So umm, when should I replace the timing belt?
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So umm, when should I replace the timing belt?
I have a 1994 ranger that I bought from new. It spends 99% of its time in my garage and we use it mainly on trips and to pull out camper. Its a 2.3 litre and has just turned over 55,000 miles. I change the oil every 3000 miles and have been very easy on this truck. It still has the original Firestone tires on it and they appear to still have half the tread on them. Its a solid black supercab model with a tonneau cover over the back (helps gas mileage). Anyway I have been looking though some manuals and didn't see when the timing belt should be changed out. I was thinking at 60,000 miles or so. One Ford manual said to just adjust it at 60,000, but then they are selling vehicles too 
So when do ya'll change them? Here's a picture of my truck and camper when we were out in NM on a trip out west in 2002. I have pulled that camper a little over 13,000 of the miles on the truck.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...ANewMexico.jpg
So when do ya'll change them? Here's a picture of my truck and camper when we were out in NM on a trip out west in 2002. I have pulled that camper a little over 13,000 of the miles on the truck.http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...ANewMexico.jpg
Last edited by regularman; May 16, 2005 at 02:53 AM.
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From: Stone Mountain, GA
I was once told that every 5 years or around 60-70,000 miles is a good time to change the timing belt, since they will dry rot over time. I had mine changed at around 65,000. I'd start pricing around to see what prices are running to have it replaced.
I know someone that didn't have his changed and it cost somewhere in the neighborhood of $800 to get it fixed after the belt broke (while he was driving down the highway).
I know someone that didn't have his changed and it cost somewhere in the neighborhood of $800 to get it fixed after the belt broke (while he was driving down the highway).
Last edited by dwildmanj; May 16, 2005 at 09:56 AM.
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From: Alvin, Texas.
Nothing listed in the Haynes, period.
If it goes, it goes. The Ranger 2.3L is non-interference. If it breaks, it's annoying, but won't crunch valves and pistons.
If the belt looks fine, leave it. Maybe every 100K miles, if you care to do so...
If it goes, it goes. The Ranger 2.3L is non-interference. If it breaks, it's annoying, but won't crunch valves and pistons.
If the belt looks fine, leave it. Maybe every 100K miles, if you care to do so...
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From: Dexter, MI
My mechanic said the timing belt on my 91 Ranger (2.3, 63K mi) should be changed between 60K and 80K miles. I just had it replaced. The one he took out looked good to me, but he said it was warn. I think the old belt was the one the factory put in.
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the first time changing the timing belt can be arduous but once you get it done it goes smooth the next time you change it.
I wonder what ford means by adjusting the timing belt? what is there to adjust, cant be timing obviously?
I wonder what ford means by adjusting the timing belt? what is there to adjust, cant be timing obviously?
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I changed my at 100k, 170k and will do it at 290k.... the first 2 changes the belt looked fine....
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I'm still thinking 60k is about right. I have changed quite a few of them and it cant be as hard as some of the front wheel drive cars or a Subaru. Since I use it on trips, I don't want it to let me down then. Its been 11 years and if I wait till I have 100k it might be 20 years.
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Originally Posted by justinsinternet
ya i recommend around 100k just for the peice of mind !!!! and thank god that the motor is not a cruncher ..
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you are right i would change it ! but i havent seen a 2.3 crunch yet ,when i bought mine it had 236,000 wasnt runing right the guy said he broken the timing belt on the highway he replaced it himself and it never ran right since so i took it home ripped the motor down and timed it and i put 20,000 on it and bought a 150 and let my buddy use it for a couple of months now i gave it to my dad to use as alittle side bus. he has been starting well i dont know where i am going with this but the ranger did me right after i know i drove it 150 miles with it out of time and god only knows what the guy did to it previsly just tring to time it.
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From: Cathedral City
I know we're supposed to be talking about timing belts. However I have to say if this truck, after 11 YEARS and more than 55K miles, "still has the original Firestone tires on it and they appear to still have half the tread on them" I would be looking very closely at the side-walls, not the tread. They must be dry rotting or have UV ray damage by now. The last thing you need is to have a read tire blow while you're towing that trailer.
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Originally Posted by MemphisSenior
I know we're supposed to be talking about timing belts. However I have to say if this truck, after 11 YEARS and more than 55K miles, "still has the original Firestone tires on it and they appear to still have half the tread on them" I would be looking very closely at the side-walls, not the tread. They must be dry rotting or have UV ray damage by now. The last thing you need is to have a read tire blow while you're towing that trailer.
