To go or not to go - that is the question.

[DiscoMick]

Ok folks, like a bit of hard-headed advice here.
We need to decide by tomorrow afternoon whether to cancel our Simpson Desert trip with Drive 4 Life, which would be a big disappointment. We are supposed to hit the road tomorrow night in time to be in Alice by Monday.
But there's a problem - the Disco is in the workshop. Here's a summary of what happened.
Long story short is the Disco went in for quite a lot of work, including a new timing belt, which seemed a sensible precaution as it was nearing replacement time anyway. So, new belt fitted, we had it back to 2 weeks, all apparently running fine, untill the Sunday before last when it stopped on the M1 at the Gold Coast.
Had it trucked back and the timing belt was shredded into a pile of rubber and wire. Inspection revealed broken rockers and bent pushrods, but the bottom of the engine turned and appeared OK. The business which did the timing belt agreed to fix it under warranty and had hoped to have it ready by this Tuesday. On Tuesday that was pushed back to today. Today they say there is no obvious reason why the timing belt shredded but, when they fitted another belt, they weren't happy and have gone back to their belt supplier to query what's the problem.
So, we are left wondering. Was the timing belt fitted incorrectly? (Was it too tight?). They say they've done thousands of timing belts and this is the first warranty failure. Was the belt faulty? Who would know now its a pile of shredded rubber?
So, we will decide tomorrow. If its not fixed by tomorrow afternoon then the decision is made - we pull out.
If they say it is fixed then the decision is - do we risk a desert trip with an engine which has just had a top end rebuild and has a question mark over the timing belt? You would normally run it for a bit to check everything is OK. I suppose a 2600km trip to Alice is a fair test of that, but its not ideal to do the test in the bush in case there is a problem.
My thinking is, if everything has been done correctly then its OK to go, but how do we know its all correct?
Apart from the timing belt and the (hopefully fixed) engine work, she's right to go. Our gear is all packed and sitting in the carport ready to be loaded in. But, would we be taking an unjustified risk on such a remote trip. Really don't want to have to pay to get towed to Birdsville or back to Alice.
What do you reckon people? Go or not?

[Sitec]

IMO, you go. You've booked the time, you're due an adventure so take the chance. Worst case scenario it goes bang again and you are up for a tow back.. which the repair shop should be liable for. As you have the time off, having a breakdown would just b part of the adventure.. no rush to be back.. Timing belts don't shred for no reason tho.. There must be something touching it, or a bolt in a wrong hole etc etc etc. if they had a spark of sense at the repair shop, they'd run it without the cover and watch it for an hour or two... Tdi's had an issue with front cover flex, causing belts to run out of line and shred, but they should have all had the upgrade years ago. A lot of timing belts now are directional too... Lots of 'ifs', 'buts', 'when's' and 'maybee's' I know, but without being there, and having a good look at the timing parts I can't see the 'story' that took place. There's always marks left when things like that happen, its just finding them. Get it home, give it a good two hour thrash, then go! Good luck!! :)

[redrovertdi]

Have the thrust washers been checked? Is it an update crank shaft pulley?

[UncleHo]

If that timing belt was in a 300TDI then I would get the con-rods checked because if it let go at speed then the push rods would have stopped while the pistons were still moving,I would push for a replacement short motor ;)

[DiscoMick]

The manager said they fitted an upgrade timing belt kit. The receipt says:

'Supply and fit timing belt and front oil seals as required.'
'1 x exchange timing cover.'

The manager says they couldn't find anything wrong which would have caused the timing belt to fail.

I assume the manager is trying to recover some of his warranty costs by hitting up the belt supplier by saying its belt must have been faulty.

So, was the belt faulty or the wrong belt? Was it fitted incorrectly? Was it too tight. Did they forget to fit the retainer? Seems unlikely, but who would know.

Its odd that the belt ran fine for two weeks and then failed on a two hour drive coming back from Lismore.

Frankly, I am uneasy, but Im trying to stay cool, calm and logical. Not easy. The manager is getting quite defensive, but I have not chucked a wobbly ' yet.

Sent from my GT-P5210 using AULRO mobile app

[UncleHo]

Was this work done by a Landrover specialist workshop or just a local garage with 4x4 knowledge ? there is a difference,I used to do a lot of correction work on local Series vehicles after the local mechanics had "worked" on them :(

LWB rear brake shoes fitted incorrectly,result poor braking,"that's the best you will get with a landrover!" :mad: LWB Series rear shoes are "handed" left and right, front and rear shoe,all in the back drums

cheers

[mike123]

Disclaimer: I have no association with Bearmach other than buying some parts over the years.

I've been looking into timing belt changes as I'm intending to do that myself when it is next due. One thing I did find in the various forums is that some believe the Bearmach timing gear for the crank is a better gear than others as it has a forged shoulder where as the others have a tack-welded shoulder (supposedly the OEM is tack welded). The suggestion was that the tack welded shoulders can tear the belts if the belts are slightly out whereas the Bearmach ones don't. The problem is still the walking belt to allow it to happen in the first place.

I've had walking timing belts in the past and tack welded shoulders so next time the belt is done I'll try the Bearmach kit.

As for heading off on the trip, I'd be cautious about it but at the end of the day everyone would be looking forward to it so I'd head off. I'd pack some gear to change a timing belt, study where the Land Rover dealers are on route and upgrade any roadside assistance to the top cover.

[PAT303]

If that timing belt was in a 300TDI then I would get the con-rods checked because if it let go at speed then the push rods would have stopped while the pistons were still moving,I would push for a replacement short motor ;)

That doesn't happen,the rockers have a weak point cast into them and the push rods are designed so they bend,the motor would be fine. Pat

[PAT303]

The manager said they fitted an upgrade timing belt kit. The receipt says:

'Supply and fit timing belt and front oil seals as required.'
'1 x exchange timing cover.'

The manager says they couldn't find anything wrong which would have caused the timing belt to fail.

I assume the manager is trying to recover some of his warranty costs by hitting up the belt supplier by saying its belt must have been faulty.

So, was the belt faulty or the wrong belt? Was it fitted incorrectly? Was it too tight. Did they forget to fit the retainer? Seems unlikely, but who would know.

Its odd that the belt ran fine for two weeks and then failed on a two hour drive coming back from Lismore.

Frankly, I am uneasy, but Im trying to stay cool, calm and logical. Not easy. The manager is getting quite defensive, but I have not chucked a wobbly ' yet.

Sent from my GT-P5210 using AULRO mobile app

The tensioner should be replaced with every belt,that would be the problem IMHO. Pat

[Ranga]

If you go, and you don't already have it, definitely sign up for RACQ Ultimate - they'll ensure you and the vehicle get home without any cost.

[POD]

The trip to Alice Springs should be enough opportunity for a problem to show itself, I would suggest you do the trip and have the belt checked by the LR agent there on the way through. Sutton Motors, the Landy and Subaru agent in Alice, were extremely helpful to me on a recent trip through there, I would trust them to check the belt for signs of impending doom. Also get the top roadside cover from RACQ as suggested, if it's anything like as good as the Vic equivalent they will tow your vehicle home and fly you as well if there is a significant issue that can't be sorted locally.

[DiscoMick]

One thing in our favour is the group includes the BIL who is a mechanic. However, some things just can't be fixed on the side of the road, which is why we tried to do thorough preparation before the trip, but it seems to have backfired.
Will know more later today and make a decision.

[workingonit]

Are you doing both legs of the Simpson - seem to be less than a week each, viewing their website? Maybe hire a Prado and deal with the Disco when you get back?

[bob10]

For what it is worth, I would err on the side of caution, only go if you are 100% happy with your vehicle. The Simpson's not going anywhere, Bob

[Redback]

I'd go:)

Baz.

[DiscoMick]

The workshop manager just rang and says he got it looked at by a specialist because they couldn't find a reason why the belt shredded and they wanted to make sure it was all OK. He says the engine is running fine and the vehicle should be ready by lunchtime, after they reconnect the radiator.
I actually do think the guy was genuinely puzzled by what happened and is trying to do the right thing and I've told him I appreciate him trying to honour his warranty. Obviously, we both want the same thing - the problem fixed. Last thing he wants is for it to go bang out west somewhere and have to be trucked back for him to have to try again.
So, all digits are crossed it will all be good to go after all... I hope.

[Redback]

Well buggar off and get packing then;)

Baz.

[DiscoMick]

Yep, hope to pick it up after work, pack like crazy, mount the fuel drums on the roof and head for the Big Sky Country. Can't wait.

[wardy1]

Good luck mate, sounds like an awesome trip.

We all have everything crossed for you and your family:D

[Robmacca]

Looking forward to reading the trip report when u get back......

I know of another mate doing that same Drive 4 Life in a White Petrol 150's..... How many vehicles are involved in this crossing?

[Chops]

Good luck dude and have fun.

Try not to stress about what "could" go wrong, and enjoy the drive and the experience.