Timing Gears

[boz]

Has anyone known of, or had a timing gear failure?
I am just about to carry out a coolant and oil change and was wondering if it was worth changing the timing gear to one of the Alloy one's that are available.

I've read a few stories about the old fibre / nylon ones failing, personally I have never had an issue and I've owned a few 3.0's over the years.
Would be keen to hear about anyone's experiences with the alloy ones / steel ones as well and where you got them from as there are a few places that offer them.

[rscapriman]

Hi Phil, yes it is not unheard of far worse in the old Zephyr/Zodiac as they used complete fibre timing gears where as Capri used a cast gear with nylon teeth. Still an issue though they were at there weskest on a frosty cold morning when giving it a boot full. As with you i have run 3000 Capri"s for many years and have never had an issue but i have replaced one simply because i bought it with a lot of miles on it and it was more of a precaution back then i used a standard gear. Then i used a steel gear when i built my RS3100 i have also just replaced the one in my current RS2600 project but with a standard gear. Interestingly the aluminium matched gears are the cheapest. RScapriman

[vernon240]

Hi Phil, I've never had one fail, but my dad did in his 2.8i granada, 1977 vintage. Right after start up, the whole ring of nylon gears just broke off, fell into the sump. Luckily not too much engine damage, but needed a total strip to sort. I can't remember exactly what the damage was, but the engine had to come out. I've tried the steel gears...some people have said they are noisy, but my was fine. Sold that engine from the Mk2 before I went all V8 on that. The one in my RS3100 is the alloy gear from car clinic/essexengines.com which seems fine, fitted well etc and doesn't seem noisy.

[boz]

Thanks guys. I think I will buy Steph some flowers before I tell her I have spent another few hundred quid on a car that covers less than 500 miles a year.
It seems like a good time to change as I can take the rad out in between the coolant change. I will get my mate to help as I am very nervous when it comes to timing gears and cam belts on cars! He's got to do the cam belts and balance shaft belts on the Porsche 944 soon as well but I wont offer that information to Steph at this stage.

[vernon240]

I think you need to do a few more miles. Look at me....I've done err 0 miles in the last few years! hope to change that when the old girl is back on the road.

Timing gears are fine. Line the dots up if you are running a standard cam, OR mirror what was there if you are running a non standard cam and the timing may be different. I'm running a non standard cam, so my timing marks are off compared to a standard cam. Belts on a 944? a timing gear on the RS is the lest of your worries! Lets just hope restaurants are open by then!

[boz]

True that Vernon, but after being relieved of £800 - £1000 for cambelt and water pump on the 944 I think the best she will get is a Gregs steak bake.