Timing Belt + The Kitchen Sink

[BASHO]

I've got an R34 GTT with 80K on it and whilst it has full Japanese log books which appear to indicate a responsible owner and lots of on time servicing I have no idea whether the timing belt has been done or not in any event it would probably be due on years for a 2nd change anyway.

How do you tell whether a timing belt is crook or not ? insert when your friken engine craps out jokes here,

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I actualy got the shits a bit the other day when I called a repairer who advised that the cam and mains seals were not a real necessity but that perhaps the water pump should be done.

So my second question is how much of this shit should be done ? working on the preventive maintainance program perhaps I should just replace the entire friken engine ---just in case-----.

The car has done 80k FFS has a good service rewcord as far as I can tell and wouldn't hve been flogged if the tight drive and condition is anything to go by.

My point is that a $135 gates belt and 3 hours labour is suddenly heading towards a grand without to much imagination.

Any oppinions or facts anyone ?

[Moodles2]

Can tell timing belts have been done by a silver sticker on either the airbox or the timing cover which has xx,xxx kilometres scratched into it. Belt age is more a factor than raw kilometres when it comes to failure, something like you don't want a belt thats older than 7 years.

To put it in perspective, belt fails, head has to come off, you have to replace 12-24 valves (no idea the cost for genuine vs aftermarket), and theres probably other things you need to take into perspective (valve guides, new head gasket etc), but I don't have much knowledge in that area.

$400 for a 100,000km timing belt kit with: Timing Belt, idler and tensioner pulleys, cam and crank seals, water pump. Cheap insurance. Labour? probably no more than 3-4hrs.

[NA_Goodness]

When the water pump goes, it'll leak out onto the timing belt, weakening it whether its brand new or not. Even newish belts can snap causing a lot of expensive engine damage. Because the water pump is behind the timing belt, it'll be cheaper to replace it now rather then pulling the belt apart again later down the track. While you're there, you may as well replace the timing belt, tensioners, crank and cam seals, and possibly rocker cover gaskets as well considering they're off anyway. Spark plugs wouldnt hurt either. Do it all together to save from pulling it all apart multiple times. Up to you though mate. I did it all myself, so labour wasnt an issue.

[GTR-N1]

Here's what I quoted in the following thread Al...

It's about the 80,000Km Service + other majors.

http://www.skylinesaustralia.com/forums/R3...l=service+owner > Post#11

[BASHO]

Can tell timing belts have been done by a silver sticker on either the airbox or the timing cover which has xx,xxx kilometres scratched into it. Belt age is more a factor than raw kilometres when it comes to failure, something like you don't want a belt thats older than 7 years.

To put it in perspective, belt fails, head has to come off, you have to replace 12-24 valves (no idea the cost for genuine vs aftermarket), and theres probably other things you need to take into perspective (valve guides, new head gasket etc), but I don't have much knowledge in that area.

$400 for a 100,000km timing belt kit with: Timing Belt, idler and tensioner pulleys, cam and crank seals, water pump. Cheap insurance. Labour? probably no more than 3-4hrs.

Thanks for that, the airbox lid wasn't with the car and I can't see anything on the timing cover ferkit, where can I get this kit from ??

Terry_GT-R34Posted 28 Nov 2009, 10:22 PM Here's what I quoted in the following thread Al...

It's about the 80,000Km Service + other majors.

http://www.skylinesaustralia.com/forums/R3...l=service+owner > Post#11

Thanks for the link mate.

NA_GoodnessPosted 28 Nov 2009, 08:47 PM When the water pump goes, it'll leak out onto the timing belt, weakening it whether its brand new or not. Even newish belts can snap causing a lot of expensive engine damage. Because the water pump is behind the timing belt, it'll be cheaper to replace it now rather then pulling the belt apart again later down the track. While you're there, you may as well replace the timing belt, tensioners, crank and cam seals, and possibly rocker cover gaskets as well considering they're off anyway. Spark plugs wouldnt hurt either. Do it all together to save from pulling it all apart multiple times. Up to you though mate. I did it all myself, so labour wasnt an issue.

Thanks for the thought, I'm handy with a spanner but don't have the confidence to tackle this one, I wouldn't know where to start if it went sideways after reasembly.

Edited November 30, 2009 by BASHO

[Moodles2]

Check Kudosmotorsports.com for a timing belt kit to suit your car.

[blind_elk]

There's 3 hours labour involved in changing the timing belt. To change the water pump, there is roughly the same 3 hours labour (the same disassembly of the timing case is required).

So, while it's all apart for the timing belt, might as well change the water pump (might be an extra 1/2 hour labour, rather than 3).