How can you tell if the timing belt needs to be changed other than mileage and the obvious snap, it's too late. I bought my GSR last September and the owner told me just changed it 6 mos before I bought it(She has 105k on the motor). The bottom part of the cam gears are exposed which shows the timing belt. Now when I watch my car idle then observe the timing belt, it seems as if it's a bit loose as the belt flexes or in my eyes, 'dances'. (Sorry for my lack of technical terminology knowledge for this description) Thoughts?

 

that's not going to tell you the wear and tear on the belt...that's just the tension which may be a bit off.

to check tension:
-remove valve cover
-remove upper timing belt cover
-mark timing belt across camgears/belt
-make 3 full rotations of the crank
-see if the marks line up again (or if they are off by the same amount)
-if they are ... it's tensioned properly
-if they aren't ... you belt is jumping teeth and your lucky you haven't fucked up anything just yet


to check wear and tear:
-look at belt
-see if any threads are showing
-if so
- how bad?
-if not
- check for part number (on belt)
- check for date written (on belt)

that should give you a better idea besides her word for yours

 

Thanks for the info man.

 

I think you need to check the cracks in the belt. Once the cracks reach a certain size then it needs replaced.

 

if it's got cracks at all it should be an early warning sign... and the T-belt is the last one you wanna wait too long to replace

 

Now that I think of it, that might have been for a ford. Go figure.

 

change it. i have my tools back again.

 

Crack length is not a reliable determinant. :ugh:

The factory replacement interval is 90k miles or every 6 years, whichever comes first. The timing belt is a crucial component, so whenever there is doubt, it is much cheaper in the long run to replace the belt.

Even the $400 a dealer would charge is a shitload cheaper that rebuilding a mulched head.

 

Not to rag on any one manufacturer, but that sounds like a Ford.
Besides, their Zetec motor is a non-interference design, I believe.

By comparison, all of the B-series motors are an interference design.
Having the T-belt snap is an expensive proposition, as pistons and valves will collide.

 

the interval on the timing belt on the 00+'s was increased to 105k... i wanted to goto the stealership to do the 105k and they want $1,250