Reuse timing belt w/30k?

[drcustom]

I bought a motor with 90k, owned by a mechanic, and had the timing belt replaced at 60k (it was definitely replaced at some point based off of the new md#). Overall the motor is very nice.

I'm building this car to sell, and as much as I'd like to re-use it, I'm wondering if I should just replace the belt while I'm in there? Cash is a big consideration, but I'm not out to cut any corners. I will be replacing other parts such as the pulleys and water pump, etc.

My first thought is just to do it because I'm in there, but then again 30k is a good ways away. Any thoughts either way?

[BlueVelocity]

I would do it and make it a selling point.

Erron S.

[Cloud]

The timing belt can go way longer than 60k imo, my dad has a galant with the original timing belt at 170k miles (scary lol). Its really the balance shaft belt that fails and kills the timing belt unless a pulley goes or tension is set wrong. I have had 3 timing belt failures happen to me during owning a dsm, all of which have been because of the balance shaft belt. In fact I have run a goodyear timing belt with a small tear in it for 20k miles of beating the crap out of it, oil soaking it, and general abuse and the crack never even spread, the belt was fine. That said, when I built the stroker I still bought a new belt, but that was a 1k investment that definitely warranted it =P

[D Walker]

I wouldnt use it on a car I didnt intend to keep for myself, knowing the consequences of my actions.

[drcustom]

the consequences

I'm with you on this one. On one hand I feel like it'll be fine, but then again it's what, $70 for peace of mind...I could probably charge that much more for the car...

make it a selling point

That's a good call. The car does need some body work, and convertible motors, but it would be nice to say the engine is rock solid.

Ok, looks like I'm going to replace it. Anyone have a new OEM one lying around :D

[Shane]

just but a crappy one from checker or autozone, your selling the car why do you care if its an oem?

[D Walker]

Im guessing you dont realize that the Goodyear and Dayton belts that Advance and Autozone carry are probably superior to the OEM Mitsu ones right? An that they all cost about the same?

[drcustom]

just but a crappy one from checker or autozone, your selling the car why do you care if its an oem?

I don't like to half ass anything, even if it's not for me...I'm trying to build this car the way I would want someone to build a car for me. Aside from paint and body it's going to be really nice, so I might as well do it right.

I've also got an OEM TOB with about 12k miles on it...it looks perfect but for ~$30 I'm happy to do it right. I figure these things add up and it might cost a couple hundred extra bucks, but I'm thinking I can recoup that for a car that hasn't been thrown together...I know I would pay a premium for something done right. Even if I don't get top dollar for it, I'll be making money either way...the goal here is not to squeeze every last dollar out of the car - sure I'm making some money, but more importantly I'm making room, so I'm hoping that if nothing else these mods will help it sell quicker.


Im guessing you dont realize that the Goodyear and Dayton belts that Advance and Autozone carry are probably superior to the OEM Mitsu ones right? An that they all cost about the same?

From the 20 or so timing failures that I've seen, most of the ones with belt issues were either exremely old OEM ones (probably well over 100k), or off brands. I haven't seen any OEM belts have any problems with decent miles...and I haven't paid much attention to the other ones that have failed, I've just given up on aftermarket all together and stuck with OEM...again, for $20 more or whatever it's a small price to pay for peace of mind...but I'm more concerned with qualiity.

I'm really not that familiar with non-OEM belts, why do you think they're better?

[D Walker]

Personally I really like the Goodyear belts, but that probably more personal bias than any science.I believe I read in a trade magazine years ago that Goodyear t-blets have a lot more modern technology in them designed to make them last a long time with minimal stretch or decay. Years ago I put a Goodyear belt on my car, drove it about 20-30k miles, blew the engine from old age, rebuilt the engine(used same belt) and drove it another 20k or so before it blew the HG. A friend was trying to get his car done one weekend and forgot to get a new t-belt before the shops closed, so I loaned him my nearly 60k belt telling him to get a new one later in the week. AFAIK he is still driving on that belt, and its been about 4 years, or since I moved from TN to here.
In the shop we use OEM belts.Of my two TSI's one has an OEM and another has a Dayton.

[drcustom]

Are the goodyear ones those Gatorbacks or whatever? I do remember seeing one of those and thought it looked a little more rugged...but didn't feel like first impression was really the best thing to judge from.

I haven't heard of Dayton at all...who sells those?

[D Walker]

Yes Goodyear belts are called Gatorbacks. Dayton belts are carried by a lot of people, they are a decently high-end belt.

[Shane]

I trust goodyear Gatorbacks. Gates belts are also really good. If i was to fix up a car to sell i would just buy the least expensive parts to make more profit, your not screwing them over because you are putting a new belt on. I have never heard of a Gatorback or a Gates belt failing ever when installed correctly.

Aftermarket companies usually manufacture products to meet or beat oem quality so i wouldn't be worried that just cuz its not oem it will fail sooner. Mots timing related problems are due to user error ex: not properly tightening the tensioner bearing, missing a tooth, not using the factory shields for the belt, not replacing the belt on time. Save yourself the $20, it does not need oem.

[biglady112]

I have a belt that was bought from mitsubishi. It has roughly 1800 miles on it. I would let it go for a fair price. If you really want to reuse one. Not that I would, unless I installed it myself and know when it was installed. Let me know.

Steven

[D Walker]

I honestly cant believe your trying to sell a used timing belt...

[biglady112]

Edited by Doric: - that's not nice.