Timing belt: did you change it, did it break on you?

This is inspired by the other thread. For Camry owners especially (but
feel free to answer if you have another model, just name it):

1. Did your timing belt break on you? At how many miles? Did you get
warning (strange noises) or was it a sudden surprise?

2. Did you change it on your own, before it broke? Again, at how many
miles?

Kiran

On Sun, 26 Jun 2005 04:54:30 GMT, Kiran <kiran@no.email> wrote:
[color=blue]
>1. Did your timing belt break on you? At how many miles? Did you get
>warning (strange noises) or was it a sudden surprise?[/color]

I've had four timing belts go... a Pinto, twice in a '91 Escort, and
once in a '90 Geo Storm.
In all but one case, it was either at startup, or when hitting the gas
to leave a green light with no warning. In one case, the engine
started to lose power, then the trans started downshifting out of
overdrive. About 10 miles later it died and would not restart.

I don't know if the Pinto was "hurt"... we dumped it without fixing
it. The Escort and Geo were not damaged by the failure.


--- Rich
[url]http://richlockyer.tripod.com/[/url]

On Sun, 26 Jun 2005 04:54:30 GMT, Kiran <kiran@no.email> wrote:
[color=blue]
>This is inspired by the other thread. For Camry owners especially (but
>feel free to answer if you have another model, just name it):
>
>1. Did your timing belt break on you? At how many miles? Did you get
>warning (strange noises) or was it a sudden surprise?
>
>2. Did you change it on your own, before it broke? Again, at how many
>miles?
>
>Kiran[/color]

I had an 89 Escort.

Timing belt broke the first time at ~58K miles and replaced under
warranty. Happened at a stop light. No damage

Timing belt broke again at ~115,000...again at a light if I recall
correctly.

Timing belt replaced at 170,000 to make sure it didn't happen again.

Car caught fire at 198,000 so I got rid of it.

Lesson on Ford's?

Change the timing belt before the 60K

I've stretched the interval on my Corolla's by 5 k with no worries.
--

Scott in Florida

In article <9u5tb19bq82kbbaf7ksqa0pjchle8c607o@4ax.com>,
Scott in Florida <JustAsk@Florida.com> wrote:
[color=blue]
> On Sun, 26 Jun 2005 04:54:30 GMT, Kiran <kiran@no.email> wrote:
>[color=green]
> >This is inspired by the other thread. For Camry owners especially (but
> >feel free to answer if you have another model, just name it):
> >
> >1. Did your timing belt break on you? At how many miles? Did you get
> >warning (strange noises) or was it a sudden surprise?
> >
> >2. Did you change it on your own, before it broke? Again, at how many
> >miles?
> >
> >Kiran[/color]
>
> I had an 89 Escort.
>
> Timing belt broke the first time at ~58K miles and replaced under
> warranty. Happened at a stop light. No damage
>
> Timing belt broke again at ~115,000...again at a light if I recall
> correctly.
>
> Timing belt replaced at 170,000 to make sure it didn't happen again.
>
> Car caught fire at 198,000 so I got rid of it.
>
> Lesson on Ford's?
>
> Change the timing belt before the 60K
>
> I've stretched the interval on my Corolla's by 5 k with no worries.[/color]

Wonder if I should change the timiing belt on my 89 Isuzu Trooper II.
It has 70k miles and never been changed. It's an interference engine....
--

On Sun, 26 Jun 2005 04:54:30 +0000, Kiran wrote:
[color=blue]
> This is inspired by the other thread. For Camry owners especially (but
> feel free to answer if you have another model, just name it):
>
> 1. Did your timing belt break on you? At how many miles? Did you get
> warning (strange noises) or was it a sudden surprise?[/color]

Maintenance? What's maintenance?

TWICE!!! 120,000 miles each time. '85 Corolla GTS, Non-Interference (thank
God!)

[color=blue]
>
> 2. Did you change it on your own, before it broke? Again, at how many
> miles?[/color]

I haven't got that much time. It took the dealer 1.5 hours, with all the
tools and a lift; it's a Twin Cam to boot. Would have taken me prolly 6
hours. My time's more valuable than that. Last change was $225.
[color=blue]
>
> Kiran[/color]

On Sun, 26 Jun 2005 11:59:45 +0000, Scott in Florida wrote:
[color=blue]
> On Sun, 26 Jun 2005 04:54:30 GMT, Kiran <kiran@no.email> wrote:
>[color=green]
>>This is inspired by the other thread. For Camry owners especially (but
>>feel free to answer if you have another model, just name it):
>>
>>1. Did your timing belt break on you? At how many miles? Did you get
>>warning (strange noises) or was it a sudden surprise?
>>
>>2. Did you change it on your own, before it broke? Again, at how many
>>miles?
>>
>>Kiran[/color]
>
> I had an 89 Escort.
>
> Timing belt broke the first time at ~58K miles and replaced under
> warranty. Happened at a stop light. No damage
>
> Timing belt broke again at ~115,000...again at a light if I recall
> correctly.
>
> Timing belt replaced at 170,000 to make sure it didn't happen again.
>
> Car caught fire at 198,000 so I got rid of it.
>
> Lesson on Ford's?[/color]

Sell it before it burns?
[color=blue]
>
> Change the timing belt before the 60K
>
> I've stretched the interval on my Corolla's by 5 k with no worries.[/color]

The belt in my '93 Camry was changed at about 65,000 miles. I'd just
bought the car a few thousand miles prior -- I asked the mechanic to
toss the old one in the trunk. It looked almost new to me and the mech
said "yeah it's good".

I'm at about 70,000 miles on that new belt -- I'll worry about it in
another 20,000.

Kiran wrote:[color=blue]
>
> This is inspired by the other thread. For Camry owners especially (but
> feel free to answer if you have another model, just name it):
>
> 1. Did your timing belt break on you? At how many miles? Did you get
> warning (strange noises) or was it a sudden surprise?[/color]

'92 Geo Tracker, just died from broken belt at 145,521 miles. It took me
as long to get all of the small piece of the broken belt cleaned up as
to change the belt. Was still running at 197978 when I got a different
vehicle.
Stan[color=blue]
>
> 2. Did you change it on your own, before it broke? Again, at how many
> miles?
>
> Kiran[/color]

Gen. III, timing belt replacement interval: 60,000 miles. If you change
them at the recommended interval, they don't break.
Did my own work.
Found several errors and damagae inflicted by prior mechanics.
Copy of my own records follows: (by the way, I learned to do this by
reading online groups and the service manuals. When I first purchased
the car, didn't even know how to change the air filter element)

Major Servicing: 120,124 miles:
Replace: timing belt, crankshaft oil seal, oil pump oil seal, oil pump
O-ring, camshaft oil seal, idler bearing, idler tensioner bearing,
timing cover gasket set, valve cover gasket, ck valve clearances, PCV
valve, PCV valve grommet, oil cap gasket, distributor O-ring,
distributor cap, rotor, distributor packing, spark plug wires, spark
plugs, fuel filter, air filter, ck. battery, oil pan gasket,
transmission pan gasket, water pump, thermostat, radiator cap, gas cap,
differential service, engine moving control rod, accessory drive belts:
power steering pump, A/C - alternator, alternator brushes, ck. chassis
mounting bolt torque, set ignition timing
-----------
Try pricing that list at the dealer, and then see if it's worth your
time.
With a few special tools, and most importantly the right attitude, the
process can flow smoothly and be rewarding and enjoyable. If you take
your time and do it right, there's a certain trust and satisfacton that
results in knowing all is as it should be.

Kiran wrote:[color=blue]
>
> This is inspired by the other thread. For Camry owners especially (but
> feel free to answer if you have another model, just name it):
>
> 1. Did your timing belt break on you? At how many miles? Did you get
> warning (strange noises) or was it a sudden surprise?
>
> 2. Did you change it on your own, before it broke? Again, at how many
> miles?
>
> Kiran[/color]

I've never had a car with a timing belt. Mine all use either
gears or chains, none have worn out before the rest of the
motor wore out. My personal opinion is that critical internal
motor parts should be designed to last the life of the motor,
not be routine maintenance items that upon failure will
damage the motor beyond economical repair.

JazzMan
--
**********************************************************
Please reply to jsavage"at"airmail.net.
Curse those darned bulk e-mailers!
**********************************************************
"Rats and roaches live by competition under the laws of
supply and demand. It is the privilege of human beings to
live under the laws of justice and mercy." - Wendell Berry
**********************************************************

On Sun, 26 Jun 2005 12:47:09 GMT, Hachiroku <Trueno@ae86.gts> wrote:
[color=blue]
>On Sun, 26 Jun 2005 11:59:45 +0000, Scott in Florida wrote:
>[color=green]
>> On Sun, 26 Jun 2005 04:54:30 GMT, Kiran <kiran@no.email> wrote:
>>[color=darkred]
>>>This is inspired by the other thread. For Camry owners especially (but
>>>feel free to answer if you have another model, just name it):
>>>
>>>1. Did your timing belt break on you? At how many miles? Did you get
>>>warning (strange noises) or was it a sudden surprise?
>>>
>>>2. Did you change it on your own, before it broke? Again, at how many
>>>miles?
>>>
>>>Kiran[/color]
>>
>> I had an 89 Escort.
>>
>> Timing belt broke the first time at ~58K miles and replaced under
>> warranty. Happened at a stop light. No damage
>>
>> Timing belt broke again at ~115,000...again at a light if I recall
>> correctly.
>>
>> Timing belt replaced at 170,000 to make sure it didn't happen again.
>>
>> Car caught fire at 198,000 so I got rid of it.
>>
>> Lesson on Ford's?[/color]
>
>Sell it before it burns?[/color]

Never buy another is my answer...
[color=blue]
>[color=green]
>>
>> Change the timing belt before the 60K
>>
>> I've stretched the interval on my Corolla's by 5 k with no worries.[/color][/color]

--

Scott in Florida

Scott in Florida wrote:[color=blue]
> On Sun, 26 Jun 2005 12:47:09 GMT, Hachiroku <Trueno@ae86.gts> wrote:
>[color=green]
> >On Sun, 26 Jun 2005 11:59:45 +0000, Scott in Florida wrote:
> >[color=darkred]
> >> On Sun, 26 Jun 2005 04:54:30 GMT, Kiran <kiran@no.email> wrote:
> >>
> >>>This is inspired by the other thread. For Camry owners especially (but
> >>>feel free to answer if you have another model, just name it):
> >>>
> >>>1. Did your timing belt break on you? At how many miles? Did you get
> >>>warning (strange noises) or was it a sudden surprise?
> >>>
> >>>2. Did you change it on your own, before it broke? Again, at how many
> >>>miles?
> >>>
> >>>Kiran
> >>
> >> I had an 89 Escort.[/color][/color][/color]

DOH!
[color=blue][color=green][color=darkred]
> >>
> >> Timing belt broke the first time at ~58K miles and replaced under
> >> warranty. Happened at a stop light. No damage[/color][/color][/color]

OH NO!
[color=blue][color=green][color=darkred]
> >>
> >> Timing belt broke again at ~115,000...again at a light if I recall
> >> correctly.[/color][/color][/color]

DOH! OH NO!
[color=blue][color=green][color=darkred]
> >>
> >> Timing belt replaced at 170,000 to make sure it didn't happen again.
> >>
> >> Car caught fire at 198,000 so I got rid of it.[/color][/color][/color]

hahaha!!!! just funny
[color=blue][color=green][color=darkred]
> >>
> >> Lesson on Ford's?[/color][/color][/color]

get a torino and mortgage your house.
[color=blue][color=green]
> >
> >Sell it before it burns?[/color]
>
> Never buy another is my answer...
>[color=green]
> >[color=darkred]
> >>
> >> Change the timing belt before the 60K
> >>
> >> I've stretched the interval on my Corolla's by 5 k with no worries.[/color][/color][/color]

uh oh i have 94k and I'm gonna be driving it about 700 miles round trip
in one week soon.

Oh yeah I have a Toyota Corolla. No worries.

On Sun, 26 Jun 2005 12:43:27 +0000, Dbu_^ wrote:
[color=blue]
> In article <9u5tb19bq82kbbaf7ksqa0pjchle8c607o@4ax.com>,
> Scott in Florida <JustAsk@Florida.com> wrote:
>[color=green]
>> On Sun, 26 Jun 2005 04:54:30 GMT, Kiran <kiran@no.email> wrote:
>>[color=darkred]
>> >This is inspired by the other thread. For Camry owners especially (but
>> >feel free to answer if you have another model, just name it):
>> >
>> >1. Did your timing belt break on you? At how many miles? Did you get
>> >warning (strange noises) or was it a sudden surprise?
>> >
>> >2. Did you change it on your own, before it broke? Again, at how many
>> >miles?
>> >
>> >Kiran[/color]
>>
>> I had an 89 Escort.
>>
>> Timing belt broke the first time at ~58K miles and replaced under
>> warranty. Happened at a stop light. No damage
>>
>> Timing belt broke again at ~115,000...again at a light if I recall
>> correctly.
>>
>> Timing belt replaced at 170,000 to make sure it didn't happen again.
>>
>> Car caught fire at 198,000 so I got rid of it.
>>
>> Lesson on Ford's?
>>
>> Change the timing belt before the 60K
>>
>> I've stretched the interval on my Corolla's by 5 k with no worries.[/color]
>
> Wonder if I should change the timiing belt on my 89 Isuzu Trooper II.
> It has 70k miles and never been changed. It's an interference engine....[/color]


Are you a gambling man? At 70K on an Interference engine, I'd call for an
appointment tomorrow! Wonder why you don't see any older ones of these on
the road? They have a reputation of being a shit car 'cause the engine
blows. Perhaps if the owners would RTFM and change the belt when required...

(Um, present company excluded, of course! At least you ASKED!)

In article <pan.2005.06.26.15.50.15.156000@ae86.gts>,
Hachiroku <Trueno@ae86.gts> wrote:
[color=blue]
> On Sun, 26 Jun 2005 12:43:27 +0000, Dbu_^ wrote:
>[color=green]
> > In article <9u5tb19bq82kbbaf7ksqa0pjchle8c607o@4ax.com>,
> > Scott in Florida <JustAsk@Florida.com> wrote:
> >[color=darkred]
> >> On Sun, 26 Jun 2005 04:54:30 GMT, Kiran <kiran@no.email> wrote:
> >>
> >> >This is inspired by the other thread. For Camry owners especially (but
> >> >feel free to answer if you have another model, just name it):
> >> >
> >> >1. Did your timing belt break on you? At how many miles? Did you get
> >> >warning (strange noises) or was it a sudden surprise?
> >> >
> >> >2. Did you change it on your own, before it broke? Again, at how many
> >> >miles?
> >> >
> >> >Kiran
> >>
> >> I had an 89 Escort.
> >>
> >> Timing belt broke the first time at ~58K miles and replaced under
> >> warranty. Happened at a stop light. No damage
> >>
> >> Timing belt broke again at ~115,000...again at a light if I recall
> >> correctly.
> >>
> >> Timing belt replaced at 170,000 to make sure it didn't happen again.
> >>
> >> Car caught fire at 198,000 so I got rid of it.
> >>
> >> Lesson on Ford's?
> >>
> >> Change the timing belt before the 60K
> >>
> >> I've stretched the interval on my Corolla's by 5 k with no worries.[/color]
> >
> > Wonder if I should change the timiing belt on my 89 Isuzu Trooper II.
> > It has 70k miles and never been changed. It's an interference engine....[/color]
>
>
> Are you a gambling man? At 70K on an Interference engine, I'd call for an
> appointment tomorrow! Wonder why you don't see any older ones of these on
> the road? They have a reputation of being a shit car 'cause the engine
> blows. Perhaps if the owners would RTFM and change the belt when required...
>
> (Um, present company excluded, of course! At least you ASKED!)[/color]

Where did you hear they were blowing up. These little four cyl trooper
engines are one tough little mills. The early versions had a cracking
head problem, but that's long past. Mine is 16 years old now with very
little rust and the only things I've done to it is new starter, fuel
pump bracket, tires, plugs, brakes, muffler, tailpipe. That's it. I
suppose I'll have to get that belt changed. The book says 80K for
cambelt.
--

Daniel <nospampls2002@yahoo.com> wrote:

: Gen. III, timing belt replacement interval: 60,000 miles. If you change
: them at the recommended interval, they don't break.
: Did my own work.
: Found several errors and damagae inflicted by prior mechanics.
: Copy of my own records follows: (by the way, I learned to do this by
: reading online groups and the service manuals. When I first purchased
: the car, didn't even know how to change the air filter element)

I am inspired to try, at least for small things: I am an apartment
dweller, there is no convenient place to store tools or do work.

I'll start with air filters and spark plugs. They are due. That will
take care of tune up. :-)

Which manual do you recommend, Hays or Chilton? (98 Camry)