Timing Belt: How Hard?

[Rogue]

I'm nearing 60,000 miles. How hard is it to replace the timing belt? Would I need any special tools? Anything to look out for?

thanx
(2thumbs)

 

[WillisW555]

I'm nearing 60,000 miles. How hard is it to replace the timing belt? Would I need any special tools? Anything to look out for?

thanx
(2thumbs)

I'm not sure about mazda's but normally they are a PITA.

Bump

 

[BOOSTR]

There is a reason that auto shops charge what they do for this. Its above the shade tree mechanic level. If you are going to do, do it right, change your tensioner and get a new water pump as well.

 

[thewrench]

Hey, I know Luke, let's get everyone together and we can do yours and my cam gears/intake/motor mounts at the same time. Also, look for twilight's cam how-to, it'll tell you how to do the timng belt, too.

 

[RyanJayG]

its a PITA on our cars becaue its so close to the passenger inner fender well...

not fun... I'm changing mine while the engine's out though.

 

[Rogue]

what else is needed in the 60k tune up? timing belt, plugs, and what?

 

[thewrench]

(RTM) haha, been wanting to use that smilie.

 

[flat_black]

Water pump and tensioner, too, presumibly.

 

[thewrench]

Water pump and tensioner, too, presumibly.

I don't see these as wear items. I mean for overkill I guess you could change them, but then hell, why not just go ahead and change the alternator, power steering pump, starter, etc., etc. See what I mean? Those are items you change when they break. The timing belt is made to be changed at 60k, hopefully the water pump SHOULD last much longer than that.

 

[twilightprotege]

yeah have a look at my cam how to. it's about a 1 hour job for me to just do the timing belt (guess)

 

[flat_black]

At 60k, your water pump will probably be rattling badly, and your tensioner will be tired if you accidentally extend it more than 270 degrees. I've seen a couple of Protege's kill valves due to the belt hopping from a tired tensioner after a cam install. The water pumps on these cars just plain suck, too. =/

 

[RyanJayG]

At 60k, your water pump will probably be rattling badly, and your tensioner will be tired if you accidentally extend it more than 270 degrees. I've seen a couple of Protege's kill valves due to the belt hopping from a tired tensioner after a cam install. The water pumps on these cars just plain suck, too. =/

really? 3rd gens? I coulda sworn we were non interference

 

[flat_black]

I thought so, too, for the longest time, but such is not the case, according to everything I've been reading for factory manuals. Bleaugh.

 

[RyanJayG]

well if you are going to spin it hard enough to skip a tooth, then you are probably spinning it hard enough to float some valves after 60k miles. so maybe thats it

 

[flat_black]

I'm guessing that's what it is, in conjunction with stretched out rods and so on... Jeez, I'm just making myself paranoid about that, now. =P

 

[ogsp5]

I was checking the owner manual. It says check the belt not change. They
recommend the change at 104k miles (schedule #2 page 8-5)

 

[Replica]

Werd, I was about to freak out. Timing belt is usually a 100k+ miles replacement. 60k is way too soon. That's some DSM s***.

 

[Rogue]

ok...how do i know if it needs to be replaced?

 

[Rogue]

Because I'm asian my penis is small.

 

[Replica]

Because I'm asian my penis is small.

Sorry, it takes an average size penis to tackle a timing belt install.