1G Ridge (groove) on Timing belt

[sharkbait689]

I noticed a while ago that theres a ridge on the left side of my timing belt. Its been like this for a while and hasn't hurt anything. Obviously im reluctant to fix it unless absolutely necessary because of how expensive timing belt repairs are. Ive attached a few pictures i took. Can anyone tell how/if this is serious? Thanks for the help

 

[92AWDHX40]

First you need to replace one of the bolts in the oil pan its too long thats why there is a groove there, been there, replace that belt and the pulleys, tensioner if you have not yet, water pump cheap insurance.

 

[red92tsi]

Yup, you probably just have one of the longer oil pan bolts in the spot you're supposed to have one of the shorter ones.

 

[phunny]

OP, I understand what you're saying about not having the money for the "expensive" timing belt/water pump job but consider this.

Do you have money for a new engine? If not, fix it.

 

[sharkbait689]

If i get it fixed, should i get just the belt fixed (and have a new oil pan screw put on, of course)? Also, generally how much does having the belt replaced cost? Lastly, is there any way to tell when the timing belt will break? Its been like this for at least a year now.

 

[92AWDHX40]

You cant tell when it breaks it breaks a month a week who knows but, chance it if you like, belt, parts, could cost over 500 dollars, parts alone tensioner, pulleys, belt, labor, oh yeah get a water pump no need for oem, unless you have the dough, i never used one and owned dsm for over 15 years now and have had great luck with pumps that cost bucks, but to each his own.

 

[TSIfreek]

Yep one of the oil pan bolts are to long. If your going to do any high rpm driving then I would have the belt replaced as well.

 

[sharkbait689]

What would qualify as high rpm driving? I never go above 5k, usually i shift at around 3k.

 

[92AWDHX40]

When that belt breaks youll know, what kind of driving anytime driving i would get that fixed or be prepared to get another enigne .

 

[JusMX141]

Who recently had the oil pan off and put the wrong bolts in the wrong holes?

 

[92AWDHX40]

I did that a few years ago, didnt pay it much mind but i caught it before things got out of hand.

 

[sharkbait689]

I had the oil changed about 2 years ago (i dont drive it much but i do need to have it done again soon). So that would be the only time i would imagine.

 

[tenn-gsx]

You havent done an oil change in 2 years?WTF You do realize that oil needs to be changed every 6 months or so regardless of mileage right?

 

[Boostinsideways]

You havent done an oil change in 2 years?WTF You do realize that oil needs to be changed every 6 months or so regardless of mileage right?

I allways heard 3 months/3k miles. Of course with newer premium oils you can stretch that out on new low mileage engines.

But, on a dsm I would do it every 3 months/3k miles.

 

[lordofwar1441]

wow 2 years! im impresed ## car hasnt blown up yet.

 

[phunny]

I had the oil changed about 2 years ago (i dont drive it much but i do need to have it done again soon). So that would be the only time i would imagine.

Hahahaha I hope you're kidding

 

[tenn-gsx]

Well if you only drive 1000 miles in 6 months and its a stock n/t and your not hard on it then 6 months is ok. If your hard on the car then stick to 3 months.

 

[atownturbo]

I had the oil changed about 2 years ago (i dont drive it much but i do need to have it done again soon). So that would be the only time i would imagine.

OP: you are one brave dsmtuner kudos to you. But get that bolt and belt fixed and that oil changed. Youll thank yourself later.

 

[dikdiamond]

I had the oil changed about 2 years ago (i dont drive it much but i do need to have it done again soon). So that would be the only time i would imagine.

You don't take off the oil pan to change the oil.

 

[sharkbait689]

Haha wow, alright, ill get the oil changed. I havent driven more than 3K miles since the last oil change, which is why i havent had it changed yet. As for the belt, im going to leave it until i have more cash, but ill see about getting the bolt replaced when i get the oil changed (i thought you had to remove the oil pan to drain the oil, my bad). As much as i love my car, a $500 repair just isnt worth it when i know something else is going to need fixing in another 6 months (the last owners were as negligent as i was, it seems).

 

[tenn-gsx]

Thats not just a repair. Its regular maintenance as well. If you dont know when the belt was last done then it is time to do it even if the grove was not there. This is like saying Im not going to replace my brake pads when they are worn out.

 

[sharkbait689]

Im not certain when the timing belt was last replaced, but I know it hasnt been anywhere near 60k miles.

 

[Boostinsideways]

wow... no oil pans have a bolt in the side/bottom to allow the oil to be drained without removing the entire pan.

That would suck and your oil change @ express wouldn't be a 15 minute affair, it would be an hour+ Plus you would have to replace the oil pan gasket, downpipe gaskets, etc each time. It would probably double or triple the cost of an oil change.

You can easily do an oil change your self in 10 minutes or so with a jack, a wrench, and an oil pan.

Im not certain when the timing belt was last replaced, but I know it hasnt been anywhere near 60k miles.

Its another one of those things you can't just do based on mileage. Its ever 60k miles, or ever 18 months. The belts will get hard and crack over time. A brittle belt is prone to failure. A cracked belt is just dangerous. If the belt fails while your driving, your going to be calling for a tow.

So 150$+ If you dont have towing coverage.

Then a complete rebuild of your engine, or at the very minimum a valve job.

I would rather pay 200+ for the timing belt job ever year and half to 2 years than have to ever pay for another head job/rebuild because the timing belt failed.

Happened to me once on the way home with a new purchase.

 

[tenn-gsx]

wow... no oil pans have a bolt in the side/bottom to allow the oil to be drained without removing the entire pan.

That would suck and your oil change @ express wouldn't be a 15 minute affair, it would be an hour+ Plus you would have to replace the oil pan gasket, downpipe gaskets, etc each time. It would probably double or triple the cost of an oil change.

You can easily do an oil change your self in 10 minutes or so with a jack, a wrench, and an oil pan.



Its another one of those things you can't just do based on mileage. Its ever 60k miles, or ever 18 months. The belts will get hard and crack over time. A brittle belt is prone to failure. A cracked belt is just dangerous. If the belt fails while your driving, your going to be calling for a tow.

So 150$+ If you dont have towing coverage.

Then a complete rebuild of your engine, or at the very minimum a valve job.

I would rather pay 200+ for the timing belt job ever year and half to 2 years than have to ever pay for another head job/rebuild because the timing belt failed.

Happened to me once on the way home with a new purchase.

Some european cars do not have a drain plug. Mercedes comes to mind.

Im pretty ssure the time limit on a timing belt is a bit more than 18 months if there is a specified time. I might be wrong. 18 months is like 15-30k miles for average drivers.I would expect a time limit to be more like in the area of 36 or 60 months. Again I might be wrong. But I worked a 2 different dealerships for 2 different manufacturers and only remember ever seeing a mileage limit on timing components. Granted niether were a Mitsu dealer.

 

[Boostinsideways]

Most of the non DSMs I've worked on had a chain. Chains don't get brittle, or crack, or fray. The just stretch to the point where they eventually break or you have a gear skip time.

What model mercs don't have a drain plug? My boss's SLK gets done @ the shop quite often. Never worked on any other merc. Of course its the lower end SLK. The 300 I think. Its not omfgwtf AMG SLK that costs like 140 large.