Thought I'd take a look at my belts today. Everything looks fine, nothing loose or frayed however, I noticed a groove running all the way around the outside (smooth side) of the horizontal belt. There is absolutely nothing rubbing on it, checked the clearance at the places closest to the cylinder casting and there is a good gap all the way around. Question is - is this a normal mark on the belt (part of the manufacturing process) or is it something else? Vertical belt has no such marks. Note, the drain tube near the drive pulley is just positioned there and is not interfering with the belt. Pictures below:
The only belts I have visual access to are an earlier generation belt but the RS belt looks very similar and it looks like something is sandwiched between the outer layers. Andy
I think you mean the kevlar layer Andy, Ricky's on about that little groove on the non toothed side of the belt, I've not seen one like that before, it does have the appearance of something "cutting/rubbing" it, have you checked there's nothing stuck on the pulleys that could do it? are the bearings free in the pulleys?
Bearings appear fine. Nothing on the pulleys - they are smooth and unmarked. No evidence of rubber deposits in the cam belt area that could be an indication of something rubbing. Basically all clean and nothing protruding that could impinge on the outside of the belt as it goes around. Very strange!
Ah, missed the point totally. Cataract surgery gave me my distance eyesight back but for anything nearer than my outstretched arm I need a magnifying glass. Now I see it, it does seem as you suggest that there might be/have been something on the tension pulley. Andy
It's clearly a sub standard OEM belt, why people still use these when there are better belts available I just do not know :Angelic:
Looks there has been 'something' in there at some point. Have seen the odd bit of grit behind covers before, specially on the newer stuff now that they're vented etc. Whatever it was could have trapped for a time between the casing round the cam pulley for instance and then been dislodged? Either that, or is it the cam cover? Looks to be close to the joining faces? Maybe a screw could have got left out or loose? Not good either way. Get em swapped soon as to be on the safe side.
I think it's highly unlikely to be a piece of "grit". That looks like it's been rubbing on some kind of fixed protrusion inside the belt housing. I'm with @nelly , check inside your belt cover for signs of rubbing. Also take a good look at the pulley wheels. Whatever, as Nelly says, once you know what it is, get them changed.
The groove is "inboard" of the cam belt cover face. Not in line with the joint surface. The cover does not interfere and the bobbin is miles away - just looks close due to the camera angle. Whatever it was - it's not there now. Was rather hoping that you wouldn't say they need changing! Bugger.
Looking at the internals, there doesn't look to be much debris to speak of in there. I would have expected that with an abrasive rubbing. Rotate the engine and carefully check the 2 roller wheel surfaces. There could be something there that is denting the belt. If it goes around enough times, it'll appear as a groove...... ........I think. :Angelic:
