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Should I replace my timming belt?
Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2003 5:03 am
by 123c
I am curious on whether or not to replace the timming belt on my car. It has almost 187,000 miles, and has been well cared for(po taped mileage of fluid and filter changes in engine compartment). I know that the belt should have been replaced 7,000 miles ago, but I am unsure if this has already been done. Is there an easy way to tell if the belt has been replaced or needs replacing. If I should replace it, I will probally do it during my few days off the week of thanksgiving...
Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2003 12:46 pm
by petridish38
when in doubt, i would always replace it. you would have to take the covers off to get a look at the whole thing, and you might as well replace it if you're gonna do that.(IMO)
How many miles were on the car when you bought it?
If it has been done, we can assume that the previous owner probably had it done right on time if he kept up with fluid changes and what not....just an assumption, but a safe one. so you're probably due for another one.
And if you don't change it, karma will strike and it will break right when you need the car the most.
You could do the water pump and seals too if u want.
Andrew
Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2003 1:27 pm
by 123c
I bought the car with 185,000 miles on it...
Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2003 2:31 pm
by HomeSlice
did the original owner die or sumtin? why dont you give him a call and see. maybe save you some work m8----
Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2003 4:05 pm
by vrg3
homeslice's suggestion is a good one, and I'd start there too... but you also don't know if the water pump and cam and crank seals were replaced when the cambelt was last replaced too, and those are good to replace every so often...
Then again, it's a non-interference engine, so a snapped timing belt won't destroy the engine...
You can try removing the side covers to take a look at the belt, but I don't have any good points of reference for how to tell how old the belt is. If it looks bad to you, definitely replace it! But even if it doesn't, it might still be tired. The belts are pretty beefy so even bad ones can look okay if you're used to seeing accessory belts.
Posted: Wed Nov 19, 2003 7:19 am
by ciper
If you had an old car with lots of miles and you planned to sell it would you shell out a ton of money for a repair? I say wait until you save up to replace cam/crank seals +water/oil pump and do them all at once.
That is unless you dont plan to keep the car for another 30k miles. If not Id say drive it until something starts leaking. Old timing belts dont brake that often in legacys. I drove one of mine for 85k on the same belt...
Compare that to the stupid belt on an ER27 which brakes on the drivers side at 20k over
