Max timing belt/chain question

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Joe S. - 21 Feb 2004 00:56 GMT

I have a 93 Max -- owner's manual says replace the timing belt every 60,000
miles, which I have done.

I read on this NG mention about a timing chain in the Max. Did they go to a
chain in later Max's? Timing chains generally don't require replacement,
right?

Just wondering.

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Joe S.

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Pat@Boston.Harbor - 21 Feb 2004 02:33 GMT

The 160HP VE30xx SOHC engine has belts, while the 190HP VG30DE DOHC
has chains. Both engines were available that year, depending on which
model you got. I think only the GXE had the VE30. Both are good
engines.

Chains generally last the life of the engine, but not always.
A belt which slips gear teeth could alter timing to the point where a
piston may be going 'up' and hit a valve which is 'down'.. very bad.

>I have a 93 Max -- owner's manual says replace the timing belt every 60,000
>miles, which I have done.
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>
>Just wondering.

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Steve T - 21 Feb 2004 02:48 GMT

> I have a 93 Max -- owner's manual says replace the timing belt every
> 60,000 miles, which I have done.
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> chain in later Max's? Timing chains generally don't require replacement,
> right?

Key word is "generally". The problem arises when an engine has a chain
problem, it's normally 3X-5X more than a T-belt job would cost.

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bitsbucket - 01 Mar 2004 16:33 GMT

Yes, chains are better, but as suggested, if a car with a chain has a
problem, it may cost more to replace, BUT, you do not have a 600 dollar
expense every 60K miles either.....and don't think that "well I just drive
5K every year so it will last me along time" because time is just as
important as mileage, in other words, its every 60K or every so many
years......I don't know the time frame off the top of my head.....but there
is a time, as well as mileage.
Good Luck
2Maximas

> I have a 93 Max -- owner's manual says replace the timing belt every 60,000
> miles, which I have done.
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>
> Just wondering.

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Steve T - 01 Mar 2004 20:40 GMT

> Yes, chains are better, but as suggested, if a car with a chain has a
> problem, it may cost more to replace, BUT, you do not have a 600 dollar
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> years......I don't know the time frame off the top of my head.....but
> there is a time, as well as mileage.

I consider 10 years about the max to let a belt go without replacing it.

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Dan - 02 Mar 2004 22:57 GMT

>>Yes, chains are better, but as suggested, if a car with a chain has a
>>problem, it may cost more to replace, BUT, you do not have a 600 dollar
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>
> I consider 10 years about the max to let a belt go without replacing it.

I think the recommendation is 60K miles or 4 years (48 months), which
ever is first.

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