Hit or Miss

[Nogoingback]

Been surfin tinternet again and on the Mx5 forum they say that the 1600 engine will not be damaged if the cam belt breaks is this unusual.

[zxr400]

A few engines ar safe ,some rover k ,ford pinto 2000,most new cars ar not cam belt safe ,so lucky old you

[Ben_Copeland]

Lucky boy but still not a good idea to let it brake!!!

[zxr400]

Lucky boy but still not a good idea to let it brake!!!

and you say i can't spell, dear dear the youth of today

[Contaminated]

Entirely depends on whether it's an interference or non-interference engine (i.e. whether the valves and pistons come together if the timing is out all of a sudden). The standard Pinto for example is non-interference, the zetec is interference (as was the CVH - I know from experience!).

If it's the Mazda 1.6 DOHC then most people will tell you it is non-interference (so is the 1.8). Mazda might say otherwise to cover themselves and increase cambelt sales - but 9 times out of 10 you'll do no damage.

[Tony B]

Still best to change it though, not something we can replace easy on a road trip, even with Robs mobile tool kit

[Nogoingback]

Well actually it is you cut the belt in half longways and remove half then you slide the new belt on and cut the other half off simples. As long as it ain't broke.

[Tony B]

ahh ha, looking forward to doing that !!

[Nogoingback]

Will buy new belt for our trips.