TIMING BELT...MILEAGE or AGE...???

[VX crazy]

We do have the non interference engine in the vx

[JAMAS]

We do have the non interference engine in the vx

I wouldn't want to be the first person to put that to the test.

Anyone lose a timing belt and still have that engine?

[VX crazy]

its been discussed and verified from Isuzu, someone posted the technical info a long time ago

[circmand]

protects the belt from UV rays you have to remember when driving and extended period of time heat builds up under the hood which will affect the life of the belt and everytime you start the engine forces are put on the belt going from stopped to speed. Like a lot of things it is not the regular operation that puts the worst stress on an item it is the chaging from one stage to another.

[VX crazy]

serpentine belt and timing belt two different things people! how are uv rays going to affect the timing belt which is not exposed???????????

[tom4bren]

& remember the thread on tire dry rot???

It appears that it's ozone rather than UV that is the primary contributor to dry rot.

[samneil2000]

I don't know if mine has ever been replaced. I figured it will get replaced when it breaks. I'll let ya know how that goes.

[tom4bren]

I don't know if mine has ever been replaced. I figured it will get replaced when it breaks. I'll let ya know how that goes.

We've seen the pix. You'll be armpit deep in TN gumbo when that happens.

[samneil2000]

Man, that would suck. I actually haven't had it in anything that nasty since then. I'm not real big on trying to get all that mud out from under all the hiding places.

We've seen the pix. You'll be armpit deep in TN gumbo when that happens.

Back O/T: I guess losing a timing belt while on a precarious incline or other off-road situation would make things interesting. I would imagine the brakes wouldn't have a lot of holding power once the engine dies.

[JoFotoz]

In my chat with the head mechanic at St Charles yesterday , when I asked ..

..... he confirmed our engine is the "no interference" variety.

He said NO issues with it breaking.

So..changed my mind....Think I'm gonna get a spare belt for now......and keep

jo

[nfpgasmask]

My water pump was leaking pretty bad so I changed my belt, pump, tensioner and a few other things at 90k. To my eye, the belt looked fine. No cracking visible but I don't think you can see stretching in the belt with your eyes.

Personally Jo, I think you will be fine given the amount of miles you haven't put on your VX. However, if you are leaking coolant from around the water pump (will be visible on the timing covers) then I would go ahead and change it.

Otherwise, you will likely be fine for a while longer I would think.

Bart

[circmand]

serpentine belt and timing belt two different things people! how are uv rays going to affect the timing belt which is not exposed???????????

Stress from starting and stopping in addition to extreme heat.

[RallyDude]

Jo Fotoz,
Chances are your are not going to know where your going to breakdown and a timing belt isn't something you are going to repair roadside. If you don't mind getting towed for a few extra years of service, go ahead. But with ozone destroying the belt, wait for it to happen and then buy the belt and the new one should last longer.

[JoFotoz]

With a spare belt and 200 miles AAA towing...

Jo Fotoz,
Chances are your are not going to know where your going to breakdown and a timing belt isn't something you are going to repair roadside. If you don't mind getting towed for a few extra years of service, go ahead. But with ozone destroying the belt, wait for it to happen and then buy the belt and the new one should last longer.

....I think its a good precaution.

jo

[alterastro]

My experience has been that belts are usually 60,000 mile OR 6 years, whichever comes first (replace 60,000 and 6 with whatever is relevant to the particular model), but rubber won't last forever. I've just replaced mine at 50,000 miles, but 13 years old. I'd certainly be worried if I had one over 10 years old that hadn't been done, no matter what the mileage.

Nick