timing belt / drive belts /wp -$1066, opinions?

[i12drivemyMP5]

Timing belt tensioner has a spring, it gets weak after so long & won't keep the belt as tight as it should. No slippy there for me thanks. As far as rubber products go, they age whether you use them or not would be my guess on the time thing. Kinda like how tires dry rot.

 

[mazdaddy]

Last time I had a timing belt changed it cost me $600- but that was on a Toyota 7yrs ago----I'll be looking at changing the P5's in the next month or so---Not At A Stealership!!! I'll most likely have the timing belt/serpentine belt/hoses all done at the same time, may have the water pump done too if Ian & Michael @ Mekatron agree it needs to go...

 

[winston3x]

just went back for a more detailed explaination.
they said the drive belts were showing some cracking so they think the timing belt would be too, given the age. they didn't pull the cover.

I'm going to have to err on the side of caution here, but find another shop that will let me bring everything in and guarnatee the work. thanks everyone

 

[CTt3P5]

Hey, just saw this thread. I am currently contemplating changing my own (only thing holding me back is it would be my first time ever messing with timing.

My 02 auto is currently at 101k and here is my itemized list of parts I am thinking of buying:

Timing Belt
Idler
Tensioner
Water Pump
Water Pump Gasket
Thermostat
Thermostat Gasket
Upper Hose
Lower Hose
Camshaft Seal
Crankshaf Seal
AC/PS Belt
Alternator Belt
Valve Cover Gasket - have already

So far I have a quote of $370 shipped for parts. I have gotten mixed reviews as well in regards to the tensioner ($125). Some say to replace it while you have everything apart (bearings could be bad and then you would have to tear it back down) and others have said it would be fine.

For now that is my contribution....

 

[Jayman555]

I spoke to the dealer, and they said they only change the spring not the actual tensioner. I wouldn't change the pullies.

 

[Magus]

My theory is, you are already in there change the tensioner. If that wears out, the belt will not hold the timing, and you will have issues. It is not an expensive part, do not be cheap.

The timing belt is not exposed to the elements like the accessory belts, and should last longer. It is easy enough to look at the timing belt. All you need to do is remove the spark plugs, pcv value, and take the value cover off. This will expose the cams and the timing belt. I would mention that you should not remove the value cover unless you have a replacement gasket if the motor has a lot of miles. Things I did when doing the timing belt

changed accessory belts
water pump (was needed, but was in there already)
thermostat
hoses
timing belt
timing belt tensioner
installed UR UDP (not need but I did this since I was already there)
pcv

 

[CTt3P5]

Got a call back from my mechanic and he quoted me $700-750 + tax for all parts I listed above and labor.

He also mentioned spark plug tube seals???

 

[P-Funk!]

Rubber and especially belt materials have gotten *way* better. Old advice was replace after 3 (and later, 5) years no matter what. Now the manuals say inspect at 60K and replace at 105K (no 'or 7 years whichever comes first'). Same for hoses. Manual says inspect - but don't replace until it needs it. The manuals and the maint schedules are written by the engineers that designed it. Trust Them. They know more about this than you or me.

There have been no statiscally significant premature timing belt failures that i am aware of. And, we are a non-interference engine (see the Gates website) so the impact is the cost of a tow job.

meh. It is your money. Me? I waited until 105K and changed it. It looked fine.