Timing belt longivity.

[donna]

I have 123K on my 89, not sure if original owner changed it, there is no foil sticker on cover that is usually placed when one is replaced. I looked at the belt and it looks fairly new and in good condition, so, what are the members here experience with how long will the original one last before it snaps. On my 88 Corolla (1.6) it had 215K with original when I sold it and its still going two years later....

[gdawgs]

I just changed mine last year on my 91'. 140,000. Still looked good. But looks can be deceiving.

A couple years ago on my 99' Escort, the teeth of the timing belt started stripping off. By the time I got it home(it still ran, but not very well), about 2 to 3 inches of teeth were gone, so the belt had moved that much. So just because the top side(toothless side that you inspect when you move the timing belt cover over to inspect) may look like it's in good condition, the inside may be another story.

[jglutz]

My first change was at 92k/10yrs.....Like new!

[WmWatt]

The official recommendation is 100k. I did mine then but it still looked to have lots of life in it. I keep it as a spare. I understand since the engine is freewheeling it's not a big deal if the belt brakes.

[geezerstiva]

yeah, i believe these are non interference engines. if the belt breaks, then it just quits. no more damage than that.

[ejp2fast]

yeah, i believe these are non interference engines. if the belt breaks, then it just quits. no more damage than that.

yep, non interference. unlike my 2001 honda civic and the timing belt broke going 70 mph on the freeway. all new valves, pistons just had very small dings that i blended out where the valve had hit it...

[deathegg]

first change for mine (88 L+, bought new) was on schedule, but then for the second change i was about 33,000 miles overdue. Had big chunks missing out of it, but still worked. It was a miracle i got across country with it like that.

[scitzz]

Not a big deal if the belt breaks? Have you priced towing lately with the gas prices being so high?
I drove a tow truck for about a year, until just recently, and still do on the rare occasion, the prices are getting STEEP!

[mechanicaldj]

The official recommendation is 100k. I did mine then but it still looked to have lots of life in it. I keep it as a spare. I understand since the engine is freewheeling it's not a big deal if the belt brakes.

THE QUOTE ABOVE IS FROM HARRY HOMEOWNER OR MR SHADE TREE MECHNIC^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^


I believe the first timing belt should be changed at 60,000 and subsequent belts can be changed at every 90,000 afterwards (or at least thats what NAPA informed me a while back)

and might be a good idea to look at the crankshaft and camshaft oil seals and a good hard look at the water pump weep hole and gaskets at the time of replacement

[WmWatt]

Mechanicaldj: 100k km = 60k miles. We're metric here in Canada. Sorry about the confusion.

[festivalife]

Well, the Napa parts box with my new timing belt and tensioner states Ford: 60K miles; Mazada: 70K miles; Kia: 100K miles.
Haynes: 60K miles life, so change it at 50K miles. My first stock belt tore apart without any damage to anything at 110K miles. This is on my '90 Festiva, 5spd. manual.

[MONSOON]