Re:Timing belts - age of

["Rudy Consolacion" <rconsolacion@kumhotech.com>]

I agree with Alex.  It depends heavily on environment and how much 
antioxidant is formulated in the rubber.  I think the timing belt 
should be considered a mileage/time replacement part like all other 
maintenance items.  The general policy for tires is that new tires 
over 3 years old should never be sold.  Always check the date code 
from the DOT code.  I bought some snow tires years ago from a tire 
dealer.  They put the DOT code on the receipt and I remember glancing 
at it to be sure they were freshly made.  When I got the tires home, 
I looked at them and realized the guy at the tire store put the 
wrong date code on the receipt.  I returned the tires immediately and 
bitched him out for trying to deceive me.  When I asked him why he 
tried to sell me new tires that were 7 years old, he said he misread 
the DOT code.  I found it hard to believe he would get 10 out of 11 
numbers and letters correct and confuse a "1" for a "4."  Anyway, the 
tires_looked_brand new, but the tread compound was very hard. IMHO,  
I would not use a tire over 5 years old, no matter what the 
condition.

Rudy C.

> Phil Payne wrote:  
> 
> > Has anyone ever seen an age limit for timing belts in months rather than
> > miles?  My own rule-of-thumb would be five years - anyone of a 
> > different opinion?
> 
> I don't have hard data, but it's a good question and five or six years
> sounds reasonable to me considering the cost of the belt.  Also the
> environment during storage has to have an effect on its life.  What about
> the belt taking a set if the engine isn't turned for extended periods?  Radial
> tires do, why not timing belts? 
> 
> Even though the belt is protected from sunlight by the cover, it's still
> exposed to the atmosphere, and if the engine isn't turned it's more
> vulnerable in some places than others.  That sounds like the makings of a
> potential nonuniformity in the belt to me.
> 
> Speaking of deteriorating rubber products, I've noticed that the wiper
> blades on my girlfriend's car seem to be wearing out more quickly in the
> last two years, during which time it has been parked in an enclosed,
> public garage.  Previously, it was parked beneath her building but the
> garage was not enclosed and was open to the outside.  Maybe the extra
> smog is attacking the rubber?
> 
> I'd be interested to hear what Rudy C. has to say about this subject
> (since he designs tires).
> 
> Best Wishes,
> Alex
> 
> 
>