Building up courage to do the Timing Belt job on my P5

[Bebotech]

Dear Mazda Colleagues,

I am trying to get the courage to take on the timing belt job on my P5. There are only two options, do it my self or pay a repair shop $540 to get it done. My water pump went bad 2 days ago and now I have to do it . My question is are there any seals on that side of the motor? if so, how many? and last but not least how hard are they to change? Since I became a member of this forum I have only gotten good advise so once again I am turning to you for help. Oh one last question, is this a job that could be done in one day?

Thanks!

 

[rit14623]

I chickened out and had the dealer do it.
I think the only seal to change on a timing belt change is the valve cover seal.

 

[Bebotech]

I watched a video on youtube and it seems like it is dummy proof I just want to make sure I make enough time and that if there are seals to replace I get them done as well. times are hard and I am trying to save money were ever it is possible. How much did the dealer charge?

 

[mp5la]

I've ordered the stuff to do mine, but I'm also a little hesitant to break into it. I went ahead and ordered the 2 camshaft seals and the front main seal just in case I need them. Otherwise I think the only absolutely necessary seals are the valve cover and the water pump gasket.

 

[rit14623]

I watched a video on youtube and it seems like it is dummy proof I just want to make sure I make enough time and that if there are seals to replace I get them done as well. times are hard and I am trying to save money were ever it is possible. How much did the dealer charge?

Somewhere around $400. I got it done earlier this year. They changed the water pump too.

 

[Bebotech]

And you say this was done by the Mazda Dealer?

 

[Bebotech]

mp5la there is a good video on youtube about the replacement of the timing belt. It seems like and easy job is just time consuming. If I had another vehicle I would jump on it in a heart beat. It seems like they made this process fool proof to be honest. I have never done one but, if the guy in the video is right I can do it.

 

[BOOSTR]

Check this link out. http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/show...tege-Timing-Belt-Change&highlight=timing+belt

 

[Nyshadow]

I had a Mechanic friend of mine help me with my timing belt. One issue we ran in to was getting the bolt off that holds the Crank pulley off. It was really on there. and the only other thing was getting the engine back in time. Everything else was straight forward.

 

[Bebotech]

I am confident I can do it is just that doing the seals has me kind of hesitant to go forward. Also the amount of time that this may take, this is my daily driver.

 

[thuzil]

If the front oil seal and cam seals are not leaking leave them alone.

 

[tweety2300]

It's not that bad, make sure you have a friend help when it comes to set the timing. Getting the timing set right is the only hard part. Just remember there is no good enough, if it's not set right you will have to pull it all apart and do it again

 

[Maroon]

Well, if the seals are your only worries, then you have no worries. Seals are easy, setting the timing is a giant pain in the ass. Having a friend is a good idea unless you determine that buying the special tool is worth it.

I kind of agree with the above poster about leaving the seals alone if they aren't leaking. I replaced my crank seal when I did the belt. It was not leaking before replacement, and ~40,000 miles later it started leaking pretty bad. Now I have that along with the burning oil issue. You think you're being preemptive and responsible, but may just be screwing yourself over. At least get quality seals if you do decide to replace them.

 

[Bebotech]

Thank you so much guys for your advise. Unfortunately this morning the car overheated and I might need a dawm head gasket. I don't know how to test if the head gasket is bad so I might be taking it to the mechanic and pay a fortune for the nice repair. How I wish the head and the gasket are ok!!!(notcool)

 

[rit14623]

And you say this was done by the Mazda Dealer?

Yes.

 

[mp5la]

Well, if the seals are your only worries, then you have no worries. Seals are easy, setting the timing is a giant pain in the ass. Having a friend is a good idea unless you determine that buying the special tool is worth it.

I kind of agree with the above poster about leaving the seals alone if they aren't leaking. I replaced my crank seal when I did the belt. It was not leaking before replacement, and ~40,000 miles later it started leaking pretty bad. Now I have that along with the burning oil issue. You think you're being preemptive and responsible, but may just be screwing yourself over. At least get quality seals if you do decide to replace them.

What brand of seal did you use when you did that?

 

[tweety2300]

For any seals go to Mazda, felpro doesnt seem to do very well on these cars except for cable cover gasket

 

[Maroon]

What brand of seal did you use when you did that?

Not sure at the moment. I bought it from RockAuto, but that doesn't mean much since the supply many brands. I should have the receipt at home and will check later.

EDIT: I think I mis diagnosed the leak. Just did an oil change and it looks like the leak is coming from higher up than the crank shaft seal. So maybe there is nothing wrong with the seal I bought.

 

[Bebotech]

Well the P5 is at the Garage is should be done today. I hope everything is well when I pick it up today. Thanks guys for all the advise.

 

[Bebotech]

So I got my timing belt done at a Shop for $540.00 but, when I picked it up they scratched the car from one end to the other. It seems that for me the cheap and easy way out ends up costing me more. Thanks guys for all the advise!