Sometimes things just happen! Always replaced the timing belts at 60,00 or under per manufacturer recommendatons. Well engine has 155,000 on it, timing belt had 36,000 on it and the belt pully basically fell apart, teeth apparently worn out and belt slipped off and cracked the pulley and/or the pulley just fell apart. Prior to failure only symptom was inability to go above 65 mph. Failed shortly after that Fortuantely vehicle was not an interference engine, all seems well once repaired.
Timing Belt Interval
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Originally Posted By: Tornado Red
Originally Posted By: hate2work
Pay the extra money and get an OEM belt, the aftermarket ones are not the same quality. And get it done sooner than later.
What is an OEM timing belt? Auto manufacturers do not make timing belts, they buy them from Gates or Conti or Dayco or another reputable supplier. You can do the same.
gates and Conti are OEM T-belt supplier for many factory cars and because of that, it is fairly self-assuring that you are getting just as good, if not better belts as the one that leaves the factory with your engine since day-1 (of course, the rest of the failure associated with T-belt comes from improper handling/installation and water pumps, belt tensioners, etc.)
Dayco fairs the worse so far and I wouldn't bet my own dear life and my mobile asset (my car) with it, period. Good year, well, I don't know. Their gatorbacks for fan/alternator/water pump/A/C seems to be ok, but then again, I don't care too much about it, citing (a)almost all Japanese OE belts are either supplied by Mitsuboshi (tri-star) or Sumitomo, and so long as I purchase these brands, I know that I'll be fine for a long time.
Currently, other than my dad's 7th gen civic which calls for T-belt replacement every 160,000kms, our 2 other cars (fit and 04 camry 4cyl) are both chains.
Q.
p.s. not all T-belts are created equal so remember this: what you pay is what you get.
Originally Posted By: hate2work
Pay the extra money and get an OEM belt, the aftermarket ones are not the same quality. And get it done sooner than later.
What is an OEM timing belt? Auto manufacturers do not make timing belts, they buy them from Gates or Conti or Dayco or another reputable supplier. You can do the same.
gates and Conti are OEM T-belt supplier for many factory cars and because of that, it is fairly self-assuring that you are getting just as good, if not better belts as the one that leaves the factory with your engine since day-1 (of course, the rest of the failure associated with T-belt comes from improper handling/installation and water pumps, belt tensioners, etc.)
Dayco fairs the worse so far and I wouldn't bet my own dear life and my mobile asset (my car) with it, period. Good year, well, I don't know. Their gatorbacks for fan/alternator/water pump/A/C seems to be ok, but then again, I don't care too much about it, citing (a)almost all Japanese OE belts are either supplied by Mitsuboshi (tri-star) or Sumitomo, and so long as I purchase these brands, I know that I'll be fine for a long time.
Currently, other than my dad's 7th gen civic which calls for T-belt replacement every 160,000kms, our 2 other cars (fit and 04 camry 4cyl) are both chains.
Q.
p.s. not all T-belts are created equal so remember this: what you pay is what you get.
JHZR2
Staff member
Originally Posted By: Tornado Red
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Is there a way to guarantee that youre getting a gates belt? I dont know offhand what auto parts stores sell gates...
You can ask. Or you can look at the belt yourself
Obviously... but I was asking more along the lines of if one parts chain carries them specifically. No point in going to pep boys and looking/asking, if someone else knows that only AAP and carquest carries them (for example).
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Is there a way to guarantee that youre getting a gates belt? I dont know offhand what auto parts stores sell gates...
You can ask. Or you can look at the belt yourself
Obviously... but I was asking more along the lines of if one parts chain carries them specifically. No point in going to pep boys and looking/asking, if someone else knows that only AAP and carquest carries them (for example).
NAPA's premium belts and hoses are Gates. rockauto.com also sells Gates at a discount. I bought a gates timing belt kit and it looked to be very good quality.
Im playing with fire. My Tacoma recommends 90K, currently 92K. Popped off the timing belt cover and it still looks brand new...holding my breath till 120K to change it, unless the water pump starts to leak.
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Originally Posted By: Spector
Sometimes things just happen! Always replaced the timing belts at 60,00 or under per manufacturer recommendatons. Well engine has 155,000 on it, timing belt had 36,000 on it and the belt pully basically fell apart, teeth apparently worn out and belt slipped off and cracked the pulley and/or the pulley just fell apart. Prior to failure only symptom was inability to go above 65 mph. Failed shortly after that Fortuantely vehicle was not an interference engine, all seems well once repaired.
That's why periodic visual and hands-on inspections are required.
Sometimes things just happen! Always replaced the timing belts at 60,00 or under per manufacturer recommendatons. Well engine has 155,000 on it, timing belt had 36,000 on it and the belt pully basically fell apart, teeth apparently worn out and belt slipped off and cracked the pulley and/or the pulley just fell apart. Prior to failure only symptom was inability to go above 65 mph. Failed shortly after that Fortuantely vehicle was not an interference engine, all seems well once repaired.
That's why periodic visual and hands-on inspections are required.
My wife's acura calls for a T-belt at 100k miles in most climates and 60k miles in a climate where -20C is common (like mine).
I had hers done at 61K miles by a honda dealer, saved $350 on the same belt/service by going to a honda dealer in a smaller town (150 miles away - visting parents). The acura dealer where I live (city of 1 million plus) charges way more.
I had hers done at 61K miles by a honda dealer, saved $350 on the same belt/service by going to a honda dealer in a smaller town (150 miles away - visting parents). The acura dealer where I live (city of 1 million plus) charges way more.
That's a good idea about using a dealership (or other mechanic) in a rural area. Cost of living is less (as are wages), so often times you can find an outstanding deal. I'm going to try and do just that.
I just did my timing belt on the my Jetta TDI at 100K, the timing belt could have gone another 50k easy. The waterpump and tensioner would have failed in the next 5k-10k. Also the waterpump had a small leak and was making some bearing noise.
Originally Posted By: ARB1977
Im playing with fire. My Tacoma recommends 90K, currently 92K. Popped off the timing belt cover and it still looks brand new...holding my breath till 120K to change it, unless the water pump starts to leak.
That Tacoma should be a non-interference type if I'm not badly mistaken so much less to lose in the event of a failure.
Im playing with fire. My Tacoma recommends 90K, currently 92K. Popped off the timing belt cover and it still looks brand new...holding my breath till 120K to change it, unless the water pump starts to leak.
That Tacoma should be a non-interference type if I'm not badly mistaken so much less to lose in the event of a failure.
Well I changed my timing belt and tensioners in my '96 Zetec Contour at 12 years and 70,000 miles.
actaully, it was a 96 Mystique with the zetec that had the pulley fall apart with a belt only 36,000 miles old. Your zetec is not an interference engine, bad belt will not casue damage
As to the person that stated do a visual inspection, sorry, I am not capable of doing that and to pay a mechanic the labor to inspect a belt prior to 60,000 is not cost effective. the time to just get to some of these belts to inspect is large
actaully, it was a 96 Mystique with the zetec that had the pulley fall apart with a belt only 36,000 miles old. Your zetec is not an interference engine, bad belt will not casue damage
As to the person that stated do a visual inspection, sorry, I am not capable of doing that and to pay a mechanic the labor to inspect a belt prior to 60,000 is not cost effective. the time to just get to some of these belts to inspect is large
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Originally Posted By: Spector
As to the person that stated do a visual inspection, sorry, I am not capable of doing that and to pay a mechanic the labor to inspect a belt prior to 60,000 is not cost effective. the time to just get to some of these belts to inspect is large
I suggested visual inspection. If the belt is hidden behind a cover, this may require some work. If inspection is not an option, then you may just have to take your chances. In case of a non-interference engine this may be acceptable to you.
As to the person that stated do a visual inspection, sorry, I am not capable of doing that and to pay a mechanic the labor to inspect a belt prior to 60,000 is not cost effective. the time to just get to some of these belts to inspect is large
I suggested visual inspection. If the belt is hidden behind a cover, this may require some work. If inspection is not an option, then you may just have to take your chances. In case of a non-interference engine this may be acceptable to you.
Originally Posted By: benjamming
That Tacoma should be a non-interference type if I'm not badly mistaken so much less to lose in the event of a failure.
Yea its non-interference.
That Tacoma should be a non-interference type if I'm not badly mistaken so much less to lose in the event of a failure.
Yea its non-interference.
An interesting timing belt fact, on the 90's Miata's the timing belt change interval for California was 100,000 miles, (all emmisions related stuff had to last that long there). Everywhere else the interval was 60,000 miles with the same belt... They weren't interference engines anyways, but the interval in California and the part number might be worth checking for your car.
My Tracker/Vitara has a chain system which is not the best for reliability, and makes a timing belt change seem very cheap if something goes wrong...
Ian
My Tracker/Vitara has a chain system which is not the best for reliability, and makes a timing belt change seem very cheap if something goes wrong...
Ian
Originally Posted By: kingrob
Quote:
My Tracker/Vitara has a chain system which is not the best for reliability, and makes a timing belt change seem very cheap if something goes wrong...
Please explain.
The timing chain tensioner system on this particular engine seems to be a weak spot. Something (OCI's to long?) seems to cause the tensioner not to tension anymore allowing the chain to flap around and wear the slider, the chain, and the gears. Assuming you don't break the chain and bend valves or worse, replacing all these parts makes a timing belt change seem very cheap!
I don't know how long timing chains normally last? Usually the life of the engine I assume/hope?
Anyways, I'm running synthetic now so hopefully it won't be an issue for me, it seems to be long OCI's that cause the problem due to sludging perhaps? Some of the rebuild pics have pretty clean engines though so who knows...
Ian
Quote:
My Tracker/Vitara has a chain system which is not the best for reliability, and makes a timing belt change seem very cheap if something goes wrong...
Please explain.
The timing chain tensioner system on this particular engine seems to be a weak spot. Something (OCI's to long?) seems to cause the tensioner not to tension anymore allowing the chain to flap around and wear the slider, the chain, and the gears. Assuming you don't break the chain and bend valves or worse, replacing all these parts makes a timing belt change seem very cheap!
I don't know how long timing chains normally last? Usually the life of the engine I assume/hope?
Anyways, I'm running synthetic now so hopefully it won't be an issue for me, it seems to be long OCI's that cause the problem due to sludging perhaps? Some of the rebuild pics have pretty clean engines though so who knows...
Ian
If the tensioner and related parts don't contribue to a tension problem, you shouldn've have to worry about a chain at all. But like a motorcycle chain, if you get too much or too little tension, your chain and sprocket wear accelerates.
Originally Posted By: ViragoBry
If the tensioner and related parts don't contribue to a tension problem, you shouldn've have to worry about a chain at all. But like a motorcycle chain, if you get too much or too little tension, your chain and sprocket wear accelerates.
Yep, sometimes this tensioner sticks and allows too much slack as the chain wears, then the wear gets faster and faster and then snap! New head time...
If the tensioner and related parts don't contribue to a tension problem, you shouldn've have to worry about a chain at all. But like a motorcycle chain, if you get too much or too little tension, your chain and sprocket wear accelerates.
Yep, sometimes this tensioner sticks and allows too much slack as the chain wears, then the wear gets faster and faster and then snap! New head time...
A broken timing chain can cause damage every bit as expensive as a broken timing belt.
Ian, do they make an aftermarket tensioner to replace the problematic one? In your case it is irrelevant whether you have a chain or belt, but you should definitely get that tensioner checked or replaced with a better part. I actually think you're better off with the chain in this situation. I've never had to replace one in all the years of automobile ownership. I have seen belts snap unexpectedly and with catastrophic engine failure, though.
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