Timing Belt Time Bomb

[Nictoe]

Talked to my car mechanic recently about what kind of options I have with my 2001 Kia timing belt. There really isn't any way to check if the original owner actually did the recommended 60,000 and 120,000 timing belt replacement. My mechanic mentioned the fact, that he'd seen many timing belts at 60,000 miles still in good condition. He also said, that the only it way it can be inspected is to take everything apart. I'm also assuming that this car model has a RUBBER belt. So I'm just wondering, just how far and how long can these types of belts last.

[RahX]

HIGHLY recommended every 60k. They are a combination of many things, not just rubber. If you don't know and aren't sure get it done, it is a lot cheaper than getting your head replaced/replacing several valves.

[mark_gober]

Originally Posted by Nictoe

Talked to my car mechanic recently about what kind of options I have with my 2001 Kia timing belt. There really isn't any way to check if the original owner actually did the recommended 60,000 and 120,000 timing belt replacement. My mechanic mentioned the fact, that he'd seen many timing belts at 60,000 miles still in good condition. He also said, that the only it way it can be inspected is to take everything apart. I'm also assuming that this car model has a RUBBER belt. So I'm just wondering, just how far and how long can these types of belts last.

Nictoe,

I may run counter to the conventional wisdom here, but I changed mine at ~100K miles. You actually can check it to see what kind of wear it has and it's relatively easy. If you go to the belt end of the engine, the timing belt cover is removable at the top of the engine. There are three (I think) bolts that hold the top part of the cover to the engine. Remove those and you can look at the top part of the timing belt (where it runs on the camshafts). Look at the belt and then rotate the engine and look some more. If it looks new, I would go more miles before I change it.

I changed mine at 100k because the water pump failed on me. (I actually had to do this in a truckstop parking lot in the middle of no where Tennessee when I was traveling with my family....needless to say, it was high stress). Had the water pump not failed, I wouldn't have changed it. It still looked great.

I would say though that if you do end up changing it, have the water pump replaced while they're in there. Same amount of work and you'll have a new water pump.

Checking the timing belt shouldn't take but maybe 10 minutes and you'll KNOW what condition the belt is in. Good luck.

Mark

[jcwit]

Change the timing belt at the suggested interval per mfg,s maintence schdule. To do otherwise with an interference engine and the t/b breaks of shears teeth your expense is either a new engine or new car.

But then again its your money.

[ricebike]

with kia and hyundai, i agree

check this other thread out:

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...=140088&page=3

and if you also google, lots of complaints even before the belt interval comes up

[ricebike]

what the... spam posting?