How do you know if you need a new timing belt?

[borealtransition]

I bought my Delica last summer and was told by the dealership that they put in a new timing belt. But I was over-charged for a stereo they installed and had brake problems shortly after, so I have problems trusting the dealership. Is there any way to tell if I need a new timing belt?

[Erebus]

When you hear a loud "snap", crunching noises, and lots of smoke, you know you waited too long.

Seriously though, a belt failure means a new engine. So, the question you have to ask yourself is, "How much do I believe that they didn't change it. What risk is acceptable?"

If you drive mostly in the city near home, a failure is seriously annoying. If you do forestry roads deep into nowhere, a failure is life-threatening.

What is your peace (piece?) of mind worth? Do the full replacement, and you will sleep at night.

When I got my Delica last summer, there was no evidence the belts had ever been changed, so I had it done right away. The timing belt is normally rated at 90,000 km, no time specified. Given that most people here drive 20,000 km per year, that would put it at 5 years. My Delica had only 25,000 km, but the 15 years made me very worried, so I changed the timing belt, tensioner, bearings, etc.

If you have the work done at a place you trust, ask them to keep the "old" ones and render an opinion whether they were actually changed. Then you could go after the dealership to for refund and pay for work (and name the dealership here to warn others).
Sorry I can't be more specific

[39Ronin]

Pull up your seat, look behind your rad and you will see the fan then some drive belts and behind those there is a plastic cover. Before removing the timing belt cover remove the the clip from the top of the fan cover, slide the cover apart and remove the fan cover. Now remove the next plastic cover (timing), make sure to find all the botls as there are a couple of less obvious ones.
http://members.iimetro.com.au/~frankyz/ ... 091-93.pdf

Now inspect the timing belt for cracks, look at the area of the belt that is stressed as you can see better, look at the edges to see if they are frayed ect... here is a severe case of an old dried up belt, your belt may look newer than this but may still have cracks.


There is also a smaller belt behind the timing cover, this is your balancer belt. Inspect it at the same time, for cracks or signs of fraying.

Sorry if it isn't 100% clear but I wrote this in a bit of a hurry, I'm sure someone else will chime in and add more details.

[mararmeisto]

Isn't it a problem when it's shiny? I thought that meant it was having oil dripped onto it - which will make it break down quicker.

Shiny (on the flat side) also can mean that the tensioners are no longer rolling like they should and the belt is dragging when it should be rolling (voice of experience from my VW).

[MardyDelica]

Hi, 39 Ronnin is right,
its all com from the belt if the belt is worn out even they change it in japan they usaully change it 5 yrs ago or more.
but usually if your dealer change it for you, they should change it all from tensioner & Balance shaft bearing, waterpump, 4 seal, 2 orig. timing belt & new thermosthat.
this is what i do to all my delica. change it all so no need to do it anymore one time job as its not easy to change.
try to used original parts if you can as its not easy to change.
if need help if you are in vancouver, just phone me & i can help you to looks in to this on your timing belt.
Cheers;

[borealtransition]

Thanks for all the replies. I'll get it inspected next time I am in Vancouver.