850 Timing Belt Replacement

banjoman · Post by **banjoman** » 20 Apr 2018, 11:15

No doubt this is addressed on the site, but I could not locate it, so my apologies. My 1996 850 Wagon has 240k. The timing belt was replaced 7 years ago with 32,000 miles since. Should I replace it?

Post by **matthew1** » 20 Apr 2018, 11:44

Yes. You're hitting the time limit, not the miles limit. It's 7 years/70k miles.

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Post by **misha** » 20 Apr 2018, 12:47

Time is relevant...but with only 32k on the belt i would leave it for 2-3 more years...if that is my car.

Post by **erikv11** » 20 Apr 2018, 14:41

If you do decide to replace it keep in mind that this would be an unusual timing belt service: you would only change the belt, because you were concerned the rubber is deteriorating.

A "normal" timing belt service would always replace the accompanying roller pulleys, and sometimes also the hydraulic tenisoner and water pump, etc.

Your climate (GA) is warm but doesn't see very extreme temp swings, so like misha says I might let it go another year or two if it was me. Definitely inspect the belt though, for cracks.

Post by **abscate** » 20 Apr 2018, 21:09

I would also run that 2-3 more years, but I am a risk taker.

I ran my 99 to 137k, 14 years

I’m running my New Beetle belt 15 years