If the timing belt breaks, does it cause major damage?

sticky nicky · Postby **sticky nicky** » Thu Sep 09, 2010 11:31 am

Hi,
Ive just bought my first MX5 (1993) and loving it. I have no idea when the timing belt was last changed and with 218,000km on the clock I guess it should be done. If happens to break before I get the money together could it do major damage to the engine or will it just stop working (yes I am a girl and not mechanically minded at all!) While I am on here can anyone help with a soft ticking noise in the engine that isnt there when first started but happens quite frequently when the engine warms up, more so when the throttle is used. Cheers :-)

93_Clubman · Postby **93_Clubman** » Thu Sep 09, 2010 11:41 am

The B6 (1.6) & BP (1.8 ) motors are non-interference motors so no damage from just the timing belt breaking. The belt needs to be replaced every 100k kms. The ticking might be the hydraulic lifter adjusters (HLA), which might quiten down with an oil change to a different oil or use of nulon lifter additive.

jerrah · Postby **jerrah** » Thu Sep 09, 2010 2:08 pm

Where are you located?

If the car was correctly service it will have had a timing belt fitted around the 200,000km mark.

sticky nicky · Postby **sticky nicky** » Thu Sep 09, 2010 4:59 pm

Thanks for your help, Im located in Perth.

Mr Morlock · Postby **Mr Morlock** » Thu Sep 09, 2010 6:31 pm

Damage might not be an issue but the car is rendered dead if the belt fails and will end up on a flat bed. If there is no service record you might have to either replace it or at the very least have it checked- an expert maybe able to tell if the belt is new or belt cracking may be visible. It will cost at least $500 to get it down. Many people never replace belts and only think of belts to hold up clothes so no guarantee that the belt has ever been replaced apart from an invoice or specific service notation.