Re: Timing belt paranoia - jury is in

[quk@isham-research.demon.co.uk (Phil Payne)]

In message <004201be2c65$35c6e9a0$34afb3cf@hsutherl.nbnet.nb.ca> "Dean and Heather Sutherland" writes:

> Tks all who offered advice.  In case you're curious, most suggested doing
> the belt now as preventative maintenance (this is a 1986 4KQ with 155,000km
> with original belt).  As far as the damage that can result from a broken
> belt, it seems the 5cyl in my 86 is at less risk than the models with more
> valves.  Re the suggestion to pry the cover back to see if the belt looks
> cracked, my mechanic tells me that even if it looks fine, it could still
> break if it's time is up.

In theory, an 86 4KQ is non-interference and should not be in any danger.

In practice, a number of engines of this type have proven to be
interference engines and have shown serious damage after a belt
failure.

Your mechanic is right (rare, worth cultivating) because the smallest
radius your belt is subjected to is the idler roller, and the subsequent
damage is only visible on the _INSIDE_ of the belt.  You can't judge
the state of a timing belt by examining the outside.

When you get the old belt off tomorrow, turn it inside out and take
another look.

--
 Phil Payne
 Phone: 0385 302803   Fax: 01536 723021
 (The contents of this post will _NOT_ appear in the UK Newsletter.)