Honestly, do i NEED to change my timing belt every 60K miles?

[98FWDSM]

ok, I bought my car with 52K miles on it and it now has a little over 124K miles with the same belts on it.

now, do I really need to change my timing belt? I mean, I have heard some horror stories of timing belts snapping and destroying a engine but how often does this happen? If it is 1 in every 1,000 then I would say that I am ok, but what do you think?

I just never hear of anyone replacing their timing belt but i guess it could be different because it is a boosted car?

Thanks

 

[tcgs]

Man, If you have that many miles on that belt I would change it asap! They all will fail eventually if you keep running on it. Changing the belt is insurance that you will not destroy your expensive engine. If the belt breaks it will destroy the head and possibly the pistons.

 

[psychlow]

I have heard some horror stories of timing belts snapping and destroying a engine but how often does this happen?

I'd be willing to wager that for the last few years, there is at least one DSM owner in America who loses an engine due to a shredded or slipped belt every single day.

Search for "bent valves timing" and see how many threads you find. I found 500 threads since 03/01/03.

 

[GRNDSM]

Are you for REAL? This is sort of like saying: "do I really have to refill my gas tank?"

 

[compression]

wow you guys are mean but dude they are right if you break spit, throw or anythign to ur belt causing it to come off your cam gears those valves are gone, so it would help alot to change ur belt because its cheaper then a valve job or a new head or whatever other damage has been done

 

[project_tsi]

id do it if i were you, over the past year ive bought 2 nice DSM's for really cheap because the timing belt either snapped or slipped and bent valves.

 

[chaye]

Well, you could just not listen to anyone and just let it go till it snaps.

Then proceed to banging your head against the wall for not listening. I have a car that the timing belt was done but the balanceshaft belt was not done, so that broke and guess what, all the intake valves are bent to hell and the pistons are gone.

So your call.....

 

[galen57]

Change your belt and all the supporting hardware, pulleys, tensioner, balance belt and water pump, then you can rest easy for another 60,000 miles, or until the tranny starts to go. $250 will get you all the Mitsu parts, check Conicelli or one of the linked sites, then another 250-300 labor- use someone good.

 

[DiamondStarM]

bad idea to disregard it. you change the oil and clean the air filter, maybe drain your catch can , its just part of the upkeep of a car, bit the bullet, spend some cash and protect your investment

 

[c5chris]

It's $400 vs. the cost of a new engine - plain and simple.

It's your car, you do what you think needs to be done to it. It's true that there are are only a few that got their belt snap at them, don't be a statistic.

Actually I believe its the accessory belt that snaps and brings the timing belt with it. DO BOTH at the same time since they require the same steps to get to them.

 

[BUCK]

NO - Honestly you NEED to change the Timing Belt every 50K miles... !

 

[dsm4life]

yeah i wont bash you but yes change it. I remember on my first motor when 120K came around im like hmmmm it seems so expensive to fix something that is not broken but trust me man its well worth the insruance. If that belt breaks the wrong way then say good bye to your car.

 

[igopoopy]

no you dont need to..............thats how i bought my car (with a broken t-belt) for only $300 so replace it or sell it cheap

 

[compression]

i dont know about you guys but here where im at dsm are popular for horsepower, turbos, speed, looks, BENT VALVES,CRANK WALK they are known for those 2 things for then anything but as long as you maintain it youll be jus fine and its worth it, i know alot of people here that talk crap id jus put a new belt on and walk all over their ass but i have the ol 1.8 sohc 4g37 TURBO w00t so no worries here mate

 

[compression]

4g63 has zero tolerance for spit thrown or broken timing belts.

 

[Defiant]

Do ya feel lucky, punk?

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

Well, do ya?

 

[Gatosport]

i asked my self the same question. last night my timing belt broke. i had that belt maybe for 65,000 miles. like defiant said, do u feel lucky?

 

[turbotoad]

4g63 has zero tolerance for spit thrown or broken timing belts.

What about the 420A?

It currently has 108,000 miles on the engine and because It was bought used I have no idea if/when the timing belt was changed.

It seems to look ok, but I'm nervous now!

 

[leet]

Man, I thought I'd seen it all..

Just change the belts. Think of it as insurance.

 

[98FWDSM]

$250 will get you all the Mitsu parts,

Where did you find all the parts for $250????????? the best price that I have found thus far is $500 from San Rafael....that is all the belts, pulleys, bearings, and water pump

 

[RamenPride]

now, do I really need to change my timing belt?

you don't have to do anything, but why on earth would you not want to change it? it would be kind of ironic if you wanted to spend money on aftermarket parts instead, only to neglect routine maintenance and have performance parts for a car that doesn't even run....

 

[lilalex86]

YEAH, you do on alot of cars had a couple of toyotas and its in the manual and mechs say so I really would say ask somebody who knows about cars if you dont listen to the dsmers.

 

[paranoidTSi]

I foolishly bought my waterpump for $100 at Autozone..looking at Ebay there are Timing Belt w/ Waterpump sets for around $150.

 

[BlackbirdOfPrey]

And to think that people complain about a DSM's reliability.....Hmmmm........