ptpt Posted March 20, 2007 Share Posted March 20, 2007 Hello all I'm just completing my first month of Caterham ownership and have been lucky enough so far to have enjoyed some superb blatting weather and only the merest of mechanical gremlins! The car I bought is a 1996 Roadsport 1.4SS, 6 speed with 22,000 miles (bought from another member - White7). To the best of my knowledge the cambelt has not been changed and considering how many fun it is to rev the bejesus out of this engine, I'm thinking a cambelt change might be timely. The car had barely done 100miles between the MOT in July 2006 and me taking possession in late February. Would this 7 month hibernation have any impact on cambelt longevity? In addition, I've been reading up on the various afflictions of upgraditis amongst you all and fitting Vernier pulleys seems to be a common upgrade made when the cambelt is being replaced. Roughly how much would I be looking at to get this done - parts and labour? Final thing - I live in London but spend quite a bit of time in Suffolk and have noticed Hyperion on numerous drives up to see my parents. I'm curious as to people's experience of their service - Good/great/expensive?! I'm tempted to book the car in for some work when I go away on holiday next month and getting a taxi to stanstead from the workshop 😬 Your comments would be most appreciated - cheers! Phillip White 1.4SS, 6sp, LSD and now no tyres left... Edited by - ptpt on 21 Mar 2007 08:00:14 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unclefester Posted March 20, 2007 Share Posted March 20, 2007 I'd be amazed if the belt needs changing at 22k miles. I just checked 1st change on a Fiat barchetta, it's 120000 km, which is over 70,000 miles. Modern belts last for a surprisingly long time.... Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds..ooooh hooo hooo!!... 😬 😬Abbey Road Time-Machine *eek* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rj Posted March 21, 2007 Share Posted March 21, 2007 If the belt is 9 years old... I'd change it no doubt! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan and Daisy Posted March 21, 2007 Share Posted March 21, 2007 Iagree the age does it so change it 😶🌫️ Mature enthusiast Black with Silver stripe 1.8K super sport. Missing my seven. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shn7 Posted March 21, 2007 Share Posted March 21, 2007 I'd change it based upon the age alone. The cost of the change is small compared to the cost if it breaks ☹️. Steve. West Sussex AO Not forgetting Percy the Polar Bear Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stationary M25 Traveller Posted March 21, 2007 Share Posted March 21, 2007 Perhaps the mighty experience of the assembled masses can add some useful info to us newbies ..... Has anyone had a belt break - if so - what engine / what mileage / what age ? Do any of the engines used in the 7 escape valves hitting pistons when the belt goes ? ****************** And you run and you run to catch up with the sun, but it's sinking... And racing around to come up behind you again. photos Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Lynch Posted March 21, 2007 Share Posted March 21, 2007 ptpt Change it if that old, also consider Dave Andrews in Milton Keynes (Oilyhands on here) especially if looking at fitting Verniers. He'll also be able to cast an eye over engine as a whole. (That's my plan in coming months for both my installed 18500 mile 1.4K SS and a 1.6 that I have in pieces). You're looking at just over £300 all done if you can resist spending on other upgrades 😬 Looks like my cambelt was done at about 5,500 miles/8years as car refreshed. I've done 12,000 miles in last two years and will change again at end of year/25,000 miles if 1.6 not ready (1.8 by the time I'm done). Cheers, David Edited by - David Lynch on 21 Mar 2007 08:41:36 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prs Posted March 21, 2007 Share Posted March 21, 2007 I would change the belt every 4 yrs regardless of the mileage done. If the car is left standing then they can begin to perish. At £35ish for a belt its far cheaper than bent valves............. Phil S7SVN Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
millsn Posted March 21, 2007 Share Posted March 21, 2007 Just ask yourself the implication if you don't Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unclefester Posted March 21, 2007 Share Posted March 21, 2007 Sorry, didn't notice the age issue! If its been sat in the same position for 9 years then yes, I'd change it to be on the safe side. Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds..ooooh hooo hooo!!... 😬 😬Abbey Road Time-Machine *eek* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ptpt Posted March 21, 2007 Author Share Posted March 21, 2007 Well, that's quite a definitive 'Yes' - thanks chaps! 😬 I've heard about DVA Power before, but they aren't exactly local for me. Would it be worth the added hassle of getting over there, leaving the car for a bit longer and making do with public transport 😳 or can anyone recommend capable specialists in South London/Kent/East Sussex? Cheers, Phillip White 1.4SS, 6sp, LSD and now no tyres left... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rj Posted March 21, 2007 Share Posted March 21, 2007 Ehrm... How about Caterham Cars in Dartford? (Stands back for slapping) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisddl Posted March 21, 2007 Share Posted March 21, 2007 It's recommended that the belt is changed before its 5th birthday. ChrisdL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shn7 Posted March 21, 2007 Share Posted March 21, 2007 Don't think CC will do verniers. DVA will probably do it all while you wait if you speak to him. He'll also show you exactly what he's doing and explain why. Top man. Steve. West Sussex AO Not forgetting Percy the Polar Bear Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rj Posted March 21, 2007 Share Posted March 21, 2007 As CC sell verniers I suppose they fit them On display at the parts counter there has for quite a while been a gold set with Caterham engraved... And I think they were std fitted to the R500's Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MartinWoodham Posted March 21, 2007 Share Posted March 21, 2007 Hyperion mainly prepare race cars I think, certainly that's where their reputation comes from. Lots of winning racers use them. Martin Aero'd supersported ex-Roadsports B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ptpt Posted March 21, 2007 Author Share Posted March 21, 2007 Despite being new on here, I couldn’t help but notice a few sore subjects more often than not relating to CC parts prices, the premium prices of the pre-owned cars and part exchange offers members have received. Getting the car sorted in Dartford would be prefect, but I assume I’ll pay a significant premium over any independent…..am I wrong to assume this?! I must admit DVA sounds like my sort of outfit! I think I give David a call to see how busy he is at the moment. Phillip White 1.4SS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlesElliott Posted March 21, 2007 Share Posted March 21, 2007 I think that is a total myth that you will pay significantly over the odds for work done at Caterham. However, they are a dealer and therefore limit what they will do to 'dealer approved' modifications. Fitting verniers, for example, isn't something that they do. DVA is your man for this sort of thing. Charles --- My SuperGraduates 2006 diary My SuperGraduates 2005 diary, My Caterham Academy 2004 build and race diary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pelico Posted March 21, 2007 Share Posted March 21, 2007 Phillip, I have always had first class service from Caterham parts and from the work they did rebuilding my car. You will certainly find lots of positive posts about Darren and the team in parts. DVA is first class too, and well worth a visit. What you will read on here is that Caterham a reticent to resell or take as part-ex a non Caterham modified car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rj Posted March 21, 2007 Share Posted March 21, 2007 I honestly doubt you'll find K-series parts any cheaper than at CC! They may well charge slightly more to fit though. If I go to my local Rover dealer here in Denmark a cambelt will be 95£ + 25% VAT, ISTR it's less than a quarter of that amount at CC... /r Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stationary M25 Traveller Posted March 21, 2007 Share Posted March 21, 2007 What's the general opinion about changing the cam belt on a K-series. Simple DIY job, Caterham maintainer or any trusted mechanic (as it is the same as Rover cars - only far more accessible) ? ****************** And you run and you run to catch up with the sun, but it's sinking... And racing around to come up behind you again. photos Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rj Posted March 21, 2007 Share Posted March 21, 2007 If you've got the tools it's a simple DIY job for the non-numpty home mechanic. If you are to fit verniers it gets slightly more complicated, but yet not impossible. Be careful, then it'll work... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davef Posted March 21, 2007 Share Posted March 21, 2007 DVA will probably do it all while you wait if you speak to him. He'll also show you exactly what he's doing and explain why. Top man. Dave did mine whilst I waited - new belt, verniers and tensioner. He explained exactly what he was doing, and also showed me around some of the other projects going on in his workshop. Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tigger Posted March 21, 2007 Share Posted March 21, 2007 You may find this interesting. A nice video of a K-series cam belt change and instruction how to time verniers. http://www.mgf.ultimatemg.com/group2/engines/index.htm Where abouts in London are you....? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lotus Boy Posted March 21, 2007 Share Posted March 21, 2007 ptpt - are you the guy I spotted in Halstead? I started using Hyperion last year, car is going in next month for service (and maybe a flat floor set up) but be warned, they are very busy at the moment with race car preps. That said, over the last year they have been pushing the 'road' customer services and are offering more services to non race customers. They had an open day last spring for this very purpose and was suitably impressed by what they can offer. Really nice bunch of people, very knowledgeable and I know my car is in safe hands. If you mention you are a club member you may be able to get some discount too. Must stress that although I am local to them I have no connection with them - just want to pass on the good word. Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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