timing belt

I just had my car at the dealer's and they recommended that I have the
timing belt changed. This is a fairly expensive service. Even though
my car only has 43,000 miles on it, it is six years old. They
recommend 60,000 miles or six years. I have to have the tire rod ends
done immediately and then rear brakes so it will be almost impossible
for me to afford this timing belt this month. I was just looking for
opinions as to whether it would be safe to wait a month or so given
the mileage. Thanks!

 

I'd wait. While I'd not go too long, a couple of months does not seem out
of order with that low miles.

What is wrong that the tie rod ends have to be done already? That seems
premature. I'd get an opinion from a good local independent garage.
Dealers tend to be higher priced for many service items and some service
writers recommend things that may not be needed. They get a commission. .

 

You are right there. My sons Lantra has 220,000 k on the clock and front
suspension is still solid. The rear brakes still have a reasonable lining
thickness after that mileage. Is yours 6 years old re the belt?. The advice
to get an independent assesment is spot on.
John

 

I'd have someone else look at your frontend. 43,000 miles is very early for
tie rods to be wearing out.

 

When I had the oil changed, they told me there that the right tie rod
end was loose. They gave me a much higher price than the dealer.
Then the dealer told me I need both and should change the timing belt
as well. The brakes I probably can get a cheaper price somewhere
else. But, if both places remarked on the tie rod ends, what else can
I do? I'd be too afraid to let it go. I have to say, I was a bit
surprised given the low mileage. I didn't think I would have to worry
about it for a while yet.

 

I just had my car at the dealer's and they recommended that I have the

I'm curious about the six year recommendation for the timing belt. I would
think wear & tear on the belt would be mostly reflected in mileage. It may
be necessary to change it to stay in compliance with the warranty, but is it
necessary in terms of actual wear?

 

Rubber and plastics become brittle over time. There is now a recommendation
to change tires after some number of years no matter how much tread they
have on them. Exposure to UV speeds up the drying process.

 

Don't forget that YOU mentioned it to the dealer and that's like dangling a
carrot in front of a rabbit. They, of course, would tell you 'Absolutely,
they are shot'. I'd still take it to someone you think you can trust.

 

AND it's not just the tie rod ends. As soon as you get that done, they'll
remind you that you need a front end alignment, which you do it you replace
them. There goes another $50 or more.

 

I would not wait too long. A timing belt is made of rubber/polymer with
reinforcing fibers that are polymer also. Materials such as this
deteriorate as much from time as from mileage. Think of tires that have
been around for 6-10 years. They almost always lose resilient, develop
cracks and checks, etc. The same goes for the timing belt.

Will it fail next week or next month? Probably not, but the point is
there is no easy way to know in advance and on many engines are of an
"interference" design where you have expensive parts contacting at high
speed if the cam and crankshaft get out of synch. I don't know what
model you have, but if it has an interference engine and the belt breaks
.... well, if you thought a belt replacement was expensive...

Matt

 

You think wrong. Think of what the belt is made from...

 

If you are a member of the AAA try going to their auto analysing
specialist.

 

Would heavy use of an A/C prematurely wear a belt or is that just silly
thinking?

 

I'm late to this thread but why tie rods wear out so early? Do you drive
back roads or country/rural roads alot? Do you hit potholes or speedbumbs
way too fast?

 

It may put a bit more load on the serpentine belt or whatever belt drives
the AC compressor, but should have no effect on the timing belt. That just
drives the cam shaft.

 

I was asking myself the same question. I guess, even though the car
has low mileage, it is 6 years old. I've only had the car just about
a year and put 14,000 miles on it and I'm very careful, the only
driver. I guess they just don't make think like they used to?? I've
already had the work done and next are the back brakes which they tell
me are almost worn down. I'll worry about the belts next month I
guess and I hope that's it for a while.

 

I've
already had the work done and next are the back brakes which they tell
me are almost worn down. I'll worry about the belts next month I
guess and I hope that's it for a while.

************************************************

Brakes at 43,000 is not uncommon. Brakes depends on the type of driving you
do. When I lived in Philadelphia, 20,000 miles was considered a lot of miles
for me. Lots of traffic lights and stop signs. Now. 50,000+ is the norm
as I can drive to work 24 miles and hit the brakes maybe six times if I
catch the lights right. .

 

I don't know of any engine that uses the timing belt to drive
accessories, but I'm sure some exist. Typically, the accessories are
driven by a separate serpentine belt that is exposed, whereas the timing
belt is typically behind a cover. So, in general, using the AC would
have little affect on the timing belt.

Matt

 

FYI, the timing belt on a VW Jetta also drives the oil pump and distributor
so other engines may drive other items but I wouldn't think they would drive
accessories.