timing belt looks fine, should i still change it?

[matt.matolcsi]

What's up Everyone!

My '01 Elantra is around ~76,000mi, so I know it's getting to be about time to change the timing belt. But, today I took off the cover (that was a lot easier than I thought), took a bunch of pictures, and I can't find anything wrong with it! There's not a single crack on it, no dust, and none of the teeth are missing.

There was some oil that had somehow gotten sprayed around the bottom left belt cover screw. Don't know how that happened, but none of it was on the belt.

So, should I change it anyway? The owner's manual says that in CA, the timing belt should be inspected at 60,000mi, not replaced (although it never actually requires a replacement at any mileage,) and we got the car in CA. I drive under 10mi a day and let the engine warm up before I go anywhere, and I'm a pretty gentle driver. The belt's getting to be about 7 years old now, I guess.

Any help or experience would be awesome!

[Cypher]

It is supposed to be replaced at 60k, not inspected. YES replace it, though it may look fine; things can change drastically and for al you know the next day the teeth could shear off or the belt could just snap. Its a cheap thing to get done but gives you alot of peace of mind

[05xd]

Please for the love of Jeebus replace it! Belts are cheap and engines aren't

[SuperGLS]

I'm feeling your pain on this one Matt. I'm just shy of 67K and I need to do mine as well.

Welcome to EXD.

[WytchDctr]

The reason for the 60k inspect in California has something to do with there warranty laws. Nothing to do with cali getting a special timing belt.

[cbogg]

yeah, just because you can't see cracks, doesn't mean they aren't forming. and it could be in a spot you just can't see (ie. around the bottom of the motor, or in the very corner of the tooth). and you have to remember, that thing is made of rubber (synthetic or otherwise) and some other stuff, that doesn't last for ever. You may have less than 70k on the belt, but it IS 7 years old, you wouldn't leave a set of tires on your car that long, even if they "looked good" now woulda? CHANGE IT! lol

[quickfingerz]

I'm waiting until 100K.

Best way to warm up your car is to drive it immediately and drive it gently.

[BobMs_wht2k2]

5 years, or 60k miles. You're over on BOTH. At the dealer I saw a couple J2's snap belts at about 80k because the owners were cheapskates that didn't feel preventative maintenance was necessary. They ended up buying used engines. Waiting to 100k is like playing Russian roulette. Sure, you've got 5 empty chambers, but one is still loaded and will kill you. Is it worth being cheap now and ruining an engine later?

To the OP, you're about 40 miles from me, if you need someone to do it, PM me.

[only1db]

^ actually its 4 years or 60k...


i would replace it!!! yesterday!

[silet]

This is what mine looked like at 72 K miles, but I still changed it...

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c39/silet/DSCF0603.jpg

[evan938]

well, timing belt service here is 450, new engine is 300. :) lol

[only1db]

300 for a junkyard motor...but not installed.

[Keyan]

and the belt probably hasnt been changed on the used motor either, haha

[only1db]

aint that the truth!! hahaha

[jasonious]

Hello all. I have had my elantra for 66800 or so miles and I had all 4 (?) of the engine's belts at the suggested 60,000 mile service by the dealer because they said - and I think I saw it in the owner's manual somewhere- that the 100,000 mile powertrain warranty would be voided if this service was not done at 60K. I could be wrong but I thought I would throw that out there- (mine is a 2004).

[evan938]

who said anything about labor costs?

[Power of Dreams]

who said anything about labor costs?

Then, what's the point?

[cbogg]

yeah, cuz parts, minus labor (unless you're doing it yourself), doesn't mean anything. I'm sure if you looked on ebay hard enough, you could find a lambo for $1. But the shipping is $200 grand. now, did you really pay a buck for a lambo?

[optimoprime]

well, timing belt service here is 450, new engine is 300. :) lol

you got that right infact when i bought mine it had 12 month parts and labor warrenty with it for 425. for the extra 125 i feel like its definatly worth it.


change the timing belt but you can wait on the water pump it will be fine till 120k ish

[BobMs_wht2k2]

change the timing belt but you can wait on the water pump it will be fine till 120k ish

And that blanket statement isn't necessarily true either. My "other wife's" 01 had a nasty bearing sound/feel when I pulled it apart.

[kylemorg]

^ My water pump was leaking at 38K miles / 4.5 years when I had the timing belt replaced on my 2002 Elantra GT. The water pump was replaced under warranty.

[ilanpro]

I have close to 160K with the original Belt on