[MissTwisties]

Have a question.....I have a Hyundai Elantra. It has 125 000 miles on it. It says the timing belt need to be change at 60 000 miles. It was changed at that time. The second time it "should have" been change was at 120 000 miles. So I'm 5 000 over. My question is...how important is it to change it close to the number of miles it is supposed to be changed? I'm asking because I am going to Montreal on Sunday, I'm thinking I'm gonna put over 700 miles on the car, and I wonder if I should have the timing belt changed BEFORE I go up there. Is it really "time sensitive" to change it when it is recommended? I could spare the money right now, I don't have much, but I know I wouldn't be a happy camper if the belt give up and the motor is fried....

[reiobard]

changeing the timing belt is not a huge deal for the engine, they recommend it at 6,000 mile intervals because that is the longest time the belt is expected to be at full strength. changing them at the recommended intervals is always a good idea but not critical. it all depends on the environmental conditions, driving style, ect that will determine how quickly they deteriorate. you should be alright for the trip but should consider changing it within a few months. just my thoughts on the matter

[MissTwisties]

I think I'm gonna have it changed today.... $350 for the belt and tensioner. I might have the spark plugs changed too... why is everything so expensive?

[McBiggity]

labor is what kills ya!
the parts themselves are fairly cheap. but when you pay a shop $70/hour the price adds up real quick.

[slaps76]

Smart to get it done now.

Thing is, if it snaps, you can destroy your engine, it'll throw the valves out of alignment.

$350 isn't THAT bad for that job. Better than being stranded on the road with junked car.

[OreoGitorio]

broken timing belt = ruined engine (usually)

However, I'm sure it'd make the trip w/o any problem.... but it's better to be on the safe side.

[bump909]

look at the belt to see if it's got any cracks. like slaps said, $350 ain't bad at all for parts and labor. usually those things are a pita to replace by yourself.. at least in my experience.

[Degsy]

Broken timing belt won't usually ruin a 4 cyl motor.

If you have the timing belt changed, change the water pump at the same time, saves on labor for the water pump and it's good to change the water pump every 60k also.

derek

[slaps76]

Definitely...make sure they do the water pump as well. It's usually pretty standard they do both at the same time.

I had a friend who's timing belt snapped on his 4-cylinder Toyota Camry, and it ruined the engine, so guess it can happen. It may depend on the make, some engines are designed so when the belt snaps the engine is left ok.

[Degsy]

Hmm, wierd. 4 Cyl camrys (97 vintage for sure) are a non-interference motor. shouldn't damage the motor if the belt snaps.

hafta check on that one.

derek

[MissTwisties]

I found a much cheaper place. $282 they will change the belt, the tensioner, and at that pricae, I will follow your advice and ask for the water pump to be changed. Maybe spark plugs too?

Weird thing is...when the weather was cold, the car would often choke and sometimes turn off completly. This summer, it didn't do it. Now that the colder night came back, it started to do it again...when I slow down...the car feels like it's gonna choke. Since I'm no mechanic, I have no clue what it is...

[slaps76]

His Camry was either a 93 or 94. Maybe the mechanic just told him it was junked? He ended up selling it to the mechanic so the guy could fix it and sell it.

[ZX-12R]

Originally posted by MissTwisties
I found a much cheaper place. $282 they will change the belt, the tensioner, and at that pricae, I will follow your advice and ask for the water pump to be changed. Maybe spark plugs too?

Weird thing is...when the weather was cold, the car would often choke and sometimes turn off completly. This summer, it didn't do it. Now that the colder night came back, it started to do it again...when I slow down...the car feels like it's gonna choke. Since I'm no mechanic, I have no clue what it is...

For $282, have it done as that is a fantastic price. I'm well overdue on mine but the belt is in excellent shape.

[bump909]

Originally posted by Degsy
Broken timing belt won't usually ruin a 4 cyl motor.

If you have the timing belt changed, change the water pump at the same time, saves on labor for the water pump and it's good to change the water pump every 60k also.

derek

true, save for a few bent valves.

[LuvDog]

For that price.... it's a no brainer. Get it done.

Be glad you don't drive an Audi A4... the belts are almost notorius for failing around 60K miles. A belt failure results in VERY BAD things to the engine... VERY BAD things.
The cost to replace the belt is crazy too because much of the front end has to be removed to do it... usually a minimum of $600 and up to $900+.

[MissTwisties]

wowe...that's not cheap! Must cost a FORTUNE when something major brake in the car...

Originally posted by LuvDog
For that price.... it's a no brainer. Get it done.

Be glad you don't drive an Audi A4... the belts are almost notorius for failing around 60K miles. A belt failure results in VERY BAD things to the engine... VERY BAD things.
The cost to replace the belt is crazy too because much of the front end has to be removed to do it... usually a minimum of $600 and up to $900+.

[cbrf41999]

I am not sure, but thinking a Hyundai is a non inteference engine, thats why it is probably so cheap. Even if it breaks it is still the same price... Not like my Accord, needs to be done or the engine is toast, so they rape us...

[Degsy]

Originally posted by bump909
true, save for a few bent valves.

Yep, it seems that that elantra has an interference motor. if you are driving along and the timing belt breaks, you're looking at a big bill for new valves at least.

derek

[MissTwisties]

The last two posts are quiet contradictory....lol

[highsider]

The size and compression of the motor have nothing to do with whether or not it will bend valves when the timing belt. Its either an interference motor, or not.

That said, *most* Asian cars turn their motors into boat anchors if you dont change the timing belt pretty close to the intervals. Personally, I'd change it yesterday, especially since its relatively inexpensive. My wife's stuipid Passat is in the neighborhood of $450 just for the timing belt wand water pump.

[Honclfibr]

Originally posted by highsider
That said, *most* Asian cars turn their motors into boat anchors if you dont change the timing belt pretty close to the intervals.

Though there are those of us with Asian cars who are looking forward to the appreciation in value that will come from having our motors turned into boat anchors. Boat anchors are worth more than Mitsubishis.

I would not suggest this in your case though, as anyone who has owned an old Hyundai (most notably an Excel) can tell you, they would make a lousy boat anchor as they are quite water soluble.

[ssg]

282$??? That seems suspiciously low....is the thing external or just super easy to work on?

All my Honda's have been ~175$ in parts (belt, tensioner, pump/gaskets/etc.) and I could do em in about 4-5 hours on a good day. My ex had a Hyundai and there wasn't anything revolutionary looking under the hood that indicated massive time savings?

[MissTwisties]

Here's the breakdown of the price he got out of their computer:

Parts: 92.27
Labor: 186.00
Sub total : 278.27
Parts tax: 4.61
Total: 282.88

This is only for the timing belt and tensioner. It's gonna cost a little bit more than that if I have the water pump changed and spark plugs changed.

[cbrf41999]

Originally posted by MissTwisties
Here's the breakdown of the price he got out of their computer:

Parts: 92.27
Labor: 186.00
Sub total : 278.27
Parts tax: 4.61
Total: 282.88

This is only for the timing belt and tensioner. It's gonna cost a little bit more than that if I have the water pump changed and spark plugs changed.

Worth doing the pump, I am thinking if like my accord, it will be costing you 186 in labor to have a $20 pump put on later.
And I still dont think a Hyundai is a interference but for the peace of mind of 300 esp when going on a trip just do it.

[MissTwisties]

Car is in the garage as we speak...it's gonna cost me $380 to have the timing belt, idler pulley, water pump and spark plugs changed. I know it's a good price, but damn...it's gonna knock me off in the wallet for a while (have to put that on my brand new credit card that I didn't want to use) Oh well, guess it's better than having the motor become a pile of shit.