Cam Belt Shelf Life Time

[wicked 105 3 Cars]

I found a Mi16 cam belt on a shelf that's been there for a about 5 years.

It's an original one from the dealer and the packing is still unopened.

 

Is it still usable or do I better bin it?

[matty_gti 20]

Use it. No point getting a new one when it hasn't been used.

[dcc 855]

Bin it. Rubber perishes over time. Personally id prefer the £13 for a new belt than £230 for a rebuild.

[daneldridge23 15]

Bin it. Rubber perishes over time. Personally id prefer the £13 for a new belt than £230 for a rebuild.

 

agree

[feb 47]

When they say e.g. 5 years/50.000 miles whichever comes first I assume it is the elements/heat cycles and the fact that the belt is stretched that "wear" out a belt.

When it has been sitting in an unopened packaging not exposed to the sun I don't think it would deteriorate.

Saying this I don't know what I would do for peace of mind but when you buy or order stock from peugeot or any motorfactors do you really know how long it has been sitting on the shelf?

It's the same story, we are just not aware of it.

[daneldridge23 15]

was it new 5 years ago or was it there well before that, i know what i would do mate like feb says, peace of mind

[wicked 105 3 Cars]

I bought it new 5 or 6 years ago at the local pug dealer...

For peace of mind, I got a new one.

 

Tbh, I never heard of a snapped mi16 belt, so it is probably only for peace of mind....

[woodsy 0]

I would bin it too mate, price of new one its not worth the risk.I remember many many years ago a garage by me fitted a timing belt to a Porsche 928 that had been on shelf for few years. Guess what, it snapped shortly after and they had to fix it all. LOL.

[BERTMAN 40 1 Cars]

I imagine it would have been fine, the only degradation it would have succumb to would have been from UV light, however as its been dry stored for 5 years im guessing it was not subjected to UV, stored in a draw?

[Miles 331 1 Cars]

How do you know how long the new belts been around, might have been on the factor's shelf for years

[wicked 105 3 Cars]

It lived in a box, hidden from my sight... That's why it could escape from service for 5 years...