Mx5 timing belt

[Russellb]

the timing belt is replaced every 100 000Kms I've been in the trade for 7 years and NEVER heard of the 5 year thing
just a money making scam

[adamjp]

I agree with Russell, but to cinch it, why don't you call Mazda and ask them what the service interval is?

[mr_rotary]

the timing belt is replaced every 100 000Kms I've been in the trade for 7 years and NEVER heard of the 5 year thing
just a money making scam

However rubber does perrish over time.....

[Russellb]

Yes Oil and UV affect the life of the belt
End of last year I changed the first belt on a 89 NA.
so in 18 years the belt hadn't broken due to age

[JBT]

.....told me that timing belt either gets replaced at 100k km or so or after 5 years. can anyone confirm this>?

my car is 2001 NB model so its now in its 6th year but has travelled only 53k km. jason seemed genuinely honest and knows his stuff but i just wanted to get a few other opinions on this matter!!

I believe Jason is absolutely honest.

However, the owners manual for our NA and our 2002 Astina both state (regarding timing belt) "replace every 100,000km" in the maintenance table. It also states further down the page to change it at every 100,000km and warns of belt failure damage to engine. No time is given.

[CT]

Trust Jason. His advice would be soundly based.

[sabretooth]

Five yearly changes are just safe practice. It's nobody trying to pull a scam - it comes down to convenience and future protection. You wanna pay the $50 for the belt now, or $90+ for the tow when it snaps?

[jules]

It's not a cheap job though.

Jules

[Bevan]

Jason is known on here for being honest, reliable and thorough.

[Alex]

take a look at the belt and see if it needs replacing, sounds simple, if it appears to have hairline surface cracks (like rubber has when old) or when you try and bend it it doens't feel right then replace it if it looks newish don't

[JBT]

Ummmmm...........we're talking about the CAM belt here, not a fan belt.

[veecee]

I'm going to get mine done by Top Tune next week. Mine's a 98 NB8A so the belts a little older and had a little more use (70k km). Given the service history of my car is a little flakey and I want to do some trackwork soon, I think it's good insurance.