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How do you know when to replace the timing belt, other than the obvious??? What are some signs, sounds, anything to look out for when driving or idling that would signify the timing belt going???<P>I would take the cover off and look at it, but that would take an hour or two, so I kinda need some other way.<P>Thanks a lot, Aiden.

Its hard to tell when the timing belt is about to go because all of its symptoms could be related to numerous things. You might have rough idle and an obvious lack of performance from belt slippage. The only way to be certain is to take it to a mechanic you trust and have them check belts and hoses. It usually only cost about 20 bucks [img]shrug.gif"%20border="0[/img]

Ummm no. To check the timing belt you have to actually open up the engine which takes about 4-5 hours of labour alone...

if you have over 60K miles, its time to change it according to the manual. I personally changed my RS's (1995) @ 102K, but thats only cause I dont drive my RS aggressivly.

I've been told they need to be changed every 80-90k km. Sometimes if you hear a ticking sound down by where the belt is, it could also be a sign to get it checked out.

I've been told by several people that it needs to be changed every 100k km. That's just to be safe though, depending on the belt it can last longer, I got my belt changed last Novemeber and the belt had about 125k km on it.<P>And yes it takes about 4-5 hours of labour so it can be expensive if you are not doing it yourself.

I just changed my timing belt on my 94 with a V6. 3.7 hours of labour + $146 belt = $393 (Canadian dollars). My MX-3 has 169,000 km's so the original timing belt got me that far.

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Aiden:<BR><STRONG>How do you know when to replace the timing belt, other than the obvious??? What are some signs, sounds, anything to look out for when driving or idling that would signify the timing belt going???<P>I would take the cover off and look at it, but that would take an hour or two, so I kinda need some other way.<P>Thanks a lot, Aiden. </STRONG><HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>I experienced a failed timing belt on a Suzuki Swift GTi, it gave no sign of deterioration prior to failing. It didn't break, either. All of the belt teeth sheared off. The GTi engine is an interference engine. I had to buy eight new exhaust valves but thankfully I didn't have to buy any new pistons.

Well, in my case it is when the new engine is going in the car. My engine is burning oil so I picked up another engine. Rather than swapping the water pump and timing belt to the new engine since I don't know how old they are, it is just easier to put new ones in. That way I'm not paying any more than the cost of parts (compared to what I'd be paying for the swap) and I know they are both brand new. <BR>Steve

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by sk94gs:<BR><STRONG>I just changed my timing belt on my 94 with a V6. 3.7 hours of labour + $146 belt = $393 (Canadian dollars). My MX-3 has 169,000 km's so the original timing belt got me that far.</STRONG><HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>My car has about 225,000 km's on it now. I changed the timing belt back at 210,000km. I have no idea when it was lasted changed before that but it had to have been changed at least once before when I bought the car at 130,000km. If I remember correctly I paid $100(CDN) for the belt plus $350(CDN) for labour.

I see. Thanks for the input. Just to be safe I think I'll do it SOON because I hate my car not moving! Thanks!