Going to start this thread for members to post up what they did each day to there zed. I will start with getting my MOT this morning. So what did you do today on your 300?:cool3:

Spent most of the weekend clearing out junk from the garage via tip runs... and finally got the zed in the garage :) very happy to get her tucked away from the elements.

 

Would love to have this:thumbup1:

Next house I get or build will definitely have a garage or shed where I can park up out of the weather.

So i took the radiator out today... only after that and after buying a new timing belt from USA did i see the sticker on the covers that read it was done 5 years 10k km ago...

 

So i guess that i will be selling the brand new timing belt now as it is not worth it to open everything up and put a new one in.

So i took the radiator out today... only after that and after buying a new timing belt from USA did i see the sticker on the covers that read it was done 5 years 10k km ago...

 

So i guess that i will be selling the brand new timing belt now as it is not worth it to open everything up and put a new one in.

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Timing belts should be replaced every 5 years Ali, regardless of mileage, take it from me I know, that's how I stripped teeth off mine!!

So i took the radiator out today... only after that and after buying a new timing belt from USA did i see the sticker on the covers that read it was done 5 years 10k km ago...

 

So i guess that i will be selling the brand new timing belt now as it is not worth it to open everything up and put a new one in.

 

Timing belts should be replaced every 5 years Ali, regardless of mileage, take it from me I know, that's how I stripped teeth off mine!!

 

"Timing belt recommended replacement intervals vary from 60,000 to 106,000 miles" The condition of the accessory belts look good and the internet says i still have another 50k miles to go before changing it again.

 

Does everyone disagree with me or only Richie?

"Timing belt recommended replacement intervals vary from 60,000 to 106,000 miles" The condition of the accessory belts look good and the internet says i still have another 50k miles to go before changing it again.

 

Does everyone disagree with me or only Richie?

 

That's guidance for a car driven regularly. If it's been laid up then the belts deteriorate with age as well. I had my timing belt on my 407 estate strip teeth 20k before its stated interval because it was laid up for 8 months.

Sorry Ali, I thought that the belt deteriorates over time regardless of mileage and that's how my timing belt stripped it's teeth, my car only had 40k miles but the belt was probably over 5 years old:thumbup1:

Sorry Ali, I thought that the belt deteriorates over time regardless of mileage and that's how my timing belt stripped it's teeth, my car only had 40k miles but the belt was probably over 5 years old:thumbup1:

 

They do Rich, just not as soon as 5 years IMO, but prob coz yours was just sitting so it deteriorated in the same place.

They do Rich, just not as soon as 5 years IMO, but prob coz yours was just sitting so it deteriorated in the same place.

 

Mine had been driving in this country for 2 years before I bought it and it was my regular driver for 2 months when the timing belt went, you obviously know best though, I was just trying to offer my advice and opinion, but I won't be from now on, you do what you want:thumbup1:

That's guidance for a car driven regularly. If it's been laid up then the belts deteriorate with age as well. I had my timing belt on my 407 estate strip teeth 20k before its stated interval because it was laid up for 8 months.

 

I know you cant tell me how much sitting is too long, but how soon after you ran your 407 did the teeth strip, and you also Rich. 'I' have driven a solid 100 miles and ever since I've had it its been run about once a week.

Mine had been driving in this country for 2 years before I bought it and it was my regular driver for 2 months when the timing belt went, you obviously know best though, I was just trying to offer my advice and opinion, but I won't be from now on, you do what you want:thumbup1:

 

Haha, of course i dont, Im trying to get other people's opinions and trying to guide it towards not doing it as I don't think its worth the effort :)

I know you cant tell me how much sitting is too long, but how soon after you ran your 407 did the teeth strip, and you also Rich. 'I' have driven a solid 100 miles and ever since I've had it its been run about once a week.

 

It failed on 1st start after being stood. It's really not worth the risk if it fails and trashes your engine you won't be a happy bunny. If the tensioner and idlers are good you can get away with just the belt and at less than £50 for an oem belt is it really worth the risk. Belive me the answer is no.

Edited January 10, 201610 yr by Iangreenfield

It failed on 1st start after being stood. It's really not worth the risk if it fails and trashes your engine you won't be a happy bunny. If the tensioner and idlers are good you can get away with just the belt and at less than £50 for an oem belt is it really worth the risk. Belive me the answer is no.

 

I understand the importance of the timing belt, I already have a Timing belt but i just wanted opinions from more people whether it is worth replacing. Obviously everyone is going to say "yes just in case" but as it has been sat in a garage and gone 10k Kms i want more people's actual verdict because there is a likely hood that i will break something and i don't know if its a couple days work with taking the starter out to lock the crank shaft etc...

 

FYI my Dad doesn't think that it is worth replacing and also i have full time education so i only really have Sunday evenings to do things.

Edited January 10, 201610 yr by Alic

I understand the importance of the timing belt, I already have a Timing belt but i just wanted opinions from more people whether it is worth replacing. Obviously everyone is going to say "yes just in case" but as it has been sat in a garage and gone 10k Kms i want more people's actual verdict because there is a likely hood that i will break something and i don't know if its a couple days work with taking the starter out to lock the crank shaft etc...

 

FYI my Dad doesn't think that it is worth replacing and also i have full time education so i only really have Sunday evenings to do things.

 

Newbie, you're super-fast to dole out the advice and answers to all and sundry on here. You can only imagine how amusing it is that, when being offered sound advice by people who are infinitely more knowledgeable about these cars than you are, you're actually stating that they're wrong! :lol:

 

You're learning about Zeds at the moment. You don't know everything about them, not by a looooooong way! So, when people with years of experience offer you some totally sound advice, why not just accept that they might have a good idea of what they're talking about...?!

 

If your timing belt is 5 years old, then change it. If you don't want to do that and you're happy to take the risk, please don't post any bleeding-heart posts if it does let go and destroys your engine. :thumbup1:

 

[/rantover]

Newbie, you're super-fast to dole out the advice and answers to all and sundry on here. You can only imagine how amusing it is that, when being offered sound advice by people who are infinitely more knowledgeable about these cars than you are, you're actually stating that they're wrong! :lol:[/rantover]

 

Really don't want to make enemies here obviously and i haven't actually said anyone is wrong directly from what I perceive.

 

Sorry Ali, I thought that the belt deteriorates over time regardless of mileage and that's how my timing belt stripped it's teeth

To which i reply it does deteriorate with time as well, i just wouldn't associate 5 years corresponding to 55k miles.

 

It was his opinion that it should be replaced after 5 years as that's how long it took his one to go. I asked how quickly it took them to break as I've put some miles on it.

 

 

It is perfectly reasonable to search for advise from a range of people for a topic such as this and I just hope they don't take it personally when I discount their opinions if it doesn't convince me that it does need changing.

To which i reply it does deteriorate with time as well, i just wouldn't associate 5 years corresponding to 55k miles.

 

It was his opinion that it should be replaced after 5 years as that's how long it took his one to go. I asked how quickly it took them to break as I've put some miles on it.

 

 

It is perfectly reasonable to search for advise from a range of people for a topic such as this and I just hope they don't take it personally when I discount their opinions if it doesn't convince me that it does need changing.

 

*sigh*

 

As a rule of thumb (and I'm sure our many resident mechanics will vouch for this as well), the timing belt should be replaced after 55k/60k miles OR 5 years. The belt will deteriorate whether the car is used or not and, as the VG30 is an interference engine, most normal people would decide that it's far better to be safe than sorry.

 

You're discounting the advice of people who know far more about these cars than you do, which is a foolish thing to do in my opinion. If you, with your 16 years on earth and a few months of "experience" owning a Z32, don't think it's worth replacing the belt after 5 years then don't replace it. But, as I said, please don't whinge if it lets go and takes your engine with it.

Mondo has a fair point, whats the point in spending that money on a belt if your not going to fit it,have you removed the covers to check the conditionof the belt? by what your saying alic i guess not .but honestly i would recommend getting it fitted for own piece of mind

Most normal people would decide that it's far better to be safe than sorry.

 

Ok guys, thanks for your help. It is a very valid point but i really wanted to put it off as I don't want to run the risk of putting things together wrong etc etc.

As i have the belt now it would only make sense to invest many more weekends to fit it.

As i have the belt now it would only make sense to invest many more weekends to fit it.

 

Much the better course of action and I look forward to your "What did you do to your zed today?" post to say

that you have carried out the cambelt change.

There will be plenty of how guides should be one on here I'm sure a little digging or some kind soul will post it for you. Just take your time and follow the steps carefully and triple check everything. If you know someone with mechanical knowledge ask them for help. It's not a difficult job to do if you take your time a couple of evenings or a weekend should see it done easily.

You could even put a call for help out to members near you we are usually happy to help one another believe it or not.

I have found them Ian, its just the job that is daunting me as there are so many little things I have to remember and I just 'scared' of screwing up.

 

Thanks for everyone's advise anyway, I know I was very dismissive but I'm sure you can understand why.

I have found them Ian, its just the job that is daunting me as there are so many little things I have to remember and I just 'scared' of screwing up.

 

Thanks for everyone's advise anyway, I know I was very dismissive but I'm sure you can understand why.

 

If you are scared of doing the job then send it to one of the trusted trader/mechanics on here or a garage near you whether be a nissan or independent garage, problem sorted.

A little blunt I know but it's meant in a positive way. Trust me alic a full time education will give you far more free time than that you will have in later life. Most of us will be doing twice the hours at work done in education, then there's the house, the wife, the dog, for most the kids. Time becomes a slippery ****er. It sounds to me like your want people to validate your view. Ie if enough people say not doing it's ok you will be content. Because your not really confident to do the job yourself.

As you likely know, rubber is an organic compound that rots. Hiding behind those covers it should last pretty well. Should. However, if you have a leaky can seal, or coolant pipe etc and that has contaminated that belt it's not going to last so long. The last engine I fitted had recently had its belt done. The idler pulley however was shot. I replaced both.

Driving around on it without even checking the belts and pulleys etc over is crazy.

I understand your nerves, it's a daunting thing esp on this car. It is in fact not such a bad job. If your not comfortable, then get it done professionally when you can afford it and minimise running it till then and accept its possible.

If you do feel competent though read the guides discover it's not that bad and spend an afternoon or 10 what does it matter really doing it right. It's not like you've got to drive that car to work on Monday. Put it this way, if it's a genuine belt, it's marked, the pulleys are marked and the back plate it's marked. It's a game of match the dots. That you can't check by counting teeth and by turning over by hand. Is it scary, yeah, buts it not bad. I estimate it will likely take you about 10 hours of labour. It can be done faster but that accounting for thinking and googling and cups of tea.

Good luck. Despite the friction I'm sure if you ask honest questions you will get honest advice.

A little blunt I know but it's meant in a positive way. Trust me alic a full time education will give you far more free time than that you will have in later life. Most of us will be doing twice the hours at work done in education, then there's the house, the wife, the dog, for most the kids. Time becomes a slippery ****er. It sounds to me like your want people to validate your view. Ie if enough people say not doing it's ok you will be content. Because your not really confident to do the job yourself.

As you likely know, rubber is an organic compound that rots. Hiding behind those covers it should last pretty well. Should. However, if you have a leaky can seal, or coolant pipe etc and that has contaminated that belt it's not going to last so long. The last engine I fitted had recently had its belt done. The idler pulley however was shot. I replaced both.

Driving around on it without even checking the belts and pulleys etc over is crazy.

I understand your nerves, it's a daunting thing esp on this car. It is in fact not such a bad job. If your not comfortable, then get it done professionally when you can afford it and minimise running it till then and accept its possible.

If you do feel competent though read the guides discover it's not that bad and spend an afternoon or 10 what does it matter really doing it right. It's not like you've got to drive that car to work on Monday. Put it this way, if it's a genuine belt, it's marked, the pulleys are marked and the back plate it's marked. It's a game of match the dots. That you can't check by counting teeth and by turning over by hand. Is it scary, yeah, buts it not bad. I estimate it will likely take you about 10 hours of labour. It can be done faster but that accounting for thinking and googling and cups of tea.

Good luck. Despite the friction I'm sure if you ask honest questions you will get honest advice.

Thanks Stephan

I've been working on engines most of my adult life and part of my youth due to being a motorcycle fanatic as a kid. I've been a part of this forum for a relatively short time compared to most but, although I'm fairly experienced with most engines, the 300 has a very complex engine and electrical system.

I sit here reading these posts from you guys and the experience I've had from a lot of Z owners is that experience and knowledge are your best friend here.

Theres a few guys on here that are very OEM about the Z and a few that are serious petrol heads in to tuning etc. It's a great mix of experienced guys and girls that over the years have learned that the Internet and the workshop manual do not always know best!

IMO Ali, you seem to have the same view as I did at your age, that being the view that you know a lot about this car from your reading of Internet and manuals. I hope you take this the right way my friend but your knowledge and skills with these vehicles would get lost in the sea of expert experience found on this forum.

Please swallow your pride and take the advice from these guys, they will help you to keep your pride and joy at its peak.

I've owned a whole bunch of high powered big engined cars and worked on them myself over the years but this car is a little different in a lot of ways.

Sometimes you need to put what you think you know to one side and listen to the voice of experience. Otherwise you may end up learning the hard way as I have on occasion and the hard way usually smashes your wallet or takes the opportunity of keeping your pride and joy away.

It costs nothing to listen, it costs nothing to make an educated decision. The members here are offering you the specialist education of experience. That is a priceless offering..

Being young and wanting to show youre clever is perfectly acceptable, but being dumb and closing your mind to a depth of experience which will make your life easier is just plain ignorance.

I'm not putting you down Ali, just pointing out the fact that you seem to be ignoring experience and listening to the Internet, which is only going to send your pistons through your valves and put your car in a breakers mate..

 

Learn to trust the guys at the forum. If they don't know the answer to your questions they will tell you that. If they have advice for you, listen to it because you'll find that in 99% of cases. They'll be right!

 

Please don't take offence to this, I'm just trying to steer you in the right direction to make and keep the friends here. I wish someone had told me when I was your age, I might have spent less time under the car and more time driving it!

Ali, if you're nervous about changing the timing belt, take it somewhere and get it done. Attempting to do it yourself is a great learning curve but if you ain't feeling confident, it's cheaper to get it done and your engine isn't gonna go bang if it's done by a professional.

Ask yourself the question, can I afford to replace the top half of the engine? If the answer is no, then go pay someone to do it. Better safe than sorry mate.

I have experience but ill be giving the experts the job of my cam belt.. If it goes bang then, I can give them the pleasure of replacing the engine! Lol