Time frame for replacing accessory belts

[Finklejag]

My parents have a 02 PT Crusier with 54,000 miles on it. It is do for some preventive maintenance in the next 6 months. Some things that need to be done are.

Flush transmission fluid
Flush coolant
Replace spark plugs and wires.

I just found out that the 2.4L has three belts. 1 alternator belt, 1 PS/AC belt, 1 timing belt. I have really grown to hate this engine. It gets 25mpg max, you have to remove the intake manifold to get to the spark plugs, and now two accessory belts.

My parents live in the California desert, so I would think the belts would dry rot before they hit the mileage to replace both of them. Would you go longer then 8 years without replacing these belts?

Thanks

 

[The Critic]

My dad's Toyota van has 17 years and 87,000 miles on the original belts and they still look fine.

 

[tomcat27]

see how many cracks are in the belts. you must remove the intake to get to the plugs? I have the 2.4 altho its in a sebring... are they platinum plugs? if so, good for more than 54k.

 

[Spector]

Timing belt, if interference engine replace it 7 years old. One does not take a chance with a timing belt on an inteference engine. Age is a factor in addition to miles. at 54,000 it may be time,

 

[Falcon_LS]

Depends on the environment they operate in, and how the vehicle is used. I tend to replace mine every year/36,000 miles.

 

[Bud]

See what your owners manual says and in between check the belt for wear, cracking, etc. I do mine every 5 years and have never had a belt failure. If the Cruiser has been running the same belt since 02, I would get it changed. Don't want to take a chance on being left on the side of the road. If it were my parents car I would sure change it out. A failure and you will hear about it for the rest of your life. At least I would if it were mine.

 

[Finklejag]

Originally Posted By: tomcat27
see how many cracks are in the belts. you must remove the intake to get to the plugs? I have the 2.4 altho its in a sebring... are they platinum plugs? if so, good for more than 54k.


Yes, on this 2.4L you must remove the intake manifold. The PT comes with copper plugs, and has to be replaced every 30K.

 

[Warstud]

I think the rule of thumb is.. if it has more than 10 cracks per inch then it's time to replace it. And considering it's a 02 I would guess it's about time.
After reading your post I decided to go and check mine and all is good. It's a Good-Year belt that run about 50 bucks. More expensive than the others but it has over 100,000 miles on it and is still in good shape.

 

[wantin150]

Timing, timing, timing. Friend had a low mileage PT which threw the timing belt. Wasn't pretty.

 

[mjoekingz28]

You could try spraying some belt conditioner or silicone/armor all on the belt to prolong it and keep it from dry-rotting.

 

[H2GURU]

If the belts are in a rotation that is totally circular then 100,000 + is fine (found in older vehicles where there's lots of room). If at any point the belt bends backwards running over an idler, which puts 2 kinds of flex on belt, then 60,000 w/b the max and many fail shorter or show signs of cracking at 30,000. Timing belts are listed in your manual... some are 60,000 and most Asians are 90,000-105,000.

 

[drewjp]

I just did most of that stuff to my car. I agree with you on the spark plug thing. That's why I change them only every 50k or so with NGK iridiums.

My car just hit 65k, and I thought while I was changing my strut mount, to just go ahead and change the belts. Factory belts looked very nice still, but since I already had the splash guard off and new belts purchased, I figured I'd change them.

The OEM belts were quite a bit thinner than the nice Daycos I replaced them with. I figure 90k easy on the new belts.

Oh, and timing belt is supposed to be changed at 85k in these things.

 

[andyd]

I replace belts along with the timing belt on my 528e. Every 60k miles.

 

[VNTS]

I would say weight until 90K and do all the belts at once when the timing belt is done. Also have the water pump and tensioner and cam seals done while it is apart.

I have the turbo and the aluminum intake. The upper half of the manifold does not have to be removed to do the plugs, can change the plugs in about 15 min including setting the gaps.

 

[harry j]

Originally Posted By: andyd
I replace belts along with the timing belt on my 528e. Every 60k miles.




Same here.

 

[artificialist]

Originally Posted By: wantin150
Timing, timing, timing. Friend had a low mileage PT which threw the timing belt. Wasn't pretty.

That, and in many cases I have seen a pulley on the T-belt fail.

On a Chrysler 2.4, replace the belt, and everything rotating on it at the same time. The OE timing equipment is terrible when compared to a Honda or Toyota.

I can't remember if the PT has a T-belt driven water pump. If it has one, replace it at the same time you replace the T-belt.

 

[VNTS]

The 2.4 is no worse than any Toy or Honda. I believe Gates is the OEM so I am sure Honda has nothing up on a quality gates part.

They rate them 90K or 72 months to change. Like any car most go longer and a few may not make the 90K mark. I think the new cruisers are 105K

I know someone with a SRT4 and he got like 190K miles before he changed his.

I had mine snuck under an extended warratny at 79K For a C note they repalced the cam seals, crank seals, water pump, tensioner, timing belt, and both accesory belts. I also bought two new engien mounts and the tech installed them at same time for free since had them out to access the t-belt. I have the old parts and the belt still looked good to me, I would have no issues running the next one to 105K.