What is the recommended interval for the timing belt change ?

I have a '96 B2300 with ~85K on it and he original timing belt. I wanted to change the serpentine belt and my mechanic said he'll take a look at the timing belt. It's not cracked or anything but he says that after 8 years it should be changed.

What do you think ?

 

It probably wouldn't be a bad idea. I had a belt on a 94 Escort lose a few teeth. It did no damage to the engine, as the engine is a non-interference design, but it did cost me about $400 in parts, labor and towing.

 

The timing belt on my '96 B2300 broke at 195,200 miles. The 2.3 is a non-interference engine and a broken belt isn't a disaster. However, it was darn inconvenient that it broke in the middle of a very busy intersection. If you plan on keeping your truck very much longer, its likely that the belt will break sooner or latter. I would recommend replacing it at a time and place of your choosing rather than waiting for it to break on its own.

 

Oh, I have no plan on waiting for it to break but I wanted to estimate if it is time for me to replace it. You say yours lasted 195K. I'm not even half way there. How many years did it last ?

I was thinking of doing the job myself but noticed that a special tool is requiered so I'm just going to call a few places and have them qoute me on the price. It seems a little big of a job for my skills.

 

recommended interval is 60k to 100k miles. i changed mine at 230k miles and it did not break. i figured i had better change it for precautionary reasons. you can do it your self. you dont need the special tool, but you do need an impact wrech with a high torque rating for the crankshaft bolt and a harmonic balancer puller.

 

NOW!!!!!

why put it off it's cheaper now than later

 

The recommended time is somewhere between 85k and 100K. I did mine at 90k along with new plugs. Definitely go with the Motorcraft part on something this important.

 

I'M SERIOUS! it use to be my dad's truck and he never maintained it other than oil unless something broke or went bad. when i got a hold of it i started replacing worn out parts. i changed the timing belt because it started to thump on the timing cover.

 

I took a pick at the timing belt by moving the cover a little bit and using a flashlight. It looks very good. No cracks or broken teeth at all. I think I'm not going to change it yet unless something happens that will require digging into the engine which will give me a good oppertunity to do it.

The serpentine belt I'm going to replace this weekend. It's starting to crack and I already got a new one from my local pepboys.

 

nothing but basic hand tools and a prybar. do a t stat while you're in there. its an extra $5.

jason

 

What is a t stat ?

 

thermostat

 

Mine broke at 170,000 miles....only a mile from home. Change it now, if only just to save the inconvenience of having to tow it home home it does break. It's easy to change and the belt is cheap.

 

Mine broke at 103,000 when I was about seven miles from home. I knew it needed to be replaced and I kept putting it off.

 

Not sure I'm writing in the correct forum here but, after reading all of the above, I want to clarify something. So it's my hubby's truck and his timing belt broke last week Towed it to the shop and had the repair done. When we picked it up it turns out the valves are bent. It no longer runs the same, not as much power & he can't really get above 30mph. So, he has to avoid freeways. It really sucks as the truck is pretty much the family's bread & butter for his garden business. I just don't understand how this is happening if his model is a non-interfering???