ThaboTheWuff

I am looking to go on a road trip from Colorado to California in the summer. Probably around 2000 to 3000 miles - my D2 has about 191,000 miles on her, timing belt was changed at 130 K (I believe the gent who owned car did change water pump and did a good job) . I know that the newer recommendation is around 75K so this would put me 10K or so before I need to change the belt.

Question is, is it worth the risk? I have been reading up on the debate, it's not the belt but the ancillary hardware that seems to be the issue right - guides, water pump. I have noticed the engine being a little more noisy as of late. Perhaps we should just take our other car but it's so much louder than the D2.

Your thought? Anyway to see what might be making the noise without ripping the car apart - not overly loud just a little more metallic than usual. Car is a mess, leaks oil, needs a front upper control arm but is quiet and stable at highway speeds. (****e, perhaps I'll just drive it out there are swap it for a slighter new one in CA!)

jfrahm

I would not worry at all about the timing belt. Maybe a timing belt roller, but hopefully it'd make noise before fragging. Timing belt itself is OK for over 100K miles IMO.

I would not set off without a check/change of the serpentine belt and the serpentine belt tensioner roller and idler. The tensioner roller was pretty wasted on my car at around 150K miles. There is a Hyundai 2.7L part that replaces just the roller and saves $50 or so. The idler bearing is easily repacked and it'd probably last another 100K although I replaced mine as they are not expensive.

Pushbutton_auto

OIL ..................................

ThaboTheWuff

I recall replacing the serpentine belt when I replaced the fan clutch assembly a year or three ago. Not sure I replace the tensioner.

of course in the end I need to be a big boy and make my own decision not rely on some bloke on the Internet when I'm stuck in the middle of death Valley with family on the side of the road and a blown engine :-)

The car is worth $2000, obviously I don't want to get a timing belt job done even if I do it myself, don't have time, so I'm just being a cheapskate here. I plan to buy another D2 with 90,000 miles on it in October anyway. Like I said, the engine as of late seems to be a bit more noisier than usual but perhaps it's just getting old 190 thousand miles.

jfrahm

Well if the tensioner roller has not been replaced it's probably dry and running hot. Eventually the bearing will frag. The fan support bearing should also be serviceable but they seem to last longer.

Timing belts have gone way way past 100K without issue on these cars, I'd be more concerned about the water pump or a roller failing. It might be worth trying to localize your noises. It'd be a little nuts to set off with a screaming dry bearing or two on the front of the engine. Or a noisy water pump.