Hi all,

I have a 96 te that is due for a timing belt. Considering the massive cost, I want to hold off a bit. How long can I wait till it snaps (I will replace it before then), and if it does, will it kill my engine? I have heard that disaster strikes on the 3.5 but is it the same with the 3l?

Yep, belt breaks = major engine damage, bent valves and any damage from the belt flapping about that require the heads to come off. Any interference engine will do this - any Mitsu motor in fact. It doesn't "kill" the engine, it just produces a lot of problems that needs time and money to rectify.

How long will a belt last? Time wise, people have spoken of anything up to 10 years, distance wise anything up to 300,000 km. Then again, yours could snap next time you start your car. lol No guarantees, better do it within the next year or so. If its the original belt, its now 16 years old! It's not, I'm guessing.
HINT: The "massive cost" shrinks to insignificance if you do it yourself.

Well it is on its second belt and has done 112,000K on it. I stress about these things so of anyone knows how to do it and wants a case of beer the offer it out there...

I said "DIY", not "bribe someone else into it". lol And the job has to be worth much more than a slab of beer. lol

massive cost? K-mart did mine for $350.

I don't trust myself to do it. It's not bribery, its business :)

The second belt change at about 200,000 km is when people also change other things hidden under the cam covers - water pump, hydraulic tensioner, pulleys. So it's going to cost slightly more than a slab of beer. lol

It's at this stage that some people think it's time to move on to a better car.

a mechanic shouldnt charge you any more than 220 to 250 in labour to fit a belt kit. Always buy a timing belt KIT with new seals and tensioner saves any oil leakage on the belt which will contaminate it and snap if the belt is more than 5 years old its time to replace regardless of kms

Ok all good all good. When I asked for help to install, I meant that I would supply parts but if I can get it done cheap then I will probably do that. How much do you think it is worth to get a mechanic to supply and install a new belt with new seals and tensioners? Should I raise the offer to 3 cases? (Jk)

Had mine changed when i bought the car at 154,000 km's for around $600 by a mechanic in Altona

So in short. The belt going for 120 or more k's is not going to brutally bend my valves? Would anyone recommend replacing it straight away?

Its a lucky dip thing. 5years or 100,000kms you can be pretty sure it won't break, and then its time to get a new one. It can last a lot longer than that, but if it snaps or shears off a couple of teeth, then it is likely a head rebuild or a new engine. 2nd hand engines can be had from around a few hundred anyway, just depends how cheaply you can have one fitted if it all does go wrong.

What a dilemma. Oh well my engine has 212 on it anyway so if it dies, it might be for the best. How Much work is involved in changing the belt myself? I know I'm bring a tightarse but don't want to spend 500+ on a new belt being fittet

Just as a guide, the 3.0 kit is $147 comes with seals, belt and 2 pulleys, I dont change the pre tensioner unless it needs changing

I charge $300 labour for fitting.

This may help you when getting quotes locally

ebay 150 bucks! for the timing belt kit for 3.5