How often should the timing belt on a 2G be replaced? I heard 90-100K, which seemed right, but I also heard 60K from someone else. Any thoughts on that? Roughly how much does it cost also? Install would not be done by me, but by a mechanic.

60K Miles = 90-100K kms

I'd say do it ever 80,000-90,000 Kms or so. Some people do it sooner, but I personally don't think that's necessary, especially on the first one.

In my opinion, you are taking a big gamble if you aren't planning on replacing everything on that side of the engine, not just the timing belt! (i.e. you should replace the timing belt, balance belt, accessory belts, all pulleys, tensioners, etc., water pump, ...). The parts alone are approx. $600CDN if you order from the U.S. (e.g. Tallahasse Mitsubishi) or probably close to $1000 if you order locally (best to call and confirm that number though... )

Labour should be $300-$400.

[ December 27, 2001: Message edited by: Jeff Mitchell ]

Here's a list I posted a while back with all the prices for the T-Belt stuff:

<A HREF="http://www.ca.dsm.org/cgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=1&t=002189">Timing Belt Price list</A>

Note that the list doesn't include the Balance belt and B-belt pulley.

Why is it a big gamble if you only replace the t-belt?

If you only replace the timing belt and one of the others break like the counter shaft belt it can come off and get tangled up in the timing belt and take it out too

To replace the timing belt, balance belt, accessory belts, all pulleys, tensioners, and water pump, costs around $800

For example:

If you change all the belts, pulleys, but don't change the water pump, chances are your water pump will have to be replaced shortly, and to replace the water pump alone, you have to do the timing belt again.
That's another $800 just to replace the water pump.

Did I make any sense??

All timing belt parts for the 2g cost just under $500 at wholesale dealer cost.

1g is in the same ballpark, costs a little more though.

$300-$400 is typical labor cost.

Why is it a gamble to only replace the t-belt? Well what usually causes the t-belt to break is the balance belt. When the balance belt breaks it will most likely hit the t-belt causing it to either break or skip which is not cheap to fix.So if you skip out on the balance belt your just asking for trouble.

Do the job right the first time, even if it costs more up front. Cutting corners with the timing belt will only cost you more in the end.

Where do you think I can get timing belt and all other belts!! "of that side" for 1G engine

does anybody now where I should look for the plastic cover of timing belt, the side panel which goes underneath the cranck shaft pully?

Chrysler sells it for some non-sense $300-400

what do you think if it costs 700 to change timing belt and 750 to buy a new engine that I can swap myself???

Sounds like I'm going to take a big financial hit. I know this will sound redundant, but I want to make sure, because I am extremely low on cash; by only replacing the t-belt, b-belt, and water pump, I will still be taking a gamble?(I know, I am trying to find a way to cut corners) Are the accessory belts that important?

somebody correct me if i'm wrong, but you probably could skip the alt and ac belt, aren't they in front of the timing belt where they could be changed afterwards and not affect the t-belt if they broke. the water pump is behind the t-belt, so change the belt since you're changing the pump anyways.

[ December 28, 2001: Message edited by: sean peterson ]

if your short on dough, just change out the the timing belt, tensioner, balance belt....skip the rest.

Goto the junk yard for the front belt cover.There's plenty of them around...the cover for the 92-94 Hyundia Sonata and elantra are the same I believe.

So Len, by only changing what you specified in the earlier post, I won't be running much of a risk (only changing the t-belt, b-belt, and tensioner). However, referring back to Carlos's post, it seems like I should get the water pump changed as well. So, t-belt, b-belt, tensioner, and water pump would be adequate? If any of the other things that I didn't change went, I wouldn't be affecting what I did change now?

By the way, thanks for all of the help that everyone has given me so far, it's really appreciated.

If you are low on cash and can do this yourself, then I would just change the Timing belt, tensioner, and the balance shaft belt. The pulleys and water pump... in my experiances, will give you lots of warning before they decide to let go. The bearing noise is unmistakeable, but a balance shaft belt can stop things in an awlful hurry.

On the other hand, if you are going to be paying somone to do this, then I would get it all over with in one shot.... it would suck to have to turn around and spend another $300 on labour a month down the road, just because one of the pullies gave out.

Just my 2 cents.
A.

Exactly, you might be saving money at first, but it might end up costing you more later on.

If you could get someone to help you do this yourself you could save on the labor and be able to replace all the parts.

[ December 28, 2001: Message edited by: Ryan Hutchins ]

Are all the pullies and accessory belts THAT prone to breaking or slipping??...my buddy has a 95 TSI, and when his car reached 100K, he replaced the basics(t-belt, b-belt, tensioner)...his car is at 140K now, and he has had no problems with anything timing belt related...maybe its the fact that he doesn't race his car..??...I'm not saying that his route is the best, just saying that it's worked for him so far...

I'm a firm believer that the pulleys/tensioner, water pump, etc. only need to be changed every OTHER T-belt swap. (ie: 180 000/360 000...)

I'm running 275 000 kms now.. last time I changed the tensioner/pulleys/water pump was 178 000 which means it wasn't even 100 000 km ago.

It worked fine for the first 178 000 though..

292,000kms on my original pulleys I changed out the waterpump when I did the engine rebuild, I thought it was about time.

Steve, do you also change your accessory belts every OTHER T-belt swap? How about oil seals?