Timing belt change every 60K?

[Way2SSlow]

The previous owner said that she had the 60,000 mile service performed at the dealership before putting the car up for sale (it had 63.5K when I bought it). I would assume that the dealer changed the belt at that time, but I'm not sure.



I got a quote from my preferred mechanic for ~$400 to replace the belt. I don't have the money now, but I will have the money in February to do this if need be.

Call the dealer she went to. That will answer your question.



IMO, you might as well have the water pump done too while they are in there. I run an electric water pump on my car, and I know how much it sucks when one goes out (long story, high tow bill). A non electric water pump wont just quit like mine did, but if you're luck is anything like mine, just get it done for peace of mind.

 

[EBPcivicsi]

$550 last time on my Accord and that included timing and balancer belts, water pump, seals and one of the bearings.

That's about what it was for my 94 accord, they chrage a little more for the DOHC VTAC.

 

[Spilchy]

On my Civic it was done at the dealer for $450 with a coupon they were offering. Water pump included. Even though the car only had 28,000 miles at the time, the car and the belt was 10 years old.



Without a doubt, I'd change that belt and not think twice about it. Failure is not an option! You don't want to go down that road, especially with all the love and work you've done on it.



Yes, do change the water pump when the belt is done.

 

[imported_chpsk8]

I've got confirmation that my engine is a non-interference type design. But I still plan on having it changed in February. I might also have the water pump changed.

Thats good, at least you won't do any harm by running it until it breaks. You can call the Mazda customer service number in your book and ask them if the belt was changed. They dotn' give you too many specifics, but they can confirm if something was done or not. I called on my 99 Miata and asked if a certain TSB was completed, which they confirmed. The real reason I called was to get a copy of the original window sticker. IF you want one of those they send it to you for free. It's kind of nice to have it to see exactly what the car came with.

Any Mazda dealer can take your VIN and put it in the system to see if the belt was changed or not. I've use dother peoples VINS to help my service guy fix problems. He was able to looka t what another dealer did to fix a problem.

 

[Accumulator]

Yeah, glad to hear that the belt isn't an immediate concern. Some cars go through water pumps and others don't. I'm of the "while its apart, change it" school of thought myself.

 

[Setec Astronomy]

Not to get started on water pumps, but if you're going to change it, make sure it's a good quality one. As I said, the original on my Pontiac lasted 10 or 11 years, and when it went, I went to an auto parts store and got the run down of my choices: rebuilt for X dollars, new off brand 1 year warranty for X+ dollars, or new Delco for X++ dollars...so of course, Delco for me! I'm a proud GM owner! I got the Delco box with the "made in Mexico" label on it, and looked at the pump, it had a sheet metal impeller with little square tabs spot-welded to it. So I get into changing it...and of course the factory original had a really nice cast aluminum impeller with nice curved blades, I wasn't even sure the replacement would flow enough to cool the car...of course by this time the store was closed and I had to get the car fixed. Long story short...my premium new Delco replacement part lasted 2 or 3 years....and this spring I was putting in a NAPA one that was really cheap, but seemed really nice...made in Japan IIRC.



I would hate to go through a timing belt replacement only to have the (new) water pump fail prematurely. When my Pontiac was newer I was so anal about it I used to get parts at the dealer...brake pads, alternator, transmission filter kit (had some bad filter experiences...don't get me started on transmission shops!). Anyway, the foreign car parts may be a different story.



Sorry if this was a long-winded thread-jacking

 

[splattj]

I have done atleast a dozen timing belts mainly on Hondas. Each one that I do I am amazed at how new the belt looks at 100,000 miles. Most of us do not need to follow the severe wear schedule. 60,000 miles seems like very early to change a timing belt. One other note. Many dealerships try to get you to change the water pump, main seal and othr parts while they are there. I would pass on it, it is just another way for them to increase their business. For what it is worth if you lived near me I would be glad to help you change it. I love to work on cars.

The belt isn't usually what fails, the automatic tensioner or one of the idler pullies are what do you in. If you're having the $70 belt replaced and paying $250 in labor, why not have the $100 water pump replaced under the same labor or for a little more? Otherwise your waterpump replacement will be $350 because it involves taking off the same belt. And then they would recommend replacing the belt when they do the water pump.....



I don't like replacing the timing belt on interference engines. Even if it fails due to a faulty part, you're looking at $1000 in repairs. I'd rather have a trustworthy shop be responsible for any possible timing belt failures.

 

[White95Max]

Thats good, at least you won't do any harm by running it until it breaks. You can call the Mazda customer service number in your book and ask them if the belt was changed. They dotn' give you too many specifics, but they can confirm if something was done or not. I called on my 99 Miata and asked if a certain TSB was completed, which they confirmed. The real reason I called was to get a copy of the original window sticker. IF you want one of those they send it to you for free. It's kind of nice to have it to see exactly what the car came with.

Any Mazda dealer can take your VIN and put it in the system to see if the belt was changed or not. I've use dother peoples VINS to help my service guy fix problems. He was able to looka t what another dealer did to fix a problem.

Thanks for that info. I'll give Mazda a call to see if they have a timing belt change on record. If there's any doubt, I'll just have it done.



And I have the original window sticker too.