Re: Time for Timing Belts

["Scott Mo." <scottmo@teleport.com>]

> >> I suppose this has been mentioned before but I think the timing >> >belt will probably go 100,000 mi.
> ><snip>

Yes, it "can" last a long time, the '89-90 200T/Q went to a new style
cam belt so called "super torque" belt which "may" last longer than the
old style belt with square cut teeth.  

I was dropping my 89 200TQ at the dealer this morning for the air bag
control unit recall and a 1990 200TQ owner was asked if he wanted to go
ahead and change out his cam belt, the car has 120,000 miles on it with
the original cam belt......

I have talked to several 5000TQ owners (non-enthusiasts) with over 100K
miles and the original belt. When I worked at volkswagen the 10V 4cyl
engines would typically get over 100-120k miles before the teeth would
get sheered off the belt. Of course on these early VW cars, no damage
was done if the belt broke....so replacement was not stressed.

If I owned the V8 with how many valves? 32?, I would likely change the
cam belt religiously at 60K miles, with the I5's, I would begin to get
nervous at the 80-90K mark. One problem with this statement, is that so
many things can influence the belt life, oil leakage getting on the
belt, correct installation and tensioning, idler pully life, water pump
life, age of the belt, engine temperature, ambient temperature,
environmental conditions (high smog area) etc. Using "one" mileage
number for recommended replacement under all these varying conditions is
tough when you want to extend the interval past the 60K point.

With the high cost involved with doing the cyl head repair (valves
etc),when the belt breaks, being a little conservative on the
replacement mileage goes a long way. 

Hmm...maybe I should take a peek at my timing belt tension....now when
was it that I replaced that thing???......

HTH
Scott Mo.