Okay, here's the deal...the Owners Manual for my 2001 Protege SE says the timing belt should be inspected at 60K but changed at 100,500 miles. Why then is everyone changing it at 60K...because the dealer says to?

 

Beacuse it's better to change it before it breaks.

Broken timing belt = bad

 

Isn't it bad because you will cease to go zoom zoom, but what I understand, it doesn't break anything and require a head replacement like the older models...if I'm wrong, please tell me.

 

That's good to know, but I'd rather not be stranded on the side of the road with a broken timing belt. I can't even count the number of times I've had that happen.

Preventative maintenence (when it's possible) is still the way to go. That way, you can schedule your timing belt replacement.

 

But isn't it still crazy that the dealer is trying to get us to come in at 60K and charge us up the ying yang for this?
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according to my service records mine broke at 90,000mis, this is a first gen though... service interval says change at 60,000

 

I think they've improved the belt and timing system since first gen...even my Volvo's timing belt is at 100K...and that's when the service department says they will do it. My '94 850 Turbo Volvo wagon was at 75K....so, my question for these 3rd gen timing belts is still not answered....any takers on this?

 

In my old car (A '96 Chrylser Cirrus), the timing belt had to be changed prematurely. At around 85,000 mles, the water pump went, and to replace it, the timing belt had to be removed.

And you can't just re-use a timing belt...once it's off, you need to replace it.

It didn't cost that much. The manual said change it at 105K, but after 85K, it was pretty worn and should have been replaced anyways. That's why they say 'inspect at 60,000.'

Just take a look at it, if it looks worn, replace it. Luckily, if it does break, it won't mess up the engine (my Cirrus had an interference engine, and if the timing belt were to snap, major major problems would result).

 

My old '85 CRX belt broke after doing about 110mph on the freeway with another honda. As I was rolling off the freeway on the off-ramp, the think broke, somewhere around 80mph. Did a jobbie on the valves. $900 later I was driving again. I guess it wasn't non-interference, eh?