Timing Belt [Archive] - RonFez.net Messageboard

WhistlePig

07-27-2005, 09:48 PM

Has anyone actually had one of these break and did it do the damage they say it will?
I've had several cars, and have had mechanics warn me of the hideous damage a broken timing belt can do to an engine, but there is something about replacing something before it is broken that I can't get my head (or wallet!) around. I haven't replaced one yet, and haven't had one break yet. Have I just been lucky? I really don't feel like shelling out $800 bucks for something that MIGHT not ever break. Who invented this fucking thing, anyway?

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PapaBear

07-27-2005, 10:14 PM

Depending on the car (such as Honda) a busted timing belt can mean instant death for your engine. I don't know if I've ever heard of a new belt costing $800 bucks, though. Make sure you try several different shops. It's a proven fact that garages often take advantage of women.

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Snoogans

07-27-2005, 10:33 PM

but there is something about replacing something before it is broken that I can't get my head (or wallet!) around. dont you change your oil before your engine siezes up? 

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Jennitalia

07-28-2005, 05:41 AM

My timing belt broke while I was driving back up to college. It happened somewhere in albany, and i still had another 40 minutes to go until I got back to college. From what I remember, it cost more to have the car towed to Cobleskill where I could get it fixed. The timing belt cost about $75. It was an '81 Mustang, and aside from that problem, the car was tip-top.

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Furtherman

07-28-2005, 05:51 AM

I had two timing belts break on me and I can still hear the *click click click* sound from my engine when I tried to start it.  My car was an '83 Toyota, so it was old and probably due.  It cost around $100 to replace, and I'd just recommend whenever you get a check-up ask the mechanic to look at the timing belt to see if it's worn down - better yet, find it yourself and whenever you got the hood up, take a look at it.  It really sucks when it breaks when you're out on the road.

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hurlmon

07-28-2005, 05:59 AM

What type of car? and what's the mileage?The belt itself isn't the cost.  It's all about the labor.  Many of the newer cars need to have most of the components that are mounted on the front of the engine removed to get to the belt.   If this is the case many people will also change the water pump since they are usually in the same area and the extra cost is nothing when looking at the labor cost to get at the water pump if it fails in the future.   I had it the other way around.  the pump went so I changed the belt while I was in there.

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Death Metal Moe

07-28-2005, 06:11 AM

My timing belt broke on my once driving down to Alabama.  Somewhere in Virginia my timing belt just went.  Cost me 400 to get it done and we had to stay a night in the area.  Like everyone else has said, it's not the belt itselt, it's what they have to go through to get to your timing belt.  And the way they described the problem to me was that the belt keeps the pistons and top valves in perfect sycronicity.  If the belt goes suddenly while running, there's a chance they can bang together and do a lot of damage.  Very gay.$800 sounds like too much to me personally.  But you could just have a car with a strange configuration.  If you have the time to get some prices, ask around and have your car towed to a cheaper place or tell ask them if they match prices.

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angrymissy

07-28-2005, 07:19 AM

I had one go on my old Civic.  My uncle replaced it for my and I just had to pay for parts (it was like $50).  $800 sounds way high for parts/labor.

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Tenbatsuzen

07-28-2005, 08:02 AM

I would recommend going to a place like Pep Boys with numbers like that.  They usually have decent prices and since they are a national chain, they are easier to work with than the mom and pop chain that may try to rip you off.

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Justice4all

07-28-2005, 08:10 AM

Also when belts get very worn out they tend to squeak alot when they get wet. So if it rains out and you drive thru a big puddle and you hear it squeak, that noise. But the bad belts will do that alot when you 1st turn on the car. That is a tell tale sign.

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WhistlePig

07-28-2005, 08:29 AM

Thanks for all the input on this!
I own a f@#*ing 99 Volkswagon beetle, the worst investment I've ever made. The estimate for the timing belt was from the dealer when I took the car in to get a SECOND a/c compressor replaced (this car is a real lemon). I should just send this thing to the scrap heap and get a new car.

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Death Metal Moe

07-28-2005, 08:32 AM

quote: I would recommend going to a place like Pep Boys with numbers like that.  They usually have decent prices and since they are a national chain, they are easier to work with than the mom and pop chain that may try to rip you off.<img src="http://img227.echo.cx/img227/2240/ollie11po.jpg" border="0" /> Unless you know a mechanic and have a good working relationship with them, or you have a friend who can do it cheap, that's probably good advice.  I mean you won't get any deals because you're just another customer, but you'll have a national chain backing the work up instead of just some guy with a garage.

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Death Metal Moe

07-28-2005, 08:35 AM

I own a f@#*ing 99 Volkswagon beetle, the worst investment I've ever made.I don't know anything about the brand, but I do know about having a small, compact car.  Mechanics I know have explained it to me like this.  You're squeezing everything you need on an engine in a smaller space, so some shit is placed on top of other things to save room.  So you might have to remove a whole bunch of things in the way of one part, and that is why your labor rates go up.  

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Snoogans

07-28-2005, 08:36 AM

Also when belts get very worn out they tend to squeak alot when they
get wet. So if it rains out and you drive thru a big puddle and you
hear it squeak, that noise. thats the fan belt that does that 

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Jennitalia

07-28-2005, 08:37 AM

quote: Thanks for all the input on this! I own a f@#*ing 99 Volkswagon beetle, the worst investment I've ever made. The estimate for the timing belt was from the dealer when I took the car in to get a SECOND a/c compressor replaced (this car is a real lemon). I should just send this thing to the scrap heap and get a new car.  Did you buy this new or used?   I'm on my 3rd Beetle.  I just love 'em!  Granted, I lease them, so I pretty much get rid of them before I have to deal with any real problems, even on my first beetle, when i think i only had the oil changed 2 or 3 times in a 3 year period.   But, other than a flat tire and replacing the headlights, I've never had problems with any of them.  

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WhistlePig

07-28-2005, 08:51 AM

[quote]quote:<hr color="cococo" align="left">[quote]quote: Did you buy this new or used?   I'm on my 3rd Beetle.  I just love 'em!  Granted, I lease them, so I pretty much get rid of them before I have to deal with any real problems, even on my first beetle, when i think i only had the oil changed 2 or 3 times in a 3 year period.   But, other than a flat tire and replacing the headlights, I've never had problems with any of them.  

I bought it new, and it's been trouble from day one. I think it was on the assembly line at siesta time on a Friday or something.

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furie

07-28-2005, 10:00 AM

the timing chain in my mustang went back in '92. engine just died. it cost $400 to repair it. 

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SatCam

07-28-2005, 10:27 AM

my timing belt broke a few years back...haven't been funny since!     yea... thats it

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MrPink

07-28-2005, 03:10 PM

If you decide to have the timing belt replaced, you should get the water pump replaced too. Don't ask me why, its just something my dad keeps telling me.

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PapaBear

07-28-2005, 03:16 PM

VW just recently ranked in the bottom 3 of worst customer satisfaction, just ahead of Kia and Suzuki!  I've been having problems w/ my 2000 Chevy Prizm and just found out it's the Mass Air Fuel Sensor. I just ordered one for 72 bucks (rather than pay 250 to have someone replace it for me). Can you imagine going back to 1970 and telling a mechanic about a Mass Air Fuel Sensor? He'd think you're nuts!!!

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