New engine = new timing belt?

[paqman]

Hey all, quick question for you. I've owned my '97 escort for exactly three years. It's got 114K miles on it. Runs like a champ. Not one problem in the three years I've had it. It had a rebuilt/restored title on it when I bought it. Bought it from a friend who's father put in the new engine after an accident. Sooo...

When I bought it, the car had 92K miles on it, but the new engine only had 20K. So my question is, if they put a new engine in it, they would have put in all new belts at the same time right? Including the timing belt? Cause I started thinking, at 114K I oughta replace the timing belt, but then I realized that they probably put in a new one when the engine was replaced, which means the current timing belt would only have about 45K on it.

Am I correct? Would they have put on a new timing belt when the new engine was put in? If so, I can get a couple more years out of the belt before I swap it for a new one.

[szigatti]

Well that all depends on the condition of the belts when the engine was swapped and how good of a job the person did. I would have changed them but some people cut corners. I get my 94 belt changed every 40k but its non-interference, im not sure about the 97.

I would recomend taking a close look at the belts, if they look old, have cracks or are splitting change them right away. Plus you could just ask your friends father.

[mightymoose_22]

If a new engine went in you can pretty much count on new belts... but as said above, it depends on the person that did it and whether they wanted to save a few bucks. New belts probably caem with the new engine though.
Can't just ask the friend to ask his dad?

[hakachukai]

considering the fact that a new timing belt only costs around $30 (I think), I would just replace it.

Then you will know for sure, AND you can spend your time on other things, rather then wondering when it's going to wear out for the next several years.

[paqman]

Well I plan on asking my friend's dad, but I haven't spoken to him in a few years. (We worked together, and I moved away) But I'm still trying to contact him. I was just curious on what you all thought. I can't look at the timing belt without doing a little disassembling, but the other belts look new, so I'm assuming it was replaced. Plus, he's a pretty decent guy, not one to cut corners, so I'll bet he replaced it.

Oh, and as for just replacing it cause it only costs $30, I totally agree with you, however, I'm just a noob aspiring to be a hobby mechanic, and I've never done a timing belt before. I've purchased a few repair manuals, and I've been looking over the instructions on how to do it, hopefully getting up the courage to do it myself. I think I will do it myself when the time comes around, but I think I'll wait a couple years, because I can be pretty sure the belt's only got about 45K on it. It's nice having a slightly older car that I don't have to be afraid of tinkering around with.

Anyway, thanks for your reply's! Any tips or warnings on a first timer doing a timing belt on a '97 Escort?

[mightymoose_22]

Changing the belt is actually pretty easy, but very tiem consuming... and a lot has to come apart to get to it.
When the time comes, remember that the water pump is often replaced at the same time... just because of all the disassembly required.

[paqman]

Originally Posted by mightymoose_22

Changing the belt is actually pretty easy, but very tiem consuming... and a lot has to come apart to get to it.
When the time comes, remember that the water pump is often replaced at the same time... just because of all the disassembly required.

Yes, I will definitely change the water pump at the same time. So it's not that it's too terribly difficult, just takes a lot of time? Say, more than a good long Saturday?

[hakachukai]

Here is a little tip that will take all the fear out of it.

When you install the belt.... remove the spark plugs, and turn the engine with a ratchet several revolutions.

If the engine turns smoothly with the ratchet, you atleast know that the valves aren't going to hit the pistons if you run the engine. So worst case scenario would be that the engine won't start, and you have to readjust the belt if you made a mistake.

But that doesn't sound so scary... or does it? :-P

If you wanted to get crazy, you could even do a compression test first. But I would just go start the car up.

:icon1 6::naugh ty:

sorry, I felt like I needed to express myself :-P

[paqman]

Originally Posted by hakachukai

Here is a little tip that will take all the fear out of it.

When you install the belt.... remove the spark plugs, and turn the engine with a ratchet several revolutions.

If the engine turns smoothly with the ratchet, you atleast know that the valves aren't going to hit the pistons if you run the engine. So worst case scenario would be that the engine won't start, and you have to readjust the belt if you made a mistake.

But that doesn't sound so scary... or does it? :-P

If you wanted to get crazy, you could even do a compression test first. But I would just go start the car up.

:icon1 6::naugh ty:

sorry, I felt like I needed to express myself :-P

Not too scary. Like I said, I think the belt's got plenty of life left in it, but maybe it's time for a family member's car to have the timing belt done, and I get practice on it. ;-)

[mightymoose_22]

Well mine is a 94... I am not sure how different the '97 is without looking at it. Surely it has its differences... but can't be too different. I can change mine in a couple hours... if you have never done it before and are following a manual, you can get it done in a day. Just be sure you have everything you need before you start, and if you are going to silicone the water pump, allow plenty of time for it to cure. Best to leave it overnight, but I doubt anyone ever does!

[paqman]

Originally Posted by mightymoose_22

Well mine is a 94... I am not sure how different the '97 is without looking at it. Surely it has its differences... but can't be too different. I can change mine in a couple hours... if you have never done it before and are following a manual, you can get it done in a day. Just be sure you have everything you need before you start, and if you are going to silicone the water pump, allow plenty of time for it to cure. Best to leave it overnight, but I doubt anyone ever does!

Thanks. When the time comes, I think I will definitely do it myself. It doesn't seem too bad.