timing belt / pulleys

[unplugme71]

When I got a quote from the dealer, they didn't mention replacing the pulleys when doing a timing belt change. Just the timing belt, balance shaft belt, and water pump. However, on the message boards here they say to change the pulleys and even the tensioner.

Would I be fine just doing the belts and water pump, or should I do the pulleys and tensioner too? Car has 185k miles. I plan on doing a 6bolt swap over the winter so if the motor goes, then its not too big of an issue as long as I can get by over the summer.

 

[Gstclipse69]

If you are going to all the trouble to replace the timing belt and the balance belt then I would change the pulleys and tensioner too. You have to take them all off anyway to get to the balance shaft belt. But if you are going to do a 6 bolt swap this summer then why mess with it at all? Is the belt damaged at all?

 

[rbrown86]

Well... The issue you have to consider is that the bearings in the pulleys have been spinning just as long as the water pump and the timing belt. I would replace them all. I know you are planning a build, but its always better to be safe than sorry. Just my 2 cents.

 

[unplugme71]

If you are going to all the trouble to replace the timing belt and the balance belt then I would change the pulleys and tensioner too. You have to take them all off anyway to get to the balance shaft belt. But if you are going to do a 6 bolt swap this summer then why mess with it at all? Is the belt damaged at all?

The belt looks fine. I took the top cover off and spun the motor twice around and don't see signs of wear. As for the balance shaft belt, i'm unsure.

I was thinking to just replace the belts as its only about 100 bucks, and get a cheap water pump from Napa - I've seen remanufactured ones go for 40 bucks. I don't feel like spending 400 on a timing belt job that I only need for maybe 8-10k miles.

I know Mitsu says to do it every 60k, but that has to be on the 'safe' side. Cars can probably go an extra 10-20k on it without issues, it all depends.

 

[rlacasse1]

Are you saying you only turned the motor over two revolutions by hand? Cause if that's all you did then you have only seen a short section of your belt.

Put a little mark on it and just keep on spinning it by hand until you see the mark come back around.

 

[DSM_munky_man]

On the pulleys, I dont replace them. I inspect them for ANY signs of damage though before reusing them. On any build of mine, no matter the pulley I have never replaced them since they were all still good, which I see no sense in changing them if they are still good anyway.

 

[unplugme71]

Are you saying you only turned the motor over two revolutions by hand? Cause if that's all you did then you have only seen a short section of your belt.

Put a little mark on it and just keep on spinning it by hand until you see the mark come back around.

Sorry, I meant I rotated the motor enough to see the entire belt twice. I used white chalk to mark the start point

 

[phunny]

I've seen some pulleys fail just because of mileage, but also they may fail do to the timing belt change. I don't give my customers the option. If I'm doing it, I do it right.