Issue: Shelf life timing belts

[LucasDK]

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

 

[CharBaby]

Hmmm!
This is just my way of thinking. However, there may be a Lot# and/or other numbers(meaningless to us) that could represent a build/manufacture date. And though I believe this, I don't know for a fact that these numbers exist on the belt for recall reasons. If you know how to get a hold of the manufacture, they may be able to tell you when it was made

 

[Lubener]

Sitting on a shelf is not the same as being tensioned, installed on a vehicle and exposed to vapors and oil. I wouldn't hesitate at all installing your belt which was carefully stored.

 

[WyrTwister]

Same question for serpentine belts ?

 

[blupupher]

Sitting on a shelf is not the same as being tensioned, installed on a vehicle and exposed to vapors and oil. I wouldn't hesitate at all installing your belt which was carefully stored.

Don't forger heat and friction as well.
I would use a belt stored in a semi climate controlled area (ie attached garage and such) that was purchased 5 years ago.

 

[zzyzzx]

>What is your opinion on that topic?

I only buy timing belt vehicles if it's a non interference engine. Therefore the alleged old date of the new old stock belt wouldn't bother me.

 

[LucasDK]

Don't forger heat and friction as well.
I would use a belt stored in a semi climate controlled area (ie attached garage and such) that was purchased 5 years ago.

But what if it has been on my shelf for 5 years and 10 years on the shelf at the dealership ...

 

[blupupher]

But what if it has been on my shelf for 5 years and 10 years on the shelf at the dealership ...

So long as no cracks, I would still use it.

 

[Trav]

Same here.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

The 4A-FE is non-interference, like most Toyota timing belt engines. Use it with no problem.

You could contact the manufacturer to ask them if it's safe. Someone on here contacted Continental about their TB, and Conti sent him a new one.

 

[CharBaby]

I don't think that(TODAY), dealers & parts stores keep that many belts part #'s in stock. Just a few pf each and when it sells, they get another.

 

[RedSpider]

If this is the 4AFE engine, my dads Corolla went 315,000 miles over 12 years before the idler came apart and brought the poor car to a halt. The belt itself had cracks all over it, but was intact. I hounded him like mad to let me change it, but he was retired and pretty much stayed local and had AAA so he didn't care enough to let me do it.

An unused belt sitting on a dark shelf for 5 years, I wouldn't have a problem with that at all.

 

[tblt44]

I reinstalled a slightly used serpintein belt after sitting in my toolbox in garage 10 years.
No problems

 

[zzyzzx]

I'll take it a step further. I installed what I suspect was a NOS timing belt into my Escort. I suspect NOS because I think Gates stopped making belts in USA and the one that I bought was made in USA. When I replaced the head gasket, I removed this timing belt, and reinstalled it. Still not worried about it, it's actually relatively easy to replace it.

 

[SeaJay]

A bit of overthinking on this topic, but that is what we do here on this site.

 

[bdcardinal]

I don't think that(TODAY), dealers & parts stores keep that many belts part #'s in stock. Just a few pf each and when it sells, they get another.

We don't. I keep a somewhat decent amount of serpentine belts, but only based off of sales history. We generally stock the timing belt for the 1.5/1.6EB, but nothing in Mazda. The parts sit for too long and become idle inventory which is bad for business.