Timing Belt: Is it still good?

[RTICWOLF]

Hi there!

Just bought a 92 Eclipse with the NA 2.0 engine. It has only 127k miles, but needs a bit of work (just normal stuff). Just finished the valve cover gasket as it leaked a lot of oil, but that is the only oil leak on this car. Oh, and just to say, I did look for posts on this subject on this site and one other with no luck and also I am a former GM tech; although I have worked on many types of cars so I am not new to mechanics either. When I took off the timing belt cover on the drivers side the belt looked good. It is unknown when this belt was last replaced, but it looks to be in very good shape, no cracks, fraying, or anything else obvious. What can I look for on this belt to tell its age or if it is good? I do not really have the funds to pay to have it done since I personally have not done this before on such a car, just bought the car to get better gas mileage than my Silverado.

Also, both exterior door handles are really loose, I assume if I take the door panels off I can tighten those up? Any posts on how to take the door panels off without breaking any tabs? !

Any ideas and suggestions would be most welcome, and of course you do not have to limit those to my questions here, any suggestions about this car are most welcome....but the timing belt condition is my main concern, I do not want to have to do it just yet if I can help it so I want to know how I can tell if it is good or not.

Thanks everyone!

 

[weith1111]

If it is cracked or worn in any visible way, it's probably time to change it. Although that may be hard to decipher, and just because a belt isn't showing wear doesn't mean it isn't ready to crap on you. Best thing is to find out the last time it was done. If it was over 60k miles, it's best to change it. Same with the water pump, if it's original, you should change it, and if you are changing the pump, you might as well change the belt and vice versa.

My .02

 

[RTICWOLF]

Thanks for the reply, I certainly do not know when it was last changed, but its certain its not the original belt as good as it looks...besides, it could not have lasted 127k miles for sure. Water pump? Yeah, if I have the belt changed that is a good I idea for sure....why do work twice? Besides, I am fairly sure it is OE. I see that other people also change pullies and such at the same time and also something about eliminating other parts all together? Guess it comes all in a kit?

I might just take the risk for now on it, I just cannot afford to do all that work and I would be a bit leary of doing it myself having never done that before. Heck, I only paid $500 for the car anyway and I am putting about $200 into it now to get everything fixed that it needed (doing it all myself). I bought it actually to save gas over my Silverado for the winter (or longer), not sure how long I will keep it either. Like I said, physically the belt looks great, although I plan on rotating the belt around to see if it looks good on the rest of it. Boy, wish I had a crystal ball to see how long it was going to last....!

Any other ideas? How about those door panels?

 

[joeycake]

If it is cracked or worn in any visible way, it's probably time to change it. Although that may be hard to decipher, and just because a belt isn't showing wear doesn't mean it isn't ready to crap on you.

I'd consider the timing belt one of those things where if there is any question to it, it should probably be changed, or at least made a priority.

 

[RTICWOLF]

Finally got a hold of the previous owner and she confirmed it was replaced at 120k miles, right when it should have been. So, since the car has only 127k, I am good to go. Thanks everyone for the help, at least now I know for sure and I can worry about other things, like getting it to pass emissions!

Seriously, thanks for the help!