1st Aug 2005, 20:42
The timing belt compartment IS impenetrable and covered. The only reason that I can think of for the aircond/alternator belt to have caused a timing belt failure is that the cover for the timing belt was either replaced incorrectly or not replaced at all.
I own two ZXes in Malaysia and I have, on two occasions, had the alternator belting spliced due to a loose alternator bolt which was not fitted back correctly. It never affected the timing belt at all. I blame the mechanic who fitted it and not the car.
And you can't blame a car for having easily bent valves due to a broken/jammed timing belt. Any car that has a broken/jammed timing belt will have bent valves (depending on circumstances)
26th Nov 2008, 08:53
"The timing belt compartment IS impenetrable and covered. The only reason that I can think of for the aircond/alternator belt to have caused a timing belt failure is that the cover for the timing belt was either replaced incorrectly or not replaced at all."
And so where exactly does the auxiliary belt get its drive from? Every engine I've worked on is driven from the crankshaft... where the timing belt also runs.
Aux belt wiping out the cam belt is a common fault on French cars.
17th Jun 2005, 01:52
What the writer told is that the air-cond/alternator/power steering belt that turn to string and pieces. The timing belt do not deteriorate. But the pieces from the air-cond belt entangled get into the way of the timing belt. That causes it to run afoul and causes the cylinder head valve to bent/disfigure. I have heard this kind of occurence before too. This can happen to any owner. Bear in mind that the air cond belt is very thin and slight misalignment of the pulleys can run causing the belt to be eaten away.
Improvement can be made by making the timing belt compartment impenetrable from foreign materials. The pulley and grooves could be made more reliable and should allow a thicker belt.