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timing belt replacement?
forcefive
Member Posts: 1
Hey out there, I've got a '95 Mits Eclipse GS with
55k. I hear it's time to replace the timing belt.
Whom should I go to, how much will it cost, and
what should I look out for? Anybody know a good
mechanic in Hawaii? Aloha
55k. I hear it's time to replace the timing belt.
Whom should I go to, how much will it cost, and
what should I look out for? Anybody know a good
mechanic in Hawaii? Aloha
0
This discussion has been closed.
Comments
Perhaps a good question for the DEALER is: What will you do for me if this belt breaks before 100k?
They have pushrod engines, not overhead cams.
Dave
My question, is there a way to check to see if the belt is in good condition or not, or should I go ahead and get it done. I was also told the if the belt goes, I will bend the valves and am looking at $2000 worth of repair.
This engine has a 2 piece plastic housing over the timing belt area.I could remove 3 screws and take the upper housing off thereby revealing the timing belt.
Last replacement was at 75k miles, just replaced at 138k miles.
A little over 60k miles on last belt and it was showing small cracks. Caught it in time!
I am not familiar with your Maxima engine, but maybe it has a cover which may be removed easily?
Good luck.
I do know how you can find out though. Go the the Maxima BBS and post a question and they should be able to help you out. Here's a link:
http://socrates.math.ohio-state.edu/testforum/
Good luck.
Dave
Just change the thing every 90,000 miles! Is that such a big deal?
Sorry,tonewheel, but timing chains also give trouble. They stretch, the gears wear and the tensioners wear out.
When I owned my nice little Nissan pickup, I had to replace those items. Not a big deal, but just due to normal wear after 120,000 miles.
To me, it would be false economy to not just replace it while doing the timing belt.
It could last another 50,000 miles or more, but why take the chance? The pump itself isn't that expensive.
My only point was, to me, anyway, having to replace a timing belt once every 90,000 miles isn't that big of a deal.
And timing gears, chains and sprockets also wear out!
In my case, (just a few days ago)I was having a problem with the engine running rough so I took it in for a tune up. Since I had close to 100km/60m I wanted to replace the timing belt at the same time.
It turned out that the waterpump was going (eventually siezed) and my belt was chewed up and
ready to snap!
Depending on your engine, if you wait for the belt to break, the bill could be 4x more with the extra damage.
If the belt breaks, the syncronization between the crankshaft and the camshaft will be lost. And
to make matters worse, as the engine is grinding to a halt, its possible that the pistons and valves will smack together and bend a valve or valves.
Do yourself a favor and replace the dam belt! For
most cars its every 60,000 milles/100km. or 4yrs.
(check your owners manual)
For some cars its sooner, or if the belt has been splashed with oil it will degrade faster too.
For me the bill was only $600 canadian for both the belt and waterpump on my 93 lexus es 300. In US funds it should be only half of that:-)
Cheers, and happy driving.
Pat
Community Leader/Maintenance & Repair Conference
Since it's only 15,000 miles between the 90K service and the 105K timing belt job, I would probably just get everything done at 90K.
Butch11, it's not always possible to determine the condition of a belt by just looking at it. You take a gamble if you want, but why?
Also, after 100,000 miles, your water pump has had a long life...Will it go another 30,000 miles?
Perhaps, but since it is exposed and is RIGHT THERE during the timing belt job and can be easilly replaced without additional labor charges, why not get it over with and be done with it once and for all?
Edd
Also how much for a water pump?
I asked service person what happens if timing belt breaks at 50,000 miles and vehicle is well maintained; I was told that I have to pay for a valve job...
I would expect that if a belt is expected to last 100,000 miles manufacturer should pickup the bill.
Gozdalski
This link may help you determine the timing belt replacement interval.
The cost of timing belt replacement will vary from shop to shop.
What size engine do you have? 4 or 6 cyl.
Water pumps cost approx. 50 - 150 bucks.
www.carparts.com may give you an idea of what the cost would be.
The manufacturer might cover the replacement cost if the belt breaks during the warranty period.
Are you saying that manuacturer might cover total cost of damage caused by failed timing belt at let's say 45,000 miles?
My guess is you would pay for a new set of valves.
Also given my past experience with honda dealers, I avoid them because their objective is to make my wallet a lot thinner. I never ever get anything done by a dealer unless it is warranty work. You can save at least 50% in labor charges by finding some independent mechanic that works on foreign cars and has experience with honda's. My local honda dealer wants $500 to replace the timing belt and water pump-other belts are extra-probably come to almost $600 for everything-will find a local shop to do it for about half that.
I like honda's but some of their dealers apparently have boat payments due daily.
Someone recommended independent mechanic to me 3 years ago and I always took my other cars '92 aerostar and '98 escort to his garage. I'm very happy with his work. He did many repairs on aerostar but this van is cheap to fix.
If the warranty is 3 years 36k miles, and it breaks at 45k miles, it would be out of warranty and you would have to pick up the cost of repair.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks!
What else is being done to the car for the 60k maintenance? Depending on what they do, it may be worth it.
Thats only $230 a year for maintenance....not too bad.
Heck, you'll probably get another 10 years out of this car.
A very few 90 Q's have had a problem with the timing chain "guides" as they are plastic (until 92 or 93, I recall). This, if it happens, does so around 150K, and you will get a rattling sound upon start-up well in advance of a problem. Chain can not (well, nothing is impossible) suddenly break like the rubber ones due.
The belt itself is maybe $50 bucks even from a dealer-figure maybe 3 hours of labor-X70 = 210. I drive a honda and my dealer only quoted my $ 500 to change the timing belt along with the water pump. When I requested a written quote-he said, "Well there are a few other things ----". I will find someone else to change my timing belt-suggest you do the same-ask around see who works on imports and has been around for some time.
The world is full of people who have boat payments due on a daily basis.
recommends changing the timing belt for the V6
at 105,000 miles. The dealer wanted to change
the belt at 60,000, I currently have 63,000 miles
on the truck. Aside from maybe profit, why does
the dealer want to change to belt so early?
mikeyew@prodigy.net
if the manual says 105k, change it at 105k - and be very suspicious of that dealer.
Timing chains and guides wear out too! Replacing a timing belt every 100,000 miles is hardly a problem.