Timing belt replacement based on age?

[nascarnation]

FWIW I've done two timing belt changeouts in the past year, a GM L81 54 deg V6 (Saturn Vue) and a Toyota 3.0 V6 (Lexus ES-330).
Both are 20+ yrs old, the Saturn was 160,000 miles and the Lexus 100,000 miles. Comprehensive owner records on both indicated no timing belt changes. Both belts confirmed to be original via mfgr markings and looked to be in good shape. I'd run that Mitsu until the water pump starts squalling or leaking.

 

[Dadillac]

https://yourcarangel.com/2014/07/interference-engines-complete-list/

Maybe this will help

Don

 

[Elkins45]

https://yourcarangel.com/2014/07/interference-engines-complete-list/

Maybe this will help

Don

• 3.0L DOHC Interference
• 3.0L SOHC 12 Valve Engine Non-Interference
• 3.0L SOHC 24 Valve Engine Interference

Edmunds says it’s a 24 valve SOHC so that would make it an interference design.

That’s a lot of lobes on a single cam.

 

[Nessism1]

I'd run it until you hit the 10 year mark. No immediate concern.

 

[Elkins45]

I'd run it until you hit the 10 year mark. No immediate concern.

It passed the 10 year mark eight years ago.

 

[Nessism1]

It passed the 10 year mark eight years ago.

Oops! Missed the year. My bad. I'd change it. Don't think it's necessary to change before driving home, though.

 

[Number_35]

• 3.0L DOHC Interference
• 3.0L SOHC 12 Valve Engine Non-Interference
• 3.0L SOHC 24 Valve Engine Interference

Edmunds says it’s a 24 valve SOHC so that would make it an interference design.

That’s a lot of lobes on a single cam.

The list contains at least one error - it states that the Mazda 3.0 SOHC V6 is an interference engine. That is not the case - it's well known to be non-interference.

The now-defunct MPVClub.com site had many stories of broken timing belts and undamaged engines, and a several professional mechanics confirmed same.

Therefore, I don't think we can conclude anything about this Mitsu engine either way.

 

[Elkins45]

My 2014 V6 Outlander has the same timing belt configuration. I'm at 84K miles and ten years. Manual says 105K miles for replacement. It is ambiguous about time but does say 84 months if the vehicle is used for 'severe service' what ever that means. Since I bought the car new in June 2015 technically it is still within the ten year warranty period.

I'm agnostic about belts v. chains.

My local guy says it takes a special tool so he won’t do a belt change. The closest Mitsubishi dealer quoted $1400.

This is why I’m not agnostic about belt v. chain.

 

[brages]

• 3.0L DOHC Interference
• 3.0L SOHC 12 Valve Engine Non-Interference
• 3.0L SOHC 24 Valve Engine Interference

Edmunds says it’s a 24 valve SOHC so that would make it an interference design.

That’s a lot of lobes on a single cam.

You should see a J35 Honda cam (24v SOHC V6 w/VCM)

 

[paulo57509]

I drove a 2007 Mitsubishi Outlander V6 with 34000 original miles today. Sadly Google tells me this engine uses a timing belt instead of a chain. I haven’t paid for a Carfax to see if it’s been done but my guess is that it’s the original from 2007 still in there. The vehicle is in beautiful shape and it's dirt cheap, but it’s over an hour from home and I have visions of the belt snapping and wrecking the valves on the drive home.

Do you preemptively change timing belts based on age? On a related note, how much of a pain is it to change the belt in this engine?

I suppose I could go get it on a trailer and haul it directly to my mechanic LOL.

Is the seller private party or a dealership? If it's a dealer, you might get lucky and the car might already be listed on Carfax. There might be a free Carfax report attached to the listing.

No sticker under the hood?

 

[supton]

Is the seller private party or a dealership? If it's a dealer, you might get lucky and the car might already be listed on Carfax. There might be a free Carfax report attached to the listing.

No sticker under the hood?

View attachment 261780

Stickers are good, but then you worry about who did the work, and what corners they cut! and it won't matter if it's a corner shop or dealer, anyone can be a hack.

But it does at least say something, that sticker.