teamcrossworks

I was just going through my maintanence records and realized the timing belt on my car was changed in 2005 with 57,000 miles. Now 5 years later and 72,000 miles I'm scared to even drive the car after reading some posts about 30,000 or 3 years. I was always under the impression I had about 15,000 miles to go, not taking into account the age.

Since funds are low right now (and I was hoping to do the work over the winter), is there a way to check the condition of the belt for cracking or any other significant sign of potential failure?

I know the popular response will be to "change it"...I'm just grasping

carlege

belts cost 30 dollars. you can run a new belt and then change the wp later if it really bothers you.. You have a couple months before the winter.

V2Rocket

under $15
http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/...pg5.htm#item23

teamcrossworks

Not sure if I can do it myself or not even afte watching Van's video.

So the cost will be much more.


You know after reading this, I never should have even asked such a stupid question...just not looking forward to doing it or having it done.

Thanks all.

Tom M'Guinn

On the other hand, congratulations for driving 15k miles without needing to take it apart.

(Maybe someone nearby can walk you through it....)

carlege

ask a close rennlist member to help you. Make sure you learn how to do it.

onspeed

i need to do this as well. what else should i change while i'm there? I need like the alignment tool as well right? water pump was changed probably 10 years ago along with the timing belt, but car has only been driven maybe 10,000 miles. Upon visual inspection and feeling it, it seemed solid, but obviously better safe than sorry.

What will i need to do the change?

86 951

reno808

teamcrossworks where in Northern New Jersey are you located i am in 10954.

IGROWL

I bought my Red 944 2 years ago it had been 6 years but only about 8,000 miles since the last change.

I had it changed as soon as I realized what could happen any minute.

My mechanic said it didn't look that bad but it had a lot less miles on it than yours. I would change it or you are not going to be able to sleep until you do.

IanM

You've only got 15K on the belt. Do you know if your engine leaks oil from the front (balance shafts, front main seal)? If the front is dry, and particularly if the car has been stored indoors in a reasonably temperature controlled environment, I'd personally just keep driving the car. Do you know if the belts were re-tensioned after initial installation?

teamcrossworks

IanM - No oil leaks at all, garage kept and always kept clean and dry. Belts re-tensioned.

reno808 - I'm in 07470 about 30min away from you.

IanM

Below is from Clark's Garage. Personally, I would do the first retension a bit before 2000 miles. If anything I think the info below is slightly conservative, and I personally know a lot of folks who do not keep rechecking the belts after the first retension.

http://www.clarks-garage.com/

944
Mileage Maintenance
2000 Inspect and retension timing and balance shaft belts.
15000* Inspect and retension timing and balance shaft belts.
30000 Inspect and retension timing and balance shaft belts
45000 Replace timing and balance shaft belts. Inspect rollers and replace if necessary.

* For vehicles which see limited service, I recommend inspecting the belts after two years if 15000 miles has not been reached and annually thereafter.

Oddjob

You are not at immediate catastrophic risk with a 5 yr old belt and 15k miles - assuming it was installed correctly, the tensioner and idler are not seizing and chewing the belt up, and no oil is degrading the rubber (so yes, its worth pulling the cover to inspect).

teamcrossworks

I feel better about taking it out for a Sunday drive. It's supposed to be a beautiful day.

Thanks to all and be assured I will change it asap.

Van

Look up TheykallmeKem - I think he's in your area, too.

If your water pump isn't leaking, and it's not that old, leave it alone. Change it another day. Chances are, you'll have to replace an idler or two... Depending on how long you want the car out of service will tell you what to "pre order". Also a good idea to change cap and rotor while you're in there... Front main seal and oil pump drive gear if you're really ambitious.