Using genuine Nissan parts is simple they are the best and often only cost a small amount more than non genuine parts. However I can see why it can seem a cost saving to use spurious brands as in most cases they look exactly the same and without any back to back details its hard to make an informed decision one such area is cambelts.

 

So with this in mind a non genuine belt was purchased and compared with a genuine Nissan belt the following photos shows the order of things as and as the finally show there is a big, big difference and I think some of you guys are going to be surprised.

 

Picture one the start on the left we have a BLUEPRINT belt and on the right a Nissan belt.

 

 

 

We start by lining up the first set of timing marks, the Nissan belt is on the bottom

 

 

 

Moving along to the next timing marks holding the belts in place the next two timing mark are already not the same on the non Nissan belt, they two mark are showing shortness of timing

 

 

Moving along to the next timing mark holding the belts in place the marks line up

 

 

Moving along to the next timing mark holding the belts in place the mark fails to line up again and show shortness of timing.

 

 

 

Moving along to the next timing mark holding the belts in place the marks line up

 

 

 

Moving along to the next timing mark holding the belts in place the mark fails to line up again but this time show extension of timing

 

 

 

Here we have the two belts side by side with the Nissan belt on the left, the materials are very different, the non Nissan belt is less firm

 

 

 

Here we have the two belts side by side with the Nissan belt on the bottom, look to the belt edge and you can clearly see a red reinforcement line in the genuine belt and non in the non genuine belt.

 

Also look carefully at the actual teeth shape in the valleys and peaks the non Nissan belt is very different, in fact when wrapped around a cam sprocket the fit is compromised.

 

 

 

As we can clearly see the two belts are not the same, the non genuine belt has compromises that will give poor cam timing, poor ignition timing, poor cam sprocket location, and more worringly the 60k change interval cannot be considered applicable as it can to a Nissan one as the belt strength does not match the Nissan one in material quality or fit.

 

Another concern is how many zeds are running on these belts with compromised valve and ignition timing as even if they are set reasonably well when first fitted they are going to stretch quickly and even more compromise creeps in, this I firmly believe is the route cause to why some zeds seem to not perform as well as an identical one.

 

Hope that clears up the if, buts and maybe`s on cambelts at least.

 

Jeff TT

Edited September 7, 200916 yr by JeffTT

Well Dannzx the Gates belt is better than the Blue print by a long way and in all fairness have not done the same back to back comparison with the Nissan one and Gates have a long good reputation.

 

But if working to service mileages its difficult to know what they are likely to be with an non genuine belt as only the car manuafacturer reccomends individial model change intervals, will the gates one last as long as a Nissan one?? will it be good in normal service? probably...belt savings not really worth it.

 

Jeff TT

 

thanks for info, gone for genuine nissan belts.

 

dan.:tongue_smilie:

The amount of difference between the markers on the belt would not lead to the timing being out. The 'step' difference on the sprockets is quite large and you would have to be a plank to get it wrong.

 

:) Haha, I agree really, i always do it the old fashioned way, i guess i don't trust the marks on the belts, regardless of car or manufacturer of the belt, but maybe that's because i was taught by my dad, maybe a bit old school, but it's always worked for me! But a very important subject/problem explained in detail to us all by jeff, nice one pal, keep them coming!

Aaaaahhhhh :censored: :censored: My subscription has run out, bad times being snowed off too! Who would've thought a musician could be snowed off, raid the piggy bank time me thinks!

excellent jeoff,:thumbup:just a quick note is jamie o.k, i,ve just noticed the black marks on his hands ,i take it he must of fell over :tt2::::tt2:

whats the thoughts on GATES TIMING BELT?

 

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/GATES-TIMING-BELT-Nissan-300zx-twin-turbo-3-0-24v_W0QQitemZ290136442085QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM?hash=item438d7ac4e5

 

dan.:tongue_smilie:

 

As stated earlier Dan, Nissan do not make belts, and Gates is a reknown manufacturer of quality belts, their reputation is of worldwide quality, they do not only manufacture belts but a host of other items mainly dealing with hydraulics, i.e. seals, valves, solenoids, pumps etc., I have been familiar with their products for over 20 years in the Aerospace, Military, Naval and manufacturing engineering, and they always provide quality alternatives to OEM parts, in fact a lot of OEM parts are of Gates manufacture.

excellent jeoff,:thumbup:just a quick note is jamie o.k, i,ve just noticed the black marks on his hands ,i take it he must of fell over :tt2::::tt2:

 

:lol:

 

No matey, he picked up a dirty rag when he was lying down having a rest from walking to the workshop from his car.

 

Jeff

Well in theory yes but only if a provable manufacturing fault was evident with the belt and the belt had been changed in accordance with any set schedule ie all belt pulleys, adjuster etc, etc.

 

In fact, one of the cambelt suppliers ( can not remember the name at the moment) who advertise to the trade offer this very warranty to garages, where if you buy their belts and do everything correctly they will pay for any engine damage if it occurs due to a faulty belt failing.

 

Jeff

 

Dayco belt kits, they supply a lot of oe stuff, i sell them at my work

hi jeff are the gates belts okay , ive fitted a gates belt are the timing marks different on this belt , are they good quality

....Car makers cannot possibly make every item fitted to their vehicles because of the specialist techniques and testing, which would be costly, i.e., most manufacturers, if not all get their headlights made by existing companies in this field who spend possibly millions developing lighting technology..

 

 

lol our crappy stock lights were the result of millions of pounds of r&d???!!!..:laugh:

must have been a hard sell as even lambo bought them for the diablo...i imagine in the owners handbook its says dont drive after dark :lol:

hi jeff are the gates belts okay , ive fitted a gates belt are the timing marks different on this belt , are they good quality

 

Gates belts are ok so do not worry, it is my view from experience that the genuine ones that are made to Nissan`s spec including the 60k service interval offer the best fit and value.

 

The Blue Print one was tested back to back ( literally) with a genuine Nissan belt and the BP one just did not compare favourably in feel, look and teeth count between timing marks.

 

Cheers

 

Jeff

ADL belts match the manufactures quality and life span.

They garantee it.

I have never had any problems with any ADL belt ever and iv done a few in the 25 years been doing z's.

Alhough only seen ADL belts since 1991.never seen one failed or causing problems. its a matter of choice from the customer and cost of corse.

d

:)

PS FOR SALE ONE NON GENUINE TIMING BELT...GOING CHEAP...ANYONE?

NO WARRANY :rofl:

 

is this still up for sale and if i cut it, to shorten it and staple it back together do you think it will fit a GTR:cool3:

good read and IMO you should never put shite parts on you car, cause if it does go it will cost more than the £20 you saved