I know someone who says he has never had his timing belt changed on any of his cars, and that they have never broken on him, even after 200,000+ miles. He thinks the car manufacturers recommend they be changed to help their dealers make $$$. Has anyone else just ignored the recommendations to have it changed?
Ever not changed a timing belt?
That is a double edged sword actually.. Ive had cars that have hit the 300k mark with the original timing belt/chain.. then again Ive had other cars that have snapped the belt in a little under 100k... theres no concrete way to say %26quot;it'll never snap%26quot; your friend is lucky, that is all. I usually tend to inspect the chain when I first buy a vehicle and around every 50k after that.
Its always good to change one thats going bad *stretching chain, brittle belt ect ect* so to a degree its not a dealer ploy to make money if your only getting it done once every 3-5 years or so. Its just preventive maintanence to insure no problems arrise
Ever not changed a timing belt?
Well let me say, this guy is lucky thats all.
If the belt breaks there are cars out there that will suffer a lot of damage as it will ruine the engine.
The reason that thy say change the belt is it striches. The cam and engine have to be in time with each other as when the belts striches it will loose power. If that is what he says then I say ( as a mechanic) he is jut lucke but foolish and a dumb ***.
i never owned a car with a timing belt, they all had chains.
Well now that depends, if you can hear the chain rattling then you will need it changed soon but if you can't here that sound then you should be right to keep motoring along.
I don't have a timing chain now, I have a gear drive, such a sweet sound!! =D
Well parts only last so long, -- and they may have stretched the miles a little bit too! It depends on what kind of engine you have, as to whether you want to check this theory out!
Some engines have %26quot;relief slots cut in pistons so that the pistons don't hit valves, - if belt breaks, -- some don't! If you have one of the %26quot;don'ts%26quot; and you are breezing down road at 70mph, and the belt reaks, the engine is %26quot;toast%26quot;, -- the pistons will batter and break valves off, and drive them through the pistons or head (or maybe both)! Generally the %26quot;fix%26quot; is another engine! Do you want to take that chance??
My wife had one break on our Ply Acclaim last fall, it was supposed to be good for 40,000 miles, has 5,000 miles when engine put in, -at 39 (%26amp; some) miles the belt broke!, -- I was pretty worried, - but was lucky, I guess, because it made no serious noises when it quit, - and when I put on new belt it runs fine! I have no idea if it was damaged before put in, - or if it was %26quot;new either%26quot;, - but it could have been expensive - if engine had been ruined! Maybe going only about 25 mph in town,-- coming up to a stoplight (when it broke)helped!
By the way timing %26quot;chains%26quot; last 200K and further sometimes, -- they run in oil, which helps, -and are stronger than belts too! They are also harder and more expensive to replace! Timing belts are used, as they are cheaper, and no special area with sufficient lubrication is required for them %26quot;inside negine%26quot;! But most are lasting 40- 50,000 miles between replacements too!
Well, first off, the comment that has already posted about major engine damage can occur is not really true.... Unless you drive a mid 80's Ford escort with a interference motor...... Meaning when the timing belt goes....the valves stay open, and the piston smacks them.........This is not a common thing that happens as for auto makers would be in hot water over that .... Most manufacturers suggest around 60000 miles for you to change them.... now , its not unheard of to run them into the 200000 mile area..... but think about this....do you want to maintain your car on your terms, or have it go bad on its terms when you need it the most.........time to roll the dice...by the way.....I have only had one car with a timing belt......and it broke at 85000 miles.... not causing damage...just greif..... I now only drive trucks and typically they have timing chains..... one actually had timing gears...
