POLL: Would you not buy a car because it has a timing belt?

[CraigRT]

Meh, replacing the timing belt on most engines isn't that difficult. Removing a timing belt cover hardly qualifies as "cracking the engine." It's about as difficult as removing a valve cover.

You're right, but its still over the top as far as routine maintenance for a DIY type person.
I will do jobs like that, but I'm not the norm as far as regular car owners go.

 

[alphatarget1]

Meh, replacing the timing belt on most engines isn't that difficult. Removing a timing belt cover hardly qualifies as "cracking the engine." It's about as difficult as removing a valve cover.

Disagree. The crankshaft pulley bolt is a b!tch to get off when I tried to change my dad's Honda's timing belt. We ended up putting everything back and had a shop do it.

 

[jlee]

I am tempted to pay a shop to do mine just to avoid the inevitable snags...I was quoted $750 parts and labor for t-belt, tensioner, idler(s) and water pump...

 

[Zenmervolt]

I am tempted to pay a shop to do mine just to avoid the inevitable snags...I was quoted $750 parts and labor for t-belt, tensioner, idler(s) and water pump...

That's not a bad price at all given that they're dealing with a mid-engine car.

ZV

 

[jaha2000]

Had a timing chain break on my first car. That sucked the big one!!! (1969 Grand Prix)
Most 4 pots have belts these days, like ZV said, the technology is quite good.
Would not bother me to have a car with belts for sure, the motors make quite a bit less noise and have lower vibes.

 

[PottedMeat]

Disagree. The crankshaft pulley bolt is a b!tch to get off when I tried to change my dad's Honda's timing belt. We ended up putting everything back and had a shop do it.

what kind of engine? i used a ~2' breaker bar + socket and tapped on the starter on a 6-cyl honda, came right off.

...had to weld a cheap threaded plumbing adapter to a piece of scrap steel to get it back on though like this: http://www.tegger.com/hondafaq/cranktool/index.html#easiest

 

[Arkaign]

Meh, replacing the timing belt on most engines isn't that difficult. Removing a timing belt cover hardly qualifies as "cracking the engine." It's about as difficult as removing a valve cover.

Well, it really depends on the car, it varies massively model to model, and it can really suck on DOHC motors that are packed into small engine bays with poor access.

I watched a USAF buddy and his cousin change a timing chain (irony) on an E36 M3, and it took them two days and a lot of swear words (they're very experienced, but less so with German cars).

Even the 2.5L 3-series was a bitch : http://www.angelfire.com/blues2/bimmer/maint/tbelt/timingbelt.html

 

[CRXican]

dumbest thing I've ever heard

 

[jlee]

That's not a bad price at all given that they're dealing with a mid-engine car.

ZV

My bad- that's for the Forester.

MR2's are uncommon enough around here that'd I'd take a week of downtime to do it myself instead of pay a shop to do it- chances are I am more familiar with the car than they are.

 

[hanoverphist]

Is that the "big deal" the OP is referencing? If so, I wonder how many engines fail because of timing belt failures causing damage to the valves.

my friends shop has a kia up on the lift getting the top end rebuilt due to it.

would a timing belt (instead of a chain im assuming?) keep me from buying a vehicle? probably not. can i figure out how to answer the poll correctly? nope. theres no choice for "mebbe"

 

[desy]

My buddy rebuilt his 'top end' after a timing belt failure in his KIa Rio

 

[Arkaign]

my friends shop has a kia up on the lift getting the top end rebuilt due to it.

would a timing belt (instead of a chain im assuming?) keep me from buying a vehicle? probably not. can i figure out how to answer the poll correctly? nope. theres no choice for "mebbe"

Yeah, there needs to be an option for 'It is a factor in choosing, but not a deciding factor'.

All things being equal, chain > belt, but obviously there are many cars with belts that are better buys than cars that have chains due to : cost/features/safety/etc.

 

[TwinsenTacquito]

No, that wouldn't affect much. It's lame when they use a belt, but whatever, people are cheap. They need their cupholders.