timing belt getting eatin? pic inside PLEASE HELP!

[DSM-Franek]

so i took my top cover off and found this..

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now my questions are.. how fragile is this now? and how did this happen?

i was reading through threads ( yes i searched ) and found that maybe the previous owner of the car put a wrong (longer) bolt in the oil pan? and this is what is poking up and grooving the belt?

has anyone ever had this happen to them? any help or opinions are greatly apretiated!

thanks in advance!
Frank

 

[FORMONTOYA]

i was reading through threads ( yes i searched ) and found that maybe the previous owner of the car put a wrong (longer) bolt in the oil pan? and this is what is poking up and grooving the belt?

That's exactly what it looks like. If it was mine I would be replacing the belt, but then again, I'm anal that way. It may or may not break on you.........if it does, you'll wish you would have changed it.

At the very least, fix the 2 bolts in the oil pan.

 

[PropXprt]

I had a friend replace his timing belt without my help and he had sort of the same thing happen. Problem was that he installed the pulley on the timing belt tensioner arm backwards. Might be something to look at. In all honesty it wouldn't take ya that long to get the front cover off and have a look for yourself to see what is going on.

 

[DSM-Franek]

I had a friend replace his timing belt without my help and he had sort of the same thing happen. Problem was that he installed the pulley on the timing belt tensioner arm backwards. Might be something to look at. In all honesty it wouldn't take ya that long to get the front cover off and have a look for yourself to see what is going on.

tried to see what the problem is but its TIGHT in there .. this is a 6 bolt in a 97 2g by the way

 

[tw21987tsi]

i am will ing to bet its the oil pan bolts but i would take it and replace the belt and look to se what is rubbing on it

 

[DSM-Franek]

i am will ing to bet its the oil pan bolts but i would take it and replace the belt and look to se what is rubbing on it

yeah im thinking its gotta be the oil pan bolt or bolts.. its a groove ALL the way around the belt and thats EXACTLY what it looks like..

whats your opinions on how fragile this belt is like this?

thanks for the help guys!
Frank

 

[oldman]

whats your opinions on how fragile this belt is like this?

You can either replace it and more importantly, pin point the cause like most logical people would do or you can try it and let us know.