Timing Belt Story

[houmaite]

One other thing you might do is file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau. Since you weren't the one 'wronged' you might not be able to but if you can it would definitely be a black eye on that crooked dealer.

 

[4esorselrahc]

That's just plain wrong.

Of all the things that should be done right, this is definitely one of them. Thank goodness it has lasted as long at it did. It's sort of a testament to the quality of the belt. Good thing you opened her up and had a looksy.

 

[The Critic]

We had one guy on Acurazine go 200k on the original belt in his 2000 Acura TL. But when he replaced it (actually, he did an engine swap), it was only seven years old at the time.

I think time was the main problem with your timing belt...not mileage.

 

[ThirdeYe]

Back before I knew anything about cars, I believe my old Altima had the original timing belt as well. I didn't even know what a timing belt was

It was still going strong at 128k but I don't recommend trying this at home I'm glad I decided not to wait on the valve adjustment because if I wouldn't have had it in there for that, I wouldn't have known it was that old. I just figured that was what timing belts are supposed to look like after 5 years. I'm going to open the valve cover when I get it back JUST in case

 

[JTK]

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Back before I knew anything about cars, I believe my old Altima had the original timing belt as well..

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No sweat. That Altima had a chain anyway.

Joel

 

[ThirdeYe]

I really should've kept that car

 

[mike1qaz]

Gotta love those old Nissan 2.4L engines. My son's '95 Alti still has the original chain at over 245K. It has been making noise though for quite a while, so it's probably stretched or a tensioner is loose.

 

[ThirdeYe]

Mine had 128k when I sold it and it ran perfectly.. sigh, I thought this would be less of a headache, and it was the complete opposite

Oh well, I still like the car. Only two small things I don't like about it, but ahh well. (Rust and bad inner fender fitment rubbing against the tire)

 

[Cutehumor]

I haven't had one break, but I'm not going to buy a vehicle anymore with a timing belt. timing chains are for me.

 

[PT1]

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I don't know, I asked them that and they swear up and down that it's the original and that it's never been changed.

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That looks a lot like an original to me...dude you are one lucky guy......now what is the Mega Millions Lotto number for tomorrow night?

 

[kustomizingkid]

I had a Honda Del Sol with a D16 in it. That Engine had origonal everything as far as engine components go. It really hadn't had any work done to it besides cv's and a wheel beering.

It was my first car and I didn't car much about maintinece or anything besides driving it. I remeber a few times running at about 110 mph in 4th gear running the engine around 6k for about two or three straight minutes, this was a regular thing too. Never had a single engine problem when I sold it the odometer was at 145k.

Now I'm a little older, and have wisened up a little bit. I actually take care of my cars now.

 

[javacontour]

Ok, I'll ask since I'm not an expert on timing belts. What makes one think that's the original and not a replacement belt with 53K miles on it?

If the belt was changed at 70K and now the car has 123K on the clock, that's a lot of miles on the belt. So how are all of you judging that it's the original belt with 123K and not a belt with 53K on it?

What do I look for to judge belts.

Because, frankly, from the picture I see, I can't see enough to make an educated guess, let alone a sure response.

 

[javacontour]

Oh, where did the pictures go?

 

[ThirdeYe]

I still see the pictures

I'm thinking that because they said it was so loose, that it was replaced but just wore down quicker because of it being loose (could be wrong, but I mentioned it to them and they said that's feasible)

 

[742]

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...but I feel bad for the older lady that had this car before me, as that dealership obviously took advantage of her. I don't think i'd have any luck pursuing it since I wasn't the one that paid for it back in 2002,...

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Perhaps they could be pushed to refund the money to the orginal owner? You would not get anything out of it, but some justice would be served.