Time To Change Timing Belt???

[ian_maham]

Hey I recently just bought my talon about two months ago. Its at 110,000 and there is no record of a timing belt change? Any descriptive ideas on how to check the belts strength?

Thanks,
Ian

 

[Kalisko]

I just did mine.

Pull off the upper timing cover and look at the teeth and see if they're in good shape. Also, check the outer side of the belt to see if there's any sign of extra rubbing/wear. While doing this , see if you can have a friend get under the car (hopefully jacked up) and turn the crank so it rotates the belt, allowing you to inspect the whole belt.

If there's excess wear on it I'd say yeah go ahead and change it

 

[donniekak]

Just change it. The way these cars are run i change rings, bearings, and the t-belt and water pump asap.

 

[JamesTSi]

IIRC, they suggest replacing the Timing Belt on our cars every 30k. If it hasn't been done, do it now. Get an OEM belt, or a good upgrade belt like a Kevlar belt, the 4G63 doesn't seem to like auto parts store belts (gates, goodyear).

 

[Lofty]

If you have to ask, do it.

Simple as that.

 

[Auto RS T]

Kalisko has some good input. Another easy way to guess the belts age is by how glossy it looks on the smooth side. New belts have more of a flat black look, while older belts will have a shine to them. Make sure you do a search on doing a timing belt job, that way you know what all items you should get when you do this job, like a water pump for example.

 

[Lofty]

Buy an extreme PSI timing kit, and a waterpump from somewhere.

Done!

 

[DSM1G90]

Pull off the upper timing cover and look at the teeth and see if they're in good shape

I work in an industry where I deal with machinery that uses toothed belts for mechanical operations. We check our belts all the time since they go over idler and tensioner pulleys all the time.

On this comment above, looks do some good, yet can be your worst enemy. Thus, teeth on the belt CAN look good, but are they dried out, gotten some on the hard side, hiding cracks that cant be seen where you can see the cord hiding? You pull the belt off, turn it inside out twisting it 90* and tightly roll it around in a diameter the same size of the crank sprocket and it's amazing on how many hidden wear sections can easily show up telling and making you that looks ain't everything.

You just bought the car, do the belts pronto - no matter how good they "look"

When I bought my Ply Turbo - sure, visually, the belt looked good, but not buying that old wive's story. Got an OEM belt kit from Mitsu (a little over 300 bucks) and WP, and when I pulled belts and did my testing, sure enough - glad I yanked that belt out as quick as I can.

It wouldn't have lasted another 100 miles by the wear that I found on it: every tooth had a hairline crank located at the base of each tooth when I turned it inside out and rolled it in a tight diameter.

..for what it's worth - take care of your ride and it will take care of you. Good luck - DSM

 

[spooled_u_1st]

IIRC, they suggest replacing the Timing Belt on our cars every 30k. If it hasn't been done, do it now. Get an OEM belt, or a good upgrade belt like a Kevlar belt, the 4G63 doesn't seem to like auto parts store belts (gates, goodyear).

Don't you mean 60k.

 

[mobythevan]

I replace mine every 40K. My last idler bearing was toast at 40k when I changed everything. But I use ITM components so maybe 60K is comfortable on OEM components.

 

[housegsx]

I am just finishing up my timing belt job on my 96 TSi. It only has 58k, but I have no records for the car and it's 13 years old.

Do both belts, the pulleys, and the auto tensioner. While you're in there it's a good idea to replace the water pump and what seals you can easily get to (front crank seal, cam seals, etc) It's also a good time to inspect you accessory belts and harmonic dampener.

 

[spectr019]

Don't think I can make any more points than what has been said, but just another voice to hopefully convince you to get the belt done!!!

This is stated very necessarily on the tech guidelines...MAINTENANCE MUST COME FIRST. If you spend all this money on performance parts and have a *hitty car to begin with, you're going to be paying for more than you needed to at first (rebuilt cylinder head for example).

So yes everybody has brought up good points. And with as much abuse that we put on our cars, you can probably put yourself at ease changing it out at 50-55K.

Ben

 

[ian_maham]

i dont wanna sound like a jackass but i am so so with engine work. i can do basic engine work (change tubing, oil change, valve cover replacment, electrical work, and other basic jobs) but honestly, how tuff is this task. days(8 hours) worth of work work, two days for a rookie?

by the way awesom answers, very informative from everyone!

thanks,
ian