timing belt

[peterd]

Hey guys I'm wondering if I should do the timing belt on my nb8a before I drive syd to melb for Xmas. It's done 90k. Iwould be doing the belt at some stage anyway.
Asking what you think cause if I were to breakdown in the middle of nowhere on Xmas day I'll be stuffed.

[hks_kansei]

Thankfully the mx5 is non interference, which means if the belt goes nothing is really damaged. (Unlike some other cars where the piston smashes valves to bits)
I've had one go, no damage.

Of course, if it does break you're still stranded since the car won't run, and a timing belt isn't really a side of the road thing (depending on experience, my gf and I did the camshaft cam gear, etc on he side of the road in our kingswood a couple of years back..... Don't recommend it)

I'd do it beforehand, they're supposed to last 100,000km, but not all do (my old one stripped the teeth off at 80,000)

Do the water pump while you're there if it t hasn't been done recently.

Biggest recommendation, buy a gates brand timing belt.
Never heard of one letting go before its time.
Chinese brands I've had first hand experience with them snapping.

[greenMachine]

Hey guys I'm wondering if I should do the timing belt on my nb8a before I drive syd to melb for Xmas. It's done 90k.

The belt has done 90k, or the car has done 90k?

If the belt is oem (ie the car has done 90k), I would not worry about it for the balance of the 100k. Even a bit more.

But if it is its second or third belt, and you don't know what sort of belt it is, then since it seems you are worried about it, and it is going to be done soonish anyway, get it done before your trip for peace of mind if nothing else.

[Mr Morlock]

The 100,000 klm is only a recommendation and engineers recommendations will be conservative. I would not be changing it until somewhere north of 100,000. Consider also that it can be quite expensive to do this work and Xmas which is often a high cost time for many people- save the money for presents or hols. Absolutely no good reason to change at 90K - its not necessary just get on and drive it.

[madmort]

I have just done my T/Belt/ Water pump @ 87K and 15 years, Belt was loose and worn. I sleep like a baby now and I'm not planning a long trip.

[project.r.racing]

I had an BP engine go 265K on the original timing belt before I pulled it out. Motorkhanas, autocrosses, laps around Lakeside and Queensland Raceway. The rings and valve stem seals were well gone. Timing belt still had correct tension and no cracks or frays.

[hks_kansei]

The 100,000 klm is only a recommendation and engineers recommendations will be conservative. I would not be changing it until somewhere north of 100,000.t.

Bear in mind that the 100,000km suggestion is from Mazda, who would be assuming you are using Mazda brand parts.

Seeing as even the most recent NBs are coming up to 10 years old there's no guarantee the previous owners have used parts of the same quality as Mazda would have.

Also, there is the time, the belts are rubber and do degrade over time.


Normally I would just say leave it, but since I've had a belt break at only 80,000km I'd be doing it before a long trip.

Also keep in mind that if the belt does let go somewhere in country NSW it's likely to be a very expensive towing charge to he nearest mechanic (again, personal experience)

[peterd]

Thanks for the replies.

Its a bit of damned if you do damned if you dont it seems. But the car id 1999 model, been well looked after, I think it might have sat around for awhile with a previous owner and not dríven much which accounts for the low millage. Also its still on the original timing belt.

Couple other things.

I was wondering if I did the timing belt it might be a good time cost wise to add some other goodies. I was thinking of a mild inlet cam and headers. Already have a cat back stainless 2.5 inch exhaust and npower sports muffler, I wouldnt mind a bit more exhaust bark but dont want to get too loud or droning at highway speeds

Any comments would be appreciated. Like what it all could cost and personal experiences along these lines

[93_Clubman]

A compromise might be in order, ie remove the cam cover & check the condition of the cam belt inside & out by rotating it.
Also, if you're concerned about being stranded somewhere isolated during Xmas/New Year, don't do the mods you propose before then given there's only about 40 days to Xmas. Do the mods by all means next year, as modded cams on an NB8A is not quite as simple a process as on the NA.

[peterd]

That's probably the way to go. Get a service done and have them check the belt for condition. If all looks good get it done later, if not do it before travelling.

[rpost77]

I was under the impression that Mazda recommend to change the timing belt at 100K or 10 years (could be wrong).

I changed my original (1991 NA6) around 100K (which from memory was before 10 years) and then again around 170K (around 10 years on from the previous change). Could have left it longer but was getting a bunch of stuff done at the same time (radiator, hoses, clutch etc.) so it made sense to also do the timing belt (and water pump).

No harm in doing it early - conversely (as others have stated) you could leave it for another 100K and maybe not have issues - one of those luck things I guess.

I had a Twin Cam Corolla in 1990 with low mileage (around 40K I think) and was puttering along in Sydney - pulled up at lights - lights go green, press accelerator and something goes SNAP! and engine dies. Luckily I had better sense than to try and restart - timing belt had snapped - was a tow to a Toyota service to get it fixed - inconvenient but in Sydney so not too troublesome. Goes to show that it can occur at any time.

If you don't want to do before you go on your trip - maybe think about buying the parts for the change (belt, water pump etc.) and taking them with you - that way if the worst does happen it's a tow to someone with tools and garage to do the job and you have all the parts available (and therefor won't have to wait for them to be ordered/shipped to some remote location). If you don't end up having to use the parts on the trip then you can just hand them to your mechanic when you get it done on return (assuming you are not your own mechanic).

[Mr Morlock]

Its pretty simple- you dont need to change a belt at 90K. Its not based on time either. Do to it early and you spend probably $800 when you don't need to.How many K's a yer is the car doing. Other mods- thats another subject. Labour cost anything around $100 per hour. Comes the time to decide not saw wood.

[peterd]

I was under the impression that Mazda recommend to change the timing belt at 100K or 10 years (could be wrong).

I changed my original (1991 NA6) around 100K (which from memory was before 10 years) and then again around 170K (around 10 years on from the previous change). Could have left it longer but was getting a bunch of stuff done at the same time (radiator, hoses, clutch etc.) so it made sense to also do the timing belt (and water pump).

No harm in doing it early - conversely (as others have stated) you could leave it for another 100K and maybe not have issues - one of those luck things I guess.

I had a Twin Cam Corolla in 1990 with low mileage (around 40K I think) and was puttering along in Sydney - pulled up at lights - lights go green, press accelerator and something goes SNAP! and engine dies. Luckily I had better sense than to try and restart - timing belt had snapped - was a tow to a Toyota service to get it fixed - inconvenient but in Sydney so not too troublesome. Goes to show that it can occur at any time.

If you don't want to do before you go on your trip - maybe think about buying the parts for the change (belt, water pump etc.) and taking them with you - that way if the worst does happen it's a tow to someone with tools and garage to do the job and you have all the parts available (and therefor won't have to wait for them to be ordered/shipped to some remote location). If you don't end up having to use the parts on the trip then you can just hand them to your mechanic when you get it done on return (assuming you are not your own mechanic).

Yes I thought of that too probably a good move in case the worst happens atleast the parts are ready to go

[OMY005]

Do the cam and crank seals while your at it. They're cheap and easy to get at whilst the belt is being done.

Andrew.