Hi, my 1998 Magna sedan has only done 42,000kms. Being that it's now 15 years old, should I change the timing belt, even though the normal time to replace is every 100,000kms. If I do change it, do I need to replace the tensioner, etc, or would changing just the belt be OK (again, based on the low km's travelled so far).

Thanks,

John

timing belts only have a average life span of 5 years, regardless if its done 40 000ks. so rule of thumb, timing belt change every 5 years, or 80-100 000ks. as for tensioner, some will say replace it as soon as it makes a sound in the cold starts area, or replace it with the belt.

Yes change the belt! I think a broken belt results in catastrophic damage to the engine, and they're only made to last reliably for up to 5 years as stated above. Tensioner? If you can afford it i'd say yes, but i wouldnt worry about it if money is really tight. If tensioner fails then i think the risk of engine damage is far lower. Its all about the risk. Cars have to be maintained and serviced or else they break and cost more money to fix than the service costs would have been in the first place.
1998? Wow, talk about lucky so far...

Get a timing belt kit without water pump. Do the whole thing. Worry free motoring for 5 more years.

You wanna know something scary im running the same timing belt from new,the car had its last 75k service at Mitsubishi from the other owner i ask them if the timing belt was done they said no
check the log book and don't see a timing belt replaced. car has 148......ks now but im gonna get it done very soon :)

Is the timing belt change logged into the handbook if done at Mitsubishi or is it just part of the 100,000km service?

I don't have a log of it, but the car has full maintenance logbook and I took the timing belt covers off to check and the timing belt seems in great condition

Just do it anyway. Ive seen cars with the same belt for 15 years with lots of driving and they still looked fine. Doesnt mean they wont fly apart tomorrow.

Is the timing belt change logged into the handbook if done at Mitsubishi or is it just part of the 100,000km service?

I don't have a log of it, but the car has full maintenance logbook and I took the timing belt covers off to check and the timing belt seems in great condition

It's not part of the scheduled 100K Km service, that is, you have to ask for it. It will be clearly stamped or written in the log book, as well as your bank account.

Looking at the belt tells you nothing. It's either in one piece or it isn't. 15 years is pushing it a bit, I think, but it just shows the margin of safety in these things. (On the Mitsus anyway, owners of other makes don't fare as well.)

The factory recommendation is 5 years or 100,000 km, whichever occurs first. Some people read this and go for the number that suits them best, other people read that and think "Whatever. I will replace it when it breaks." Your choice. I'd replace the belt but check the idlers , water pump and hydraulic tensioner.

I've replaced a cam belt on a 2004 Lancer with 28,000 km on it, just for peace of mind. Also have done a 2001 Magna at 111,000 km and a 2004 Magna at 136,000 km. Another 2004 Lancer with 138,000 . All way overdue time wise at least, but they all looked in good condition. I just cut them a cross (easy to do) and let the dogs play tug of war with them. Then they go in the recycle bin.

Can a cambelt change on a 3rd gen be a DIY job?

I am the third owner of the car. The first owner had it at 100,000km and the second owner of which I bought the car from said the first owner said he'd done it but as I mentioned I have found no log of it in the handbook

Can a cambelt change on a 3rd gen be a DIY job?

I am the third owner of the car. The first owner had it at 100,000km and the second owner of which I bought the car from said the first owner said he'd done it but as I mentioned I have found no log of it in the handbook

Yes it can, just ask Max, but you have to be relatively handy with the spanners, take it slow & careful the first time, read up on and follow the workshop manual instructions, use the right tools & equipment (one or two special tools needed) and so on.

Not a job for the impatient or the faint hearted.

If in any doubt, get it done by a qualified mechanic or a stealership.

It's the one thing so far on my 380 that I'm not game to tackle.

If it requires special tools then maybe best left for someone else to do.
What should I expect a garage to charge labor wise if I supply the belt, seals, tensioner and water pump?

Yes it can, just ask Max

Don't ask me! I'm not going to be morally and legally responsible for getting someone in over their head on mechanical stuff!

Just ask Mal. Actually, lots of YouTube videos on this topic. Look at them before you commit to anything.

PS I've done two without disasters. Your mileage may vary. lol

@OP (John) I had the "belt only" changed at low kms...problem with me was the tensioner started making noises after 10K of the belt change. had it done all again this time with the complete belt kit, plus tensioner, plus other belts.

Conclusion: Regardless of low mileage, do what you can within your budget.

If you can find someone reliable who can do the job at a good price then go with this option.

Save urself all the drama, these are hard to align for experienced mechanics. Take it to a Mitsubishi Specialist. There are so many things that can go wrong and other flow on things that need to be checked. If in doubt have a read of this thread: http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/showthread.php?t=101238

I haven't finished updating it yet but I think u will get the idea. $4,000 + so far and I doubt my car will ever be the same again. I can tell you all the things to also look at doing but if I were you I would save myself the heartache and get it done by Mitsubishi. Skrimping on a timing belt or platinum plug service IS NOT WORTH IT! If the belt is mis-aligned u can do serious enging damage (to the valves). PLUS heaps of other stuff! Don't do it, get this one done by the Mitsubishi Specialist.

Thanks Pombonted for the suggestion.
I will pay a specialist

Any mechanic can do a dam timing belt. Its their reaponsibility if they stuff it up and thats the bottom line.

Don't ask me! I'm not going to be morally and legally responsible for getting someone in over their head on mechanical stuff!

Just ask Mal. Actually, lots of YouTube videos on this topic. Look at them before you commit to anything.

PS I've done two without disasters. Your mileage may vary. lol

Max, you misinterpreted what I said.

Can it be done? Yes, just ask Max and he'll tell you it can be done (coz he's done it himself two or three times).

Not "just ask Max to tell you / show you / help you how to do it".

Max, you misinterpreted what I said.

Can it be done? Yes, just ask Max and he'll tell you it can be done (coz he's done it himself two or three times).

Not "just ask Max to tell you / show you / help you how to do it".

Fair enough. I used to be crash hot on encouraging people to DIY to save them money and get some self-pride going, but I've gone off that. Now all I can say, is RTFM. That's how I worked it out, anyway.

now all i can say, is rtfm.

+1. Lol!

Fair enough. I used to be crash hot on encouraging people to DIY to save them money and get some self-pride going, but I've gone off that. Now all I can say, is RTFM. That's how I worked it out, anyway.

Exactly !