timing belt replacement

WaltS · Post by **WaltS** » 31 Mar 2003, 15:28

My '96 850 4 Dr sedan was in to my dealer where I originally purchased it for a seat heater recall the other day. The car has 40,500 miles on the clock. The writer asked if I wanted any other work done and I said no, just the recall.
(I had been in previously in Jan. for a repair at 40,000 due to a Check Engine light and nothing was done at that time except the repair and oil change.)
This time I went home and received a call from the writer that the mechanic said timing belt was in bad shape being cracked and worn. The writer asked if he should have it replaced and I said do it but save me the belt. When I picked up the car the belt was in a box on the front seat. When I got home I looked at the belt and it was like new. I took it to several mechanics to verify what I saw and they all agreed the belt did not need replacement. The belt has been on for 84 months and is in new condition. No cracks or any other problems with it.
I called the dealer and he said the belt should be replaced at 70,000 miles or sooner depending on conditions. He said that he has a time line as well as to when to replace the belt. I called Amex and told them I was contesting the charge. The dealer Service Mgr. called me this AM and said his manual said replace early and since my car has only 40,500 since '96 he believes it is justified. My manual says 70,000 and nothing about early.
Any thought would be appreciated.
Many thanks,
Walt

Pete · Post by **Pete** » 01 Apr 2003, 05:23

in a haynes manual, it states you should change the belt every 5 years or 70,000. this is because belts deteiorated over time, i know your belt may look ok, but the cost of having a new belt fitted to the cost of a new engine, i beleive far out weighs any worries about wether its should or shouldn't be done. after all why else did you pay the mechanic to do the job in the first place.

Post by **matthew1** » 01 Apr 2003, 10:53

If the garage said it was cracked and that's why you should change it, but the belt turns out to look fine like you say it does, then this situation is #$%&*ed up and you should get your money back.

If on the other hand they said what Pete said, and that's why you should change it and you said 'ok,' then that's another story.

My $.02

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 23 Apr 2003, 04:56

Obviously this guy cant be trusted. He told you the belt was cracked and it wasnt. So he just changed it to make himself some money. I would tell him you want your money back if that was the case. Tell him you want the money back or you take him to small claims court. The belt was suppose to be changed at 70k and he changes it at 44k. thats not the way its suppose to go. The jerks need to be punished for ripping off people so get your cash back from him. This is equal to him robbing you. If you robbed him im sure hed make a big stink and want his money back. Right?. Anyway never bring you car back to that crook for repairs.!!!!!!!

Volvord · Post by **Volvord** » 23 Apr 2003, 11:43

Not saying I agree with you OR the mechanic but even the smallest crack or rounding of the cogged teeth on a timing belt are signs that failure will soon follow. The mechanic or shop foreman should have shown you where they observed damage to the belt. The recommended milage for repalceing a timing belt is an average for good maintinance, but I have seen belts run twice the normal milage, I have also seen belts fail with very little milage, dirt, contaminents (oil, fuel, anti freeze), poor adjustment can all reduce the service life.

Just remember that when a timing belt fails your are stuck and not going anywhere, most shops hear more complaints from customers asking why they were not told are scheduled in for a belt rerplacement rather than being stuck on the side of the road.