Will the engine run smoother if I change the timing belt?

[IHAVEAQUESTION]

150k miles and still on original belt. I know I am pushing it, but the car was owned first-hand, so I feel confident about the condition of the car. Anyway, I recently replaced the spark plugs and distributor cap (both original), and noticed good change in engine response. So I am wondering if a $500 job on timing belt will make my car run even smoother. Please tell me.

 

[Vette73]

No, but it will run much worse when it breaks.

 

[KIAman]

Nope.

If it has valves, valve adjustment, idle adjustment and engine mounts will make it feel smoother.

 

[bruceb]

It will not run any smoother. But depending on which engine you have you may want to get it done. If the engine is what is know as "interference fit", then if / when the belt goes, you can end up with damage to the valves or pistons. Prudence dicatates, that with the mileage on the car, it should be replaced. The normal interval for them is around the 70 - 90K miles area.

 

[IHAVEAQUESTION]

isn't valve adjustment part of timing belt job? The mechanic I talked to said he will also replaced the water pump among other things.

 

[StageLeft]

Def time to replace that bad boy, it's well past its recommended interval.

 

[KIAman]

$500. Dang, what type of car is this? You might be able to do it yourself for less than half the cost.

 

[IHAVEAQUESTION]

ok...how much did you pay for the same job?

 

[Mutilator]

Like the others have said - it probably won't make it any smoother but you don't want it to break. Depending on the vehicle you can probably look at the belt... look at both sides for cracks in the rubber. At 150K I'd say it has done it's job and is time to be replaced.

What kind of vehicle is it? You may be able to get a Haynes manual and replace the belt yourself... wasn't hard to do on the POS 92 Caravan I use to have. I got lucky on that one... the timing belt broke while I was coasting down the driveway. Took me a while to figure out what the problem was though because the belt up top where you could see it was tight, it wasn't until we took off the timing belt cover that we saw the belt dangling down at the bottom. But like you I got some new plugs, wires, dist. cap, etc out of it while I was in the process of troubleshooting.

 

[DVad3r]

Whoa dude that's a lot of mileage, I'd replace it.

 

[zmatt]

Why does it cost $500 to replace the timing belt? Whoever you are getting service from is screwing you badly. Grab a helms manual and do it yourself. It's much cheaper and you will feel pretty manly when you are done.

 

[NutBucket]

So all you guys regularly replace timing belts on FWD cars? I like how everyone makes it out to be a piece of cake.

<-- has done it, but wouldn't recommend anyone & everyone go out and try it themselves.

 

[TridenT]

So all you guys regularly replace timing belts on FWD cars? I like how everyone makes it out to be a piece of cake.

<-- has done it, but wouldn't recommend anyone & everyone go out and try it themselves.

<---Wouldn't replace it himself because he watched a video of guy replacing it... Omfg. Insanity. I'll just pay... :|

 

[bruceb]

It costs $500 or more as the parts alone run about $100 including all the gaskets. And the entire front of the engine get taken apart to do the job. That includes draining the coolant, removing serpentine belt, alternator, timing cover and on some cars, the valve covers. Special tools are needed on some engines to properly align the cams. This is very true of overhead cam engines and on Honda engines. And on a front drive car, access to the front of the engine is harder to get to.

 

[kornphlake]

So all you guys regularly replace timing belts on FWD cars? I like how everyone makes it out to be a piece of cake.

<-- has done it, but wouldn't recommend anyone & everyone go out and try it themselves.

No kidding, I thought about replacing mine, then I looked at the procedure in the Haynes manual, thinking it wouldn't be a big deal I opened up the hood and found there isn't enough space between the wheel well and the timing belt cover to get a ratchet on the bolts. I do a lot of my own work on my cars but I'll gamble on the timing belt, I've got AAA, if or when the belt breaks I'll have the car towed to a shop and pay someone to replace it. I have a non-interference engine so a broken belt is more of an inconvenience than anything else.

 

[TridenT]

Reasons to change your timing belt: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGh-3fvK61I Yikes.

 

[chin311]

my gfs hyundai wants the belt changed @ 60k LUL, its @ 61k right now, but ima give it another year before she spends 399$ getting it changed

 

[Viperoni]

my gfs hyundai wants the belt changed @ 60k LUL, its @ 61k right now, but ima give it another year before she spends 399$ getting it changed

$399 to be cheap on risking $1500+?

 

[Viperoni]

Reasons to change your timing belt: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGh-3fvK61I Yikes.

Any ideas on which motor that is with 5 valves per cylinder?

 

[Vette73]

Any ideas on which motor that is with 5 valves per cylinder?

I remember hearing VW/Audi had a 5valve at one time, so could be from them.
That and I don;t know but i want to say MAYBE Volvo did as well but I could be thinking that as I know they were pushing the 5Cyl engine for a while.

 

[LTC8K6]

I see three valves.

EDIT: No I don't.

 

[LTC8K6]

I was thinking that what he was calling dents in the head were the reliefs cut in for clearance.

 

[Bignate603]

So all you guys regularly replace timing belts on FWD cars? I like how everyone makes it out to be a piece of cake.

<-- has done it, but wouldn't recommend anyone & everyone go out and try it themselves.

I helped a friend with the timing belt in his Focus. That was a pain in the butt.

 

[NutBucket]

The engine in the youtube video appears to be a B series Honda, like a B20 from a CR-V or a B18 from an Integra.

 

[exdeath]

Might run a little quieter if the timing idlers or water pump are also needing replacement (and they will at 150k).