Wrapper

The later 3.5 Nissan has timing chains, my 96 Maxima had them. It is a
great engine.
Ron[color=blue]
>
>[color=green]
> > As the belt accumulates miles, the constant bending every time it passes[/color]
> around a pulley plus constant exposure to heat causes the rubber to harden
> and become brittle. Little cracks start to appear in the rubber. These
> cracks are not serious as long as they're not too deep or cause chunks
> of rubber to break loose. The constant stress, heat and bending also
> weakens the fibers that make up the reinforcing cords. Eventually the
> point is reached where something gives and the belt fails.
>
> Until recently, the incidence of failure peaked sharply after about 60,000 miles,
> so the vehicle manufacturers mostly recommended replacing the best at
> 60,000 mile intervals. On newer engines, this interval has been extended
> to as much as 100,000 miles thanks to improved belt materials.
>
> So what happens if you don't replace the belt? Maybe nothing. Some belts just
> keep going and going and will last the life of the engine. Others may fail
> at 60,001 miles or even sooner. Since no one can predict the exact mileage
> at which a timing belt will fail, the safest bet is to follow the vehicle
> manufacturer's recommendations.
>[color=green]
> > Engines with timing belts that are at risk for this type of damage include:[/color]
> # All Accura four cylinder, five cylinder and V6 engines
> # Audi 1.6L and 2.0L diesel engines
> # Buick Skyhawk 1.8L and 2.0L engines
> # Chevrolet Geo Metro 1.0L three cylinder engines
> # Chevrolet Geo Spectrum and Prizm 1.5L and 1.6L engines
> # Chevy Luv pickup truck 2.2L diesel engines
> # Dodge and Plymouth Colt 1.5L and 1.6L engines
> # Eagle Summit and Vista 1.5L and 1.6L engines
> # Eagle Talon 2.0L engines
> # 1981-85 Ford Escort (and Mercury Lynx) 1.6L engines
> # 1985 Ford Tempo and Ranger pickup 2.0L diesel engines
> # Ford Probe 2.0L engines
> # All Honda four cylinder engines
> # All Hyundai four cylinder engines
> # Infinity 3.0L V6 engines
> # All Isuzu four cylinder engines
> # Mazda 2.2L four cylinder and 3.0L V6 engines
> # Mitsubishi 1.5L, 1.6L and 2.0L engines
> # All Nissan engines
> # All Porsche engines
> # Suzuki 1.3L engines
> # Toyota Tercel 1.5L engines
> # Toyota pickup 2.2L and 2.4L diesel engines
> # Volkswagen 1.5L and 1.6L diesel engines
> # All Volvo four cylinder engines
> # All Yugo engines (if any are still running).[/color]