Timing belt change interval: safe to exceed?

[Skunk]

My next oil change is 113000km.

 

My timing belt change is recommended at 120000km.

 

Is it safe to change timing belt at 123000km instead?

 

It's a Ford Focus 05.

 

Cheers.

[So_nice]

why not juz change at ur next oil change if u wanna save labour?

 

dun forget ur car is still running when idle. u wont wanna haf ur belt snap.

[Yewheng]

My next oil change is 113000km.

 

My timing belt change is recommended at 120000km.

 

Is it safe to change timing belt at 123000km instead?

 

It's a Ford Focus 05.

 

Cheers.

 

Better to chance early.. you don't want the timing belt snap when you driving halfway and damage engine right? When it happen repair cost would be high compared to changing timing belt early. No harm change early but it will do harm if you stratch the timing belt to the limit which could be very dangerous as you do not know when it will break and happen so suddenly.

Edited April 30, 2011 by Yewheng

[Methol]

I just change at 150,000km. 2nd Timing Belt Change liao. Best to change early instead of late.

Timing Belt estimated Material Cost = $200 +/-

Labour = $100 +/-

 

Spent Maximum around $400 better than spent $4000 if your belt snaps

[Skunk]

where do u change, so cheap lol

[Mona-vie]

Unless you are running your car as if its on the track (rev till redline for every gear), then you don't have to worry. 3000KM extra is nothing.

[Mona-vie]

I just change at 150,000km. 2nd Timing Belt Change liao. Best to change early instead of late.

Timing Belt estimated Material Cost = $200 +/-

Labour = $100 +/-

 

Spent Maximum around $400 better than spent $4000 if your belt snaps

 

Timing belt snap may or may not damage the engine. It depends on the design. If yours is a non interference engine, Belt snap won't cause any damage except $$$ to tow to WS to replace belt and align the cams position, thats all.

 

Even if its an interference engine, you also don't need $4K to repair the engine. Cause what happens is that the valves will strike the piston and causing the valve to bent. Of course, you need to repair the valves and need $$$ but nowhere near 4K.

[Pisces69]

My next oil change is 113000km.

 

My timing belt change is recommended at 120000km.

 

Is it safe to change timing belt at 123000km instead?

 

It's a Ford Focus 05.

 

Cheers.

 

My Optra recommend change at 60K km but I did at 70K km.

 

Exceed a bit sud b OK as long as u dont whack or do a lot of slow driving or idling cos then the wear is higher with a low mileage.

 

But when I change, I change everything incl tensioner, bearings, water pump n seals. Also full coolant change n all other belts at the same time.

 

There is always a bit of additional "tolerance" just in case cos wear is different depending on the different driving styles.

 

Even my old Jap Corona say change at 90K km n I did it at 100K km a couple of times without any problems.

 

But I always use Original good quality parts.

 

[Pisces69]

where do u change, so cheap lol

 

If u dont change all the parts but just belt n labour, its less than $200 even but if u suay n anything else that was supposed to b changed that was not gives way, then u end up paying double labour charge.

 

Many ws wil quote u a price but wont change all the parts. Ty just change the main parts n just check/inspect the other parts.

 

Sometimes wil hv squeaks n such later n if water pump spoil, then u need to get it done immediately with labour charge all over again.

 

So u can take a risk n save some $ but sometimes u win n sometimes u lose.

 

[Pisces69]

Timing belt snap may or may not damage the engine. It depends on the design. If yours is a non interference engine, Belt snap won't cause any damage except $$$ to tow to WS to replace belt and align the cams position, thats all.

 

Even if its an interference engine, you also don't need $4K to repair the engine. Cause what happens is that the valves will strike the piston and causing the valve to bent. Of course, you need to repair the valves and need $$$ but nowhere near 4K.

 

Yes its all down to luck. Sometimes the belt snap n no serious damage n sometimes got valve n piston damage.

 

The main thing is inconvenience like if it snap on a dark n lonely road middle of the weekend night, then its

 

If in Msia late at night even worse.

 

[Mona-vie]

Yes its all down to luck. Sometimes the belt snap n no serious damage n sometimes got valve n piston damage.

 

The main thing is inconvenience like if it snap on a dark n lonely road middle of the weekend night, then its

 

If in Msia late at night even worse.

 

I think tyre puncture would be a bigger concern compared to timing belt snapping cause it happens much of often and even brand new tyres can get punctured.

 

Btw, you can check condition of timing belt one. Just remove the timing belt cover (its just a few bolts) and inspect the condition. If you see the edges of the rubber starting to crack then you know its time to change. Same thing for ancillary belt.

 

Rather than just replying solely on mileage, one should check the condition. Sometimes, due to weather condition etc, belts can deteriorate faster than norm and there are DEFECTIVE belts that snapped just about around 10,000KM (read on forums before). So checking is important.

 

 

 

 

[Skunk]

interesting....thanks for sharing :)

[SimplyTWL]

Do take a look at your timing belt, should be visible.

Check for traces of rust and feel if it is brittle. If there is rust and it feels dry and brittle then change early.

Save all the hassel and all the worrisome thoughts that will linger in your head :)

[Mllcg]

if snap, how much to replace?

[SimplyTWL]

if snap, how much to replace?

 

Problem is.. Once snapped, replacing is one issue..

Getting your car that is stuck someone on the road to the workshop is another issue.

 

Replacement also depends on model of car and not forgetting tow-car fees..

[13177]

Timing belt 2nd change at 120k? Wht mill did u change in your first timing belt?

[Skunk]

Timing belt 2nd change at 120k? Wht mill did u change in your first timing belt?

 

this is the first timing belt change. According to the manual, the timing belt change interval for this car is 120,000km

[Mllcg]

is there a sign that the timing belt is wearing out?