Do I need to change the timing belt ?
 

I have a June 2004 Mazda 3 1.6 petrol that has covered only 13,000 miles.

Should I consider chaing the timing belt ? I don't know what the recommend amount of miles is for a change, but I guess 60,00 so I am way under it, but what about time ? the car/belt is now coming up to 8 years old.

The vehicle is kept at my holiday home in France so gets little use (hence the milage) am I being over cautious at this milage I would only change the belt (forget the w/pump and tensioner).

Has anyone got a rough idea of time to do this for a compitant DIYer

Many thanks in advance

Ian

I think the cover over the belt comes off for inspection - i'd say to inspect it & see if it's dry-rotted / cracked etc... Just looking through the manual, the timing chain / belt isn't on the maintenance schedule - not sure what's up with that.

Assuming the 1.6L models are similar to the 2.0 and 2.3L models in the US the engine has a timing chain, not a belt. The chain is supposed to be for the life of the engine so it's not on the maintenance schedule.