When to change the timing belt.

[razaabbas]

I have a 2001 galant 2.4L with 60500 miles. DoI need to replace the timing belt now or can I wait for another 10000-15000 miles. Also is it recommended to change the water pump too if you are changing the timing belt?

Thanks

[Str8in]

you mean 1,000 or 1,500 right? its recommended to change them every 60k or b4. If your water pumps good then theres no need to change it.

[FIREdrIver]

yes you NEED to replace it. It will gaurantee an extended life for your engine. Like str8in said, if there is nothing wrong with your water pump -DON'T replace it. If it does go wrong - your vehicle is still under factory warranty -even if you bought it somewhere else. A factory water pump is not one of those components you replace periodically. Maybe after 120K, or even 150K.. maybe. What you should replace with this service is the air filter, spark plugs, & oil (switch to synthetic). That's it! See Mitsus are awesome low maintenance cars. Good luck.

[razaabbas]

Hey thanks man, I'll keep that in mind.

Raza

[busy_in_ri]

let me tel ya. When i am workin a timing belt job i recomend changing the water pump. The water pump is so cheap to just instal while you have everything off. it is right there when you are changing the timing belt. So why not. I dont even charge for the labor of changing the water pump cause it my take me a whole extra 5 minutes to do it. But if that water pump goes, say 1000 miles or so and the customer comes back to me and says," ya know i should of just had you change when you suggested" it is already to late. Now i have to chrage him for the whole 3 hours it may take me to switch the water pump. @ the $40 an hour i charge he could of saved him about $120 in labor and he could be somewhere else instead of being with out a car cause it is in the shop.

[Inman Lanier]

Most of the time you need to change the timing belt because there is interference between the valves and the pistons if it breaks. It has absolutely nothing to do with water pump condition. I don't know about these engines, but the only engines that I knew "freewheeled" (i.e. there were no clearance issues between valves and pistons) were the older Volvos and the 2.3L Ford Pinto (and later vehicle) motor. Those motors you could let the belt fail, replace it, and go on. All other motors you are gambling - if it fails, the crank continues to rotate, and some of your valves are moderately or full open - you're toast - you just bought some serious repair. Usually if the timing belt breaks, there is MAJOR engine damage - as a minimum valves and sometimes pistons. This is not to be treated lightly. Warranty will NOT cover such damage if you failed to do the maintenance and change the belt when the manual says to.

For those of you saying "no big deal" - do you know for a fact that there is no possiblie valve interference issue? I don't know that and would never recommend against a timing belt change unless I was sure.