Hi,
Some background info:
1 Unlike tires, when you buy a brand new timing belt there is no manufacturing date stamped on either the belt or the package itself.
2 A timing belt usually needs to be replaced after xxxxx miles OR x years indicating that a timing belt also ages when not in use. In my particular case I need to change after 40000 miles or 4 years (Toyota Corolla, E9).
3 Recently I had to change my timing belt and had the following options:
a) 5 years ago I bought a timing belt which has been resting on my own shelf under dry conditions without any sunlight. I could use that timing belt.
b) I could buy a brand new timing belt and install that one instead and discard the other one. Price is not an issue since a belt is 10 dollars even for a Gates.
Now the problem:
How do I know if the brand new timing belt hasn't been resting on the shelf at the dealer for 5-10-15 years?
I asked in another forum, chickened out and bought a new belt, convincing myself I did the right thing - but there might be a chance that my (old) belt actually had a newer manufacturing date than the new one I bought.
I think all this requires some attention especially if you drive an older car where the shelves at the dealer are not replaced so often and the belt is just resting for YEARS.
What is your opinion on that topic?
Lucas
Some background info:
1 Unlike tires, when you buy a brand new timing belt there is no manufacturing date stamped on either the belt or the package itself.
2 A timing belt usually needs to be replaced after xxxxx miles OR x years indicating that a timing belt also ages when not in use. In my particular case I need to change after 40000 miles or 4 years (Toyota Corolla, E9).
3 Recently I had to change my timing belt and had the following options:
a) 5 years ago I bought a timing belt which has been resting on my own shelf under dry conditions without any sunlight. I could use that timing belt.
b) I could buy a brand new timing belt and install that one instead and discard the other one. Price is not an issue since a belt is 10 dollars even for a Gates.
Now the problem:
How do I know if the brand new timing belt hasn't been resting on the shelf at the dealer for 5-10-15 years?
I asked in another forum, chickened out and bought a new belt, convincing myself I did the right thing - but there might be a chance that my (old) belt actually had a newer manufacturing date than the new one I bought.
I think all this requires some attention especially if you drive an older car where the shelves at the dealer are not replaced so often and the belt is just resting for YEARS.
What is your opinion on that topic?
Lucas