Timing Belt Change

[nfpgasmask]

I thought that our VXs had a non-interference engine. So if the timing belt went it would not cause engine failure. Can anyone clarify

I am 99.99% certain you are correct. Engine damage from a broken timing belt would most likely NOT occur. However, I don't want to find out what does happen when something goes wrong under there.

Bart

[tom4bren]

The jury is still out on the interference issue. The specs indicate a positive clearance on the valves so THEORETICALLY yes, loss of the timing belt won't trash your engine. I'm not going to be the one to find out.

[nfpgasmask]

I'm not going to be the one to find out.

x2...

Bart

[VXR]

The jury is still out on the interference issue. The specs indicate a positive clearance on the valves so THEORETICALLY yes, loss of the timing belt won't trash your engine. I'm not going to be the one to find out

so no one has ever had one fail???

[deermagnet]

This comes from a training course for Isuzu techs on the new '98 3.5L engine.
We have a non-interference engine-



Mark Griffin

[psychos2]

Just the fact that it is way easier to change when all the cams are lined up properly is all I would need to know. If the cams get out of time it is a pain to get them back in time. It is much easier to get everything lined up ,remove old belt ,install new belt with marks aligned and be sure that you will not be taking it back apart. I used the instructions from the vx manual, it was a piece of cake. If you are using an aftermarket belt , make sure to put marks on the belt before you remove it and make sure they line up with the marks on the new belt. The marks on mine were off it was a good thing I marked it and counted the teeth between the marks to make sure they were correct. It took maybe 5 to 6 hours. I remember someone saying that they had bent valves from a timing belt failure. So the jury is still out on the interference issue. The question is do you want to take the chance of having to also remove the heads and replace valves when you install the new belt? shawn

[psychos2]

There is an easy way to make sure you do not screw up the timing when changing the belt. Do the step to line up the marks by turning the motor.Once the marks are lined up take a paint marker and make a mark on the pulley were the notch is and also make a mark on the belt in the same place so they line up. Do this to both cam pulleys and the crank pulley. Also make sure to mark on the belt which mark is for which pulley ( crank ,left cam, right cam). And make sure you know what direction the belt turns. Then you can remove the belt. Take the old belt and count the teeth between the marks on the old belt,and make the same marks on the new belt,you should have the same amount of teeth between the marks on the old belt and the marks on the new belt. It is very important to get this right ,so double check . Install the new belt and line up the correct marks with the correct marks on each pulley and use some spring clips to hold them in place.When changing the belt the important thing is that you get the belt on with the same distance between the marks on the pulleys. You could line up the pulleys perfect with the marks and put the belt on with it one tooth off and you now have the motor out of time.If you mark the belt count the teeth and make sure the correct amount of teeth are between each mark you will only have to do it once. And do not trust the marks that are on the new belt as being correct, mine were not. shawn

[nfpgasmask]

Yeah, changing the timing belt really is not exactly difficult, but it is involved because you have to remove so much stuff to get to it. You also need to have the right tools on hand and the concentration/time to get it done.

To be perfectly honest, my timing belt looked absolutely fine when I took it off. No cracks or anything. But I had such a bad coolant leak it was a good job to get done along with changing my water pump.

Bart

[JAMAS]

This comes from a training course for Isuzu techs on the new '98 3.5L engine.
We have a non-interference engine-



Mark Griffin

Well shoot!.....

I could have been using my DEWALT 1/2" 18-Volt Hammer Drill right now instead of being comfortable in the fact that my timing belt wont break.

Oh well, responsible decisions continue to take away my fun.