Technical Timing belt change??

[Deep Trout]

I've acquired a 2017 motorhome that's been dry stored for 7 years and has now done 1300 miles. Do I need to change the timing belt as its over 5 years but there's been no wear?

 

[Communicator]

Hi.
Welcome to the forum. I hope that you will engage with the forum and atlest report your decision on this matter.

I have typically change cambelts on my low mileage 2006 2.8jtd every six years. Just recently changed myself for second time.

Belt life is a mixture of usage and age, The other components such as water pump, and belt rollers are more use related, as low mileage equals little wear. I may be wrong but I think that when belt drives for camshafts first became popular, car makers only quoted lifetimes in mileages which were typically 50K and upwards. I do not think that time became a limiting factor until later, however member @bugsymike may have a different memory, to which I would defer.

Considering that a failure would wreck the engine, I would go for an initial change, and then reconsider.

 

[NeilDD]

Having just done this on my 2019 camper, I would sugest changing all belts for peaces of mind.
If doing it yourself then it can comfortably be done over a weekend, and if you have air-con I can supply the gates part numbers required

Neil

 

[Communicator]

I've acquired a 2017 motorhome that's been dry stored for 7 years and has now done 1300 miles. Do I need to change the timing belt as its over 5 years but there's been no wear?

Can I tell you a story relating to shelf life? A large company that I worked for had to change some very large "O" rings as parted of an expensive planned maintenance. The replacement rings were drawn from stores. On pressure testing the new "O" rings leaked. It evolved that the rings had been purchased at the same time as the plant, and held as spares. The shelf life had been exceeded, and further replacement was needed.

 

[bugsymike]

Sorry my books only go up to 2012 , but does advise 112,000 or 5 years and 4 years in adverse conditions, also must change tensioners etc.
In all cases change at which ever is earliest.
It makes good sense to change water pump where applicable as the cost of failure of any of these items doesn't bear thinking of