Coolant Fluid On Cambelt

[gordon lonsdale]

Hi all, I've got a slight drip from the water pump on the old mk2 diesel...another little chore for me , a mate however says I should replace the cam belt as well if its got any antifreeze on it .. can he possibly be right?.. I thought antifreeze was friendly to rubber etc . Would love to hear your comments . Gord

[gregers]

ive never heard that,only with brake fluid as its meant to be harsh to all and sundry????

but you nver know.

[sepulchrave]

Your mate is being a dick, how long do you think the coolant hoses would last if there were any truth in his ludicrous assertion?

[mk2vr6]

Your mate is being a dick, how long do you think the coolant hoses would last if there were any truth in his ludicrous assertion?

 

considering that they are specifically designed to cope with the coolant coming into contact with them a lot longer than a timing belt anti freeze can degrade the reinforcing cords in the belts as they are not protected like they are in coolant hoses

Edited November 14, 2009 by mk2vr6

[sepulchrave]

The cords are synthetic Kevlar and Nylon fibres, like most polymers they are completely unaffected by most solvents let alone almost homeopathic amounts of water/ethylene glycol solution.

 

Even assuming the 'rubber' was deteriorated sufficiently to expose significant amounts of these fibres It isn't really a variable and he's still a dick.

 

You should fix the leak though.

[Steveenduro]

If you've got to go through all the hassle of changing the waterpump, I would put in a new belt and pulley kit anyway if the old one is much more than 1/2 way through it's change interval.