Timing Belt

[horrace]

My S1 just ticked over 100000, but when I bought the car it had 85000ks and it had receipts for getting the timing belt done. Now, I have no idea whether they are genuine or not so my question, is there an easy way to check? or should I pull the cover off and look? (what to look for?) the only problem with doing that is resetting the timing i have no idea how to do it and I don't have a timing light.

thanks in advance

[RBPOWA-(TJ)]

if your got it at 85000k i doubt you got it done.

check the other belts cause they should all of been done at the same time.

i got mine at 86000k and i changed it all at 100000k. just as well cause they weren't done

[horrace]

The other belts are all new that's for sure, just a thought would it be possible to mark where the cas is before I take the cover off so it can be put back in the same possition?

[KiwiRS4T]

There is a tutorial on how to change the timing belt in the DIY sticky above. You can put the cas back in the same position but if the old worn belt is replaced by a new one the timing could be a bit out anyway.

Is there any marking on the cam cover to say that the belt has been done? If it was done at 85,000 they are good for at least 100 - 120,000. I can't tell by looking at a belt if it needs replacing - maybe someone who does a lot of them could. You could always pull the cam belt cover off and see if you can find a non factory brand name but if they have replaced it with a factory item that won't help!

[horrace]

I see maybe I should change it to be sure, and it still has the origional 100,000 sticker on the cam gear cover.

[GoldZilla]

There's no real way to check a timing belt for wear unless there are teeth missing, and obviously if it's at that stage then it'll need to be replaced anyway. If you're uncertain as to whether it's been done or not, get it replaced. If it does let go, then there's the risk of serious engine damage.

I'm not sure if the RB series of engines are interference or non-interference type (I've never asked, been told, or done any research to find out), but if it IS an interference engine, then there's the very expensive risk of pistons hitting valves and destroying the pistons, valves, other parts of the head and maybe even the engine block.

[pipster11]

There's no real way to check a timing belt for wear unless there are teeth missing, and obviously if it's at that stage then it'll need to be replaced anyway. If you're uncertain as to whether it's been done or not, get it replaced. If it does let go, then there's the risk of serious engine damage.

I'm not sure if the RB series of engines are interference or non-interference type (I've never asked, been told, or done any research to find out), but if it IS an interference engine, then there's the very expensive risk of pistons hitting valves and destroying the pistons, valves, other parts of the head and maybe even the engine block.

pretty sure it is, if its a neo it will also have solid lifters, if the belt goes in an interference motor with hydraulic lifters it can be ok

but usually its bad news in most scenario's

[horrace]

Yeah think I'll just get it done thanks guys

[66yostagea]

Just a bit extra.

When I did ALL the belts at 100k the engine was so smooth I was able to balance a 50 cent piece on the battery and the cold air deflector. It felt like brand new.

[Stinky Rooster]

Yes, the RB's ARE an interference engine, and even the S1's with hydraulic lifters will still lunch the top end if the belt snaps. Keep in mind the amount of cushion the hydraulic lifters have is bugger all, and certainly not enough for valve clearance in an engine that runs around 0.300" lift.

If you look really carefully, you can see the fibres in the side of the belt (between the top sheath and the lower sheath that has the teeth in it) and any broken/frayed cords mean the belt has stretched and is US. A stretched belt will have a lot of effect on an engine, causing sloppy cam timing and an ecu that is constantly recieving fluctuating CAS readings.

Keep in mind that alot of imports cop a timing belt at 5 years old, even if they havent done the full 100 000kms due to the short distance travelling most of them do in Japan, so while it may have already had a belt done, given the relatively cheap cost (if you can do it yourself) then IMO its pretty good insurance against a catastrophic engine failure.

[horrace]

/\/\/\

well said, I think me and a mechanic mate of mine could handle it, if not how much would it cost at a decent workshop to get it done? im in perth btw

[Stinky Rooster]

dude, srsly do it yourself. I have done a couple now (and no, I am not a mechanic) and they are really easy. All it takes is a bit of common snese and a barrier to keep idiots away from the work area

Having never paid for any work other than wheel alignments, I couldn't say for sure, but I would gues a timing belt swap would be in the $1000-$1200 incl parts, but that would be as part of a major service. You can usually get out of it for under $500 for parts if you do it yourself.

Take a good read of the DIY, dont even attempt to do it without removing the radiator, make sure you have a quality harmonic balancer puller available and a good timing light, and feel free to drop me a PM if you need any help (I am in Perth too - SOR) I work for beer and sausages too

[horrace]

Thanks for the offer man much appriciated, I do all the work on my own car such as servicing ect and have done for years, I'm no mechanic but i can handle most things I will definately have a crack myself.

P.s I'm SOR to in yangebup near adventure world

[horrace]

i had a good read of the DIY and i think its do-able for sure, I see SK only did the belt and just jap have them for $95, I will need a balencer puller and a timing light, anything iv missed?

[Stinky Rooster]

I would highly recommend getting the Gates belt kit from one of the sponsors here. It comes with the idler and tensioner pulleys as well as the belt, and it would be a real bastard if one of them started to squeak etc halfway through the next belt. Buying them seperately can get pretty pricey too. I fully support what SK said about the water pump too - def not worth changing unless it is showing pretty heavy corrosion or evidence of leaking etc.

Good quality gasket sealer for the sump and timing cover will save heartache later on (I recommend Permatex or Loctite Blue) and if you can afford it, its a perfect time for a good coolant system flush, and maybe even getting the tanks of the radiator popped off and the core rodded as a bit of insurance.

[kidafa]

I got a dayco kit for mine of Ebay. Changed belts and did a good coolant flush.

Only tools I needed to buy was harmonic balancer puller, timing light and the massive socket for the harmonic balancer.

It was the first mechanical thing i had ever done on a car (hadnt even changed the oil) had a good mate whos v.good with cars guide me and we shat it in with some printed of help. aka SK's thread. Search timing belts in stag section I made a thread or three on the change.

[horrace]

yeah i already bookmarked yours mate, very helpful, i see just jap sell the gates kits that come with new idler and tensioner bearing ill probably buy this http://www.justjap.com/store/product.php?p...at=0&page=1 and next time i got a couple of days off work ill hop to it!

edit - i just checked the dayco kits on ebay and man there cheap! what was the quality like kidafa?

Edited April 6, 2010 by horrace

[kidafa]

yeah i already bookmarked yours mate, very helpful, i see just jap sell the gates kits that come with new idler and tensioner bearing ill probably buy this http://www.justjap.com/store/product.php?p...at=0&page=1 and next time i got a couple of days off work ill hop to it!

edit - i just checked the dayco kits on ebay and man there cheap! what was the quality like kidafa?

Quality is fine, Comes with idler tensioner, 3 main seals and the belt Mines been on for 40,000 and havnt had any issue or had any bearing noise

A mate got his belts on his 33 done back a bit and last time i checked his engine bay I noticed they used dayco belts aswell.

[horrace]

Nice I'm gonna grab that one then, hard not to when it's half the price of the gates ones.

[kidafa]

exactly... People say they want a "performance" timing belt....?

Whoopedie f**king doo, its blue? and under a cover... money well spend