How to check timing belt?

[M1Accord]

I am looking at this vehicle that run very well. Everything is check out except timing belt. The belt cover plate has a writing indicating it was change at certain mile (about 30k miles ago) There is no paperwork to backup this fact. I know that most people are not good with receipt so I figure I must go with the seller's words. Sellers are old couple that use this car as their daily groceries and church commute.

My question is: When timing belt is changed, do mechanic automatically write the mileage on the cover so that some dishonest person can't put whatever mile they want on a old belt? Also, is there a way to check if the belt is still good. If it was changed 30k miles ago, it should still be good and has 30k miles life left. Otherwise, I should see a ____ belt, right???

 

[Quattro Pete]

Can the seller tell you which shop did the TB replacement? If so, you may be able to contact that shop/dealer and verify with their records.

 

[JayhawkRoy]

I have seen vehicles where a sticker is applied prominently, indicating a timing belt change. My mechanic does not does this, however. Hard to check to verify if the belt was actually changed. However, given the older couple and the sticker, I would believe it was properly changed. It has at least 30K left if it was changed 30K mi ago. Check at gates.com timing belt guide to identify when it should be changed again, based on year and model of car.

 

[M1Accord]

I think they may have bought it from other people and drove it for like 2 years (10k miles) so they didn't change it themselves, the previous owner changed it. I work with their son so I know they are telling me what they know. Since it drives like a champ as I have borrowed it from their son a few times this past year, sometime for about a week, I figure it must be changed like the label says. Otherwise, it would mess up the engine by now.

Oh and it is not a sticker but rather the belt cover plate has a few line indicating who changes it, when, and what mileage. The only line filled was the mileage. I think this model has 60k interval as it is a older vehicle. It would be nice to have a higher quality replacement belt, maybe even a timing chain so I don't have to worry about it.

ANother question: Do I need to replace the waterpump with the belt change? Thank guys.

 

[M1Accord]

I probably should buy it soon before someone snatch it.

 

[Vilan]

Don't *need* to replace the water pump at the same time, but it's a good idea as preventative maintenance. You can ask other owners of the same car how reliable the pump is if you're wavering.

My car has 60k timing belt change intervals and I'm just under 120k on the original belt. Non-interference though. If the car you're looking at has an interference engine then I'd worry more about it.

 

[JayhawkRoy]

I have always had the water pump changed out when the timing belt was changed. My mechanic recommends it and I agree. The cost of the part is minimal to the cost of opening up stuff again to replace the water pump when it fails. It's just good preventive maintenance.

 

[JTK]

Yep, if you are all the way in there for a T-belt change out, you may as well change the water pump, tensioner and idler(s).

Joel