Topic: Question about Timing Belt
in Forum: General Non-Vette Discussion
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Lifetime MemberIndianapolis, IN - USA
Joined: 9/3/2006
Posts: 2429
Vette(s): Silver 1974 Convertible - L82 4 speed
Low miles (was only 8,900 when I bought it in March 2006) - Now 54K miles. Original owner bought it as an investment for son's college expenses.
2008 Jetstream Blue Convertible
I've got my wife's vehicle in the shop this week for regular maintenance. Talked to them today and they said the timing belt should be replaced (scheduled at 60K and the car is at 75K).
I figured the worst that could happen if the belt goes (assuming I don't replace it) was that the car stops and I need to get it done then. The guy at the shop tells me that it could bend the valves if it goes (which would then obviously not be covered by the warrantee, which goes to 100K).
They want $450 to replace the timing belt. He said if the valves get bent, that would be around $2200 to repair.
What do you guys think? I told them not to do it, but I could always call back in the morning since I don't plan on picking it up until tomorrow afternoon. I won't say what brand of vehicle it is other than to mention that Joel would prefer to not cry in one.
I wanted a Corvette my whole life, but I never dreamed of all the wonderful people I would meet because of it!
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Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Do it! 90% of engines with timing belts are "interference" engines, meaning the valves will hit the pistons if the belt breaks, or is not timed correctly. Since I don't know what engine you have, other than it is in a car I don't wanna cry in, I couldn't say for sure if yours is an interference engine or not...but I'd bet it is.
60k is the "normal" recommended interval for timing belts changes, mostly due to the belt deteriorating, since it is a rubber compound...much like your tires. Even without that many miles, the belt(s) will deteriorate. Mileage tends to stretch them, and can actually strip some of the teeth off, which will lead to the cam(s) being out of whack(hi-tech term) in regards to piston location in the hole. In fact, just turning the engine/crankshaft "backwards", even by hand, can damage the belt(s) in most cases.
$2200 to repair one that the belt has broken on sounds kinda cheap. Depends on how many valves get hammered, and how bad they gouge up the tops of the pistons...
Warranty will NOT cover it if the belts haven't been serviced at the recommended intervals, either...
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56 
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"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
Lifetime MemberIndianapolis, IN - USA
Joined: 9/3/2006
Posts: 2429
Vette(s): Silver 1974 Convertible - L82 4 speed
Low miles (was only 8,900 when I bought it in March 2006) - Now 54K miles. Original owner bought it as an investment for son's college expenses.
2008 Jetstream Blue Convertible
Thanks for the info Joel. I had no idea.
In my experience, I don't think I've ever actually had a belt break. I've always just had it done when the water pump went (since the engine's already torn down at that point). I suppose if I play the averages, I'm about due for one to break.
I wanted a Corvette my whole life, but I never dreamed of all the wonderful people I would meet because of it!
Manget,
Joel is right about the valves bending along with piston gouge on these "Rice Rockets" including some of the Ford side winder engines. They are all "interferences engines" as they interfere with your sleep and disbursement of you hard earned funds.
I second Joel's suggestion and have the timing belt changed, YESTERDAY..
Take care and good luck....
Sal C nosal1
Lifetime MemberModerator
Moses Lake, WA - USA
Joined: 4/16/2005
Posts: 2134
Vette(s): 1976 L48 4-spd, Mahogany Metalic exterior, Buckskin interior 350ci/350hp, 3rd owner, fiberglass spring, 255/50-16's Torq-Thrust II
$2200 sounds cheap to me too! I put a new belt in my sons Porsche 944 this summer while I was installing new seals on the front of the engine. Didn't want to take any chances also did all the pullies for the belt too. My daughters MX-6 I put off, didn't know when it was changed, but getting to it was a roaly pain given how snug against the fender the motor was. We just sold it so now I can sleep at night
. So I say spend the money to replace the belt if you plan to keep the car a while. It might help with the resale should you sell it down the road.
. So I say spend the money to replace the belt if you plan to keep the car a while. It might help with the resale should you sell it down the road.
Get it done, either by them or someone you know that can do it. A broken timing chain can destroy an engine. I know this. Last year my Audi A6 Quattro threw a chain and the estimate for repair was $21K.....I scrapped the car for $2150 and was much better off for it. This is a crucial part of maintenance.
Good luck!
JC
My first Mercury Villager (Nissan engine) was a non-interference motor so I figured I run it until it broke.. 222,222 miles (Honest OD reading!) it snapped at a stop light in front of my customers location. We went to lunch, the Ford dealer towed it in a had me on the road later that afternoon.
All my vehicles since are interference and get belts when the say to. $450 is cheap. A Honda minivan is now at $1,000.
Only 34 years together
johnu said:
All my vehicles since are interference and get belts when the say to. $450 is cheap. A Honda minivan is now at $1,000.
Second that! Just spent almost exactly $1000 on my wife's 2007 Odyssey (Honda Minivan) for a timing belt. Included new water pump, hydraulic tensioner, idler pulley, serpentine accessory belt, and oil change. Dealer wanted $1500. I thought about doing it myself (briefly) but then thought about how much I would have to pay for the Honda OEM parts, the amount of time it would take me to do it (at least a full weekend), the fact that I don't have a lift, and the worry that I would break something on the car we rely on most out of our four to get our kids around and said.....Nah! $1000 is cheap! And the V-6 Honda engine is most definitely an interference engine.
I'll never forget 16 years ago when we were just dating, we were on our way to a college football game and her '87 Acura (Honda) Integra -- that I picked out for her -- just quit at a stop light. I tried to restart it a couple of times but all I succeeded in doing was bending all eight intake valves. Entire head had to be rebuilt. And then the top end was so tight oil started blowing by the piston rings and we had to add oil every time we put gas in. Got rid of that rig a few months later.....
1976 Silver/Firethorn. L48, 4spd. Original 2 bolt, vortec heads, 9.4:1 CR, Speed Pro Cam: 224/224@0.050, 112 LSA, Eagle Steel Crank.
in Forum: General Non-Vette Discussion
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