Timing belt replacement...........Need advice

[Greenz]

Hello everyone,

I am planning to replace my timing belt, water pump, and pulleys soon. I have 95k on an '02 Mazda protege 5spd manual. I've looked on several sites for kits and right now I'm deciding between Gates and Dayco and need opinions from those who have purchased there products. Which one is more reliable/superior? Have you experienced or heard of any of the parts {belt or tensioners} failing prematurely, or at all. I know that Gates is currently the supplier for Mazda timing belts, but I heard there is a difference in quality from OEM and aftermarket. Another concern I have is the pulleys and whether or not they will survive another 100k miles. Thanks for any and all help you can offer. Links are below.

Dayco Kit
http://www.racepages.com/includes/secure...WQgd2FycmFudHku

Gates Kit
http://www.racepages.com/includes/secure...QgS2l0&text

 

[meep]

I prefer gates but have had gates TBs stretch prematurely. Prefer OEM TBelt based on experience whenever possible.

M

 

[SLCraig]

Is the belt change on that car recommended at 100K miles?

Just wondering, I have a friend with a Protege5.

I've used both those brands in the past with drive belts and never had any probs, but no experience with t-belts. I only owned 1 car with a timing belt and I never had to change it on my car.

 

[javacontour]

105K miles unless you operate in extremely cold temps

 

[Trav]

I prefer OEM and change everything e.g. pulleys,water pump,tensioner etc in there.Nothing like have something go out 20K later after doing all that work.
Then its done and i sleep good at night.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

Just make sure you get OEM and not local sourced service replacement part at the dealer parts window - thats common practice to see non-oem, though make-branded parts come across the window.

 

[scurvy]

I've used both Gates & Dayco belts for the two timing belt jobs I've done recently. Both are excellent quality and last an easy 100k miles - the recommended timing belt replacement interval.

I concur with Trav, you should also replace everything else (within reason) the belt touches: rollers, idlers, water pump, tensioner, etc... of course the cam sprocket isn't usually replaced.

 

[spackard]

It's a little more involved than just a belt, tensioner, and water pump, I think. I recently bought kits from timingbeltkit.com through Amazon; did a '92 Acura Vigor with 223k miles and will soon do a '03 Acura TL-S with 52k miles (age, not mileage).

For your car: '02 Mazda Protege

They use good quality belts (Bando on the accessory belts and I can't remember the mfgr. of the timing belt). My camshaft seal did need replacing (it was in the kit). I should have done the crank seal but couldn't get it off with the tools I had so left it for another day. Also needed to replace some transmission cooling hoses and radiator hoses.

The old engine seals had become hard and brittle. I replaced a lot more seals and O-rings than listed here.

 

[Greenz]

105k is the recommending change per the OM. I am also replacing the wp, vc gasket, seals etc which I'm getting from Mazda. As for the drive belts I replaced them 3k miles ago with bando belts which were og OEM belts on the car.

I don't have a problem with oem Timing belt and tensioner and idler pulley. The only thing is I would hate to pay $130, and $45 for OEM branded parts when there is something else of similar or better quality for less. That is the main reason I'm asking about the two kits. If they are just as reliable then why would pay more you know?

 

[Greenz]

Originally Posted By: ARCOgraphite
Just make sure you get OEM and not local sourced service replacement part at the dealer parts window - thats common practice to see non-oem, though make-branded parts come across the window.


how can you tell which is local and which is OEM?

 

[spackard]

Originally Posted By: Greenz
105k is the recommending change per the OM. I am also replacing the wp, vc gasket, seals etc which I'm getting from Mazda. As for the drive belts I replaced them 3k miles ago with bando belts which were og OEM belts on the car.

I don't have a problem with oem Timing belt and tensioner and idler pulley. The only thing is I would hate to pay $130, and $45 for OEM branded parts when there is something else of similar or better quality for less. That is the main reason I'm asking about the two kits. If they are just as reliable then why would pay more you know?


It looks like you're paying for Gates' limited lifetime warranty. The Dayco is 12 month, 12k miles. FWIW, I do like Dayco's Q&A web page, reachable from this thread:
Dayco Q&A thread

 

[Quest]

Originally Posted By: Greenz
... for OEM branded parts when there is something else of similar or better quality for less....


Riight...! As if you can get better quality (esp. idler tensioner bearings, aftermarket water pumps from aftermarkets) than OEM in this case.

T-belt, maybe. I'm with GAtes for domestic Hondas; Mitsuboshi (tri-star) for most Jpn built imports, never had a problem at all (I'm still servicing a fleet of vehicles for friends, relatives, etc.)

Just remember this: T-belt replacement with all the replacement bearings included is no funny matter: what you pay now is what you get later.

Imagine when your water pump or idler tensioner bearings seized up shortly after you skimp on your T-belt servicing...you gonna pay dearly for that.

Q.

 

[Greenz]

Fellas I just want to know if you used these particular kits, or know of anyone who has and what the outcome was. I understand the importance of quality parts which is why I am asking for persoanl experience. NOT all OEM parts are reliable, lets be hones. Mazda makes some of the cheapest motor mounts, and the aftermarket motor mounts are more durable than OEM, and cheaper.

That is the basis for this post. Not trying to be cheap, but smart. IF you guys said I used the dayco kit, or the gates kit and it failed on me, stay away from it, then fine I get that. But just saying OEM is better, and don't skimp b/c you will pay later doesn't help much. I appreciate all of you for offering your opinions and advise.

 

[Greenz]

Originally Posted By: scurvy
I've used both Gates & Dayco belts for the two timing belt jobs I've done recently. Both are excellent quality and last an easy 100k miles - the recommended timing belt replacement interval.

I concur with Trav, you should also replace everything else (within reason) the belt touches: rollers, idlers, water pump, tensioner, etc... of course the cam sprocket isn't usually replaced.


did you also use the idler and tensioner pulleys from them or was it just the belts?

 

[scurvy]

Originally Posted By: Greenz
did you also use the idler and tensioner pulleys from them or was it just the belts?


Just the belts. Everything else was an OEM supplied part via VW and my favorite vendor for such (idparts): INA rollers, Litens tensioner, Graf or Geba waterpump (can't recall, but both are OEM). Cam seals weren't leaking so I left them alone.

 

[The Critic]

Originally Posted By: Greenz
Originally Posted By: ARCOgraphite
Just make sure you get OEM and not local sourced service replacement part at the dealer parts window - thats common practice to see non-oem, though make-branded parts come across the window.


how can you tell which is local and which is OEM?

Motorcraft and AC Delco are probably examples of what Arcographite was talking about.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

A Subaru wireset and Mazda wireset were the last moderate dollar item I was to buy but across a parts window, but skipped it since the parts were not same oem fabrique au japon using Packard wire. The wires were Junk. Sorry cant add any experience with aftermarket timing sets within the last 10 years.

 

[mattd]

I prefer OEM, and OEM only based on experience.

 

[Eddie]

I too go with OEM in this case

 

[EricF]

You'd be good with a Gates TB kit, however, I would NOT get the Gates water pump. Go with an Aisin or OEM.
Gates doesn't make the water pumps, they're sourced from wherever from what I've seen.
the pully's and rubber are top notch imho