Longer lasting timing belts?

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Mal Osborne - 29 May 2008 12:57 GMT

Looks like it's getting close to another timing belt change. Came across
this add a while ago. Anyone think these could be left for longer? It's a
standard '94, looking at extending time belt change interval rather than
increasing performance. Maybe twice the life of a standard belt? Cost is
well worth it for the hassle.

http://gatesracing.com/timing.cfm

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XS11E - 29 May 2008 16:08 GMT

> Looks like it's getting close to another timing belt change. Came
> across this add a while ago. Anyone think these could be left for
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>
> http://gatesracing.com/timing.cfm

Over the years we found Gates and Goodyear belts to be substantially
longer lasting than generic ones, but I don't know how much longer.

Previous discussions seemed to agree that maybe a 100,000 mile interval
for the timing belt, water pump, crank seal, cam shaft seals and idler
pulleys is about right. Several people, including me, think the
factory suggestion is too soon but extending the interval would require
quality parts be used.

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Chris D'Agnolo - 03 Jun 2008 00:31 GMT

Mal, That's a good question. My thinking is (having 90k now) that if I want
to have this car 'forever' the extra money (basically double) might well be
worth it. I basically would never have to be concerned with it again but,
anything short of keeping the car to 200k, it doesn't seem to make sense.
Now, it's not huge money difference so, if money wasn't tight, I wouldn't
hesitate but, by the time that you do all the 'smart' things that go along
with the timing belt change when it's been put off to this late stage, the
dollars add up a good bit.

The other thing to think about is, won't my new waterpump be marginal at
180k or so? Won't I want to be doing this again about then, if I still have
this vehicle? I don't think I want to go thru this major of an ordeal with
the same car twice. I'm thinking I'd rather be on to another Miata or
.........? by that point.

Chris
99BBB

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Lanny Chambers - 03 Jun 2008 01:49 GMT

> by the time that you do all the 'smart' things that go along
> with the timing belt change when it's been put off to this late stage, the
> dollars add up a good bit.

It's only "smart" because each one of those other things will disable
the car if it fails, and the labor to fix it is the same as a timing
belt job. By replacing all the wear items while it's apart, you will
spend more on parts, but will likely save a huge amount of labor
(whether you do it yourself or pay a shop). You'll also have the
convenience of choosing when and where the work is done, rather than be
broken down on the side of some forsaken road in the middle of a rainy
night.

What if you did only the belt and then two months later the water pump
failed? And two months after that, the tensioner pulley, which will take
your new belt with it? I've read too many tales of woe from folks who
cheaped out on a timing belt job and had exactly that happen. Unless you
enjoy working on cars and your DIY time is worth nothing, you will
almost certainly save significant money replacing everything at once.

Signature

Lanny Chambers
St. Louis, MO
'94C

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Chris D'Agnolo - 04 Jun 2008 03:53 GMT

Lanny, relax, I used the 'smart' term, you sound like you're trying to
convince me it's smart, I know it's smart!

Later,
Chris
99BBB

>> by the time that you do all the 'smart' things that go along
>> with the timing belt change when it's been put off to this late stage,
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
> enjoy working on cars and your DIY time is worth nothing, you will
> almost certainly save significant money replacing everything at once.

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