timing belt

[CasioTech]

I changed my timing belt on my trooper just yesterday, plus the tensioner. All came out to like $500 with labor and tax. My question is, did I really need to change my timing belt at 60k miles like the service manual says? I heard that they could go over 100k. The guy didn't want to show me my old timing belt, is it possible that he didn't even change it? He seems honest. Really does. I had other mechanics tell me that my breaks need to be changed, and other things, but he said they were still very good and other things will still work for a long time. Only an honest mechanic would say that.




Also, suppose the new belt is defective and snaps in 10k miles, causing serious engine damage, who would be responsible for that? I know if there isn't a new belt and still an old one, then it would be the Midas shop. Is there really a way to tell an old belt, from a newer 10k mile belt? If it is a new belt and snaps, do the companies reimburse for engine damage caused by the faulty belt?

 

[cjgallen]

Originally posted by: CasioTech
The guy didn't want to show me my old timing belt, is it possible that he didn't even change it?

I dunno, let me come over and look under your hood :roll:

 

[CasioTech]

you wouldn't be able to see anything as the timing belt is buried deep within the engine.

 

[Zenmervolt]

You need to change the timing belt at whatever the service manual says. Yes _SOME_ belts can go 100,000 miles. Those are newer engines with less tension on the belts and better management of the self-tensioning system. If your manual says 60,000 miles, don't go trying for 100,000 miles.

As long as the belt snapping was not due to fraud (e.g. they didn't really change the belt) or poor installation on Midas' part, they can't be held liable. And it would be a difficult fight in the first case.

If they did put a new belt on and they did it properly, then even if it snaps, it's not their fault from a legal standpoint. If anything, you _might_ have a chance at the belt manufacturer, but I doubt it.

Yes, you will be able to tell if the belt had 10K miles versus 70K miles.

ZV

 

[Heisenberg]

If the timing belt snaps and you have an interference engine then you're basically looking at buying a new motor, so following the service manual here is a really good idea. Taking it to Midas however, is a really bad idea.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: CasioTech
you wouldn't be able to see anything as the timing belt is buried deep within the engine.

Wrong. Timing belt runs off of the front of engine crankshaft pulley. It very likely has a guard cover over it and some accessory belts in front of it, but it sure as heck isn't "buried deep within the engine".

ZV

 

[CasioTech]

Originally posted by: Heisenberg
If the timing belt snaps and you have an interference engine then you're basically looking at buying a new motor, so following the service manual here is a really good idea. Taking it to Midas however, is a really bad idea.

hahahahaha.... Trust the Midas touch...

 

[JulesMaximus]

I would have changed it. It's not just mileage that causes wear on belts. Age will cause rubber to get brittle and crack so I think you did the right thing.

If it snapped I don't think it would have done any damage to your engine though. I'm pretty sure that's a non-interference design. Your Trooper would just stop running and you'd be stranded on the side of the road.

 

[CasioTech]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
You need to change the timing belt at whatever the service manual says. Yes _SOME_ belts can go 100,000 miles. Those are newer engines with less tension on the belts and better management of the self-tensioning system. If your manual says 60,000 miles, don't go trying for 100,000 miles.

As long as the belt snapping was not due to fraud (e.g. they didn't really change the belt) or poor installation on Midas' part, they can't be held liable. And it would be a difficult fight in the first case.

If they did put a new belt on and they did it properly, then even if it snaps, it's not their fault from a legal standpoint. If anything, you _might_ have a chance at the belt manufacturer, but I doubt it.

Yes, you will be able to tell if the belt had 10K miles versus 70K miles.

ZV

it's not their fault if their belt is properly installed, but defective? WTF?

 

[CasioTech]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: CasioTech
you wouldn't be able to see anything as the timing belt is buried deep within the engine.

Wrong. Timing belt runs off of the front of engine crankshaft pulley. It very likely has a guard cover over it and some accessory belts in front of it, but it sure as heck isn't "buried deep within the engine".

ZV

well w/e, I suck at cars.

 

[Nutdotnet]

It was a good idea to change the timing belt.

If you timing belt goes you're probably looking @ a new engine...

 

[Rubycon]

You cannot change your breaks just the time you take them!

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: Nutdotnet
It was a good idea to change the timing belt.

If you timing belt goes you're probably looking @ a new engine...

Not on that engine. It's a non-interference engine. Is it the 3.2l V6? I had a '94 Rodeo and I think they had the same engine. The Rodeo was a non-interference engine.

 

[CasioTech]

Originally posted by: C6FT7
You cannot change your breaks just the time you take them!

what?

 

[CasioTech]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
I would have changed it. It's not just mileage that causes wear on belts. Age will cause rubber to get brittle and crack so I think you did the right thing.

If it snapped I don't think it would have done any damage to your engine though. I'm pretty sure that's a non-interference design. Your Trooper would just stop running and you'd be stranded on the side of the road.

Everyone tells me that my pistons and everything would break when my timing belt goes.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: CasioTech

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
I would have changed it. It's not just mileage that causes wear on belts. Age will cause rubber to get brittle and crack so I think you did the right thing.

If it snapped I don't think it would have done any damage to your engine though. I'm pretty sure that's a non-interference design. Your Trooper would just stop running and you'd be stranded on the side of the road.

Everyone tells me that my pistons and everything would break when my timing belt goes.

What engine do you have in your Trooper?

 

[CasioTech]

v6 3.2l like you said.

 

[CasioTech]

but anyways, aren't isuzu svu's really great, 11 y/o, and hardly any problems.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: CasioTech
but anyways, aren't isuzu svu's really great, 11 y/o, and hardly any problems.

They are pretty reliable and durable. I had some stupid little annoying crap go wrong with mine but nothing major. It was a good vehicle.

Your engine is the same as the one that was in mine. If the belt breaks it would just stop running and would not damage the engine. My mechanic told me this and I confirmed this with a few other people who know those vehicles inside and out.

Still, these things tend to happen when you would least like it to. It's a good thing you had it done when you did.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: CasioTech
it's not their fault if their belt is properly installed, but defective? WTF?

They didn't build the belt. There's no way for them to know if it's defective or not unless it has an obvious gash in it, and there's no way to prove that it had a gash in it when it was installed. You'd have to go after the company that made the belt. If it's not a Midas brand belt (which it almost certainly is not) then it's not Midas' fault if it's defective. At most in that situation Midas would give you a new belt for free. The rest is between you and the belt manufacturer I'm pretty sure.

ZV

 

[CasioTech]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: CasioTech
it's not their fault if their belt is properly installed, but defective? WTF?

They didn't build the belt. There's no way for them to know if it's defective or not unless it has an obvious gash in it, and there's no way to prove that it had a gash in it when it was installed. You'd have to go after the company that made the belt. If it's not a Midas brand belt (which it almost certainly is not) then it's not Midas' fault if it's defective. At most in that situation Midas would give you a new belt for free. The rest is between you and the belt manufacturer I'm pretty sure.

ZV

well if what Jules said is true, then I would have no engine damage.

 

[Shawn]

If you have a non-interface engine like I do and don't mind the possiblity of getting stuck somewhere then you can just keep driving it until it breaks. There have been people on the miata forums say their belt lasted 120k miles before it broke.

If you have an interface engine or just don't like the idea of getting stuck somewhere than change it every 60k miles like it says in your service manual. If your timing belt breaks and you have an interface engine it WILL destroy the engine. Even though I have a non-interface engine I'll probably just replace the belt every 60k miles because I don't mind doing the work myself. Only costs me about $30 for a new belt.

 

[CasioTech]

if you know how to change that, then props to you.

 

[Shawn]

Originally posted by: CasioTech
if you know how to change that, then props to you.

Yeah, luckly it's really easy with my car. Since it's rear wheel drive the engine is positioned so that all the belts are in the front.

 

[rh71]

I have a '95 Isuzu Rodeo and I was worrying about my timing belt also... I finally changed it at 85k miles... I knew it was a non-interference engine but to have it snap when I'm out on the road would've been more hassle than it's worth... so you did the safe thing changing it... no big deal.