Timing Belt Replacement Intervals

philmeup1 · Post by **philmeup1** » Wed Aug 29, 2018 12:40 pm

Hello folks,

Just curious about timing belt replacement intervals. When I got my '93 Delica, it had just 70,000 kms on the clock. The first and only real problem I've had with my van is that the injector pump started to leak. While I had my mechanic repairing this issue, I decided to tackle some other preventative maintenance stuff like all the belts including the timing belt and water pump etc.

The van has been running great ever since, and now I'm up to 135,000 kms on the clock. It's almost been too good to be true, knock on wood:) This has been the best used vehicle I've ever owned, hands down!!

My question is, how much longer should I expect to go before changing the timing belt again? I'm not a mechanic, but I do know that not changing the timing belt at the correct intervals can lead to catastrophic endings. I don't have enough vodka in my fridge for that,, lol.

Always appreciating the advice here:) Thanks in advance.

Cheers, Phil

north54 · Post by **north54** » Wed Aug 29, 2018 12:48 pm

I think every 70-90,000km for a change. At least thats what I have in my excel spreadsheet for maintenance. Had mine done around 320,000km on my van. CVI put a sticker by the engine stating new belt change at 390,000km

Post by **Growlerbearnz** » Wed Aug 29, 2018 2:59 pm

On a new, leak-free engine you'd change the belts at 100,000km. On our older engines with worn pulleys and where the belts often end up with oil on them, it's safer to change at 70-90,000km as North54 says.

Just one concern: you said

philmeup1 wrote:...the timing belt

singular. There are two timing belts (timing and balance belts) and they should both be changed at the same time, as failure of one will often break the other. The balance belt lives a harder life than the timing belt, being closer to the potentially (usually) leaky crankshaft seal.

philmeup1 · Post by **philmeup1** » Thu Aug 30, 2018 2:25 pm

Thank's fellas,

I guess I'm getting close to needing to do it again:( 70 - 90 thousand k doesn't seem like much time between belt changes, but I guess that's the way she goes. I have a VW mechanic that does all the work on my van. He's 66 years of age and expecting to retire soon. Perhaps I should get this done before he does this. No one else in my home town of Peterborough will touch my van.

Oh, the joys......

Cheers, Phil