6 years I'd have the belt replaced on time every 6 years.
the water pump is driven off timing belt on the psi hdi engines pre 2010 the water pump will fail before 150,000 miles more times than not, as its a timing belt off job to do water pump only a fool would not change both at same time,, 80k a good point to do such a job as any mileage above this the risk increases a lot , ironically the later bmw n47 diesels the timing chain have a habit of failure around 80k as well, both engines are interference engines so damage will always be end result,
That's a good point about the water pump. I forgot the timing belt drove the water pump in my Golf. Lost the accessory drive belt on the freeway. Heard a thump and then the battery warning light came on. Knew what had happened. Was looking for a place to pull off the freeway but the coolant temperature stayed good. Drove another 15 miles to Albuquerque no problems other than I learned just how much power power steering supplies to help one steer the car. At any rate no real problems and I got the car fixed there.
But in the case of my VW while I changed the timing belt early the original water pump was just fine when I sold the car. I treated the car to at last one coolant drain and refill after 4 years. My tech buddies told me this was a good way to prolong the life to the water pump and in fact the hoses, heater core, etc.
My point is sure if the water pump goes bad and needs replacing that's the time to replace the timing belt. A very good time. But if one gets good (even exceptional) life from the water pump then one must adhere to the timing belt replacement schedule. And the flip side is at this time replace not only the timing belt but the water pump. Yeah, I note I didn't follow my own advice replacing just the timing belt but not the water pump. Do as I say (well, suggest) not as I do.
then there is the its says a time span as well . ie 10 years or 150,000 miles in many cases , seen way to many cars with failed belts or pulleys or water pump under 100k just not worth the risk
MINI Coopers are considered to be dependable vehicles. However, as with all vehicles, there is wear and tear over time which can lead to rattling noises if proper vehicle maintenance is not performed. Do not ignore this noise as it may indicate a serious problem with the timing chain. The role of the timing chain is to link all the moving parts of a MINI Cooper engine.
A timing chain tensioner keeps the timing chain under proper pressure using a spring-loaded mechanism or oil pressure. In addition, chain guides and silencers are used to prevent the chain from vibrating. All of these components can wear down over time.
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