Replace timing belt if no repair history?
 

Just picked up a 93 Elantra 5-speed cheap. Learned that regular
replacement of timing belt is crucial to the maintenance schedule.

The vehicle has only has 114,000 kms. But..no maintenance history. I'm a
little paranoid about not knowing whether the previous owner did or didn't
replace the timing belt.

Should I just get it done? And be done with it? If it has in fact been
done is there a sticker or something that might have been affixed
somewhere in the engine compartment?

Thanks,

rib
******************************

Re: Replace timing belt if no repair history?
 

It's possible that a sticker was installed.

When these vehicles were introduced, I saw numerous failures at about 25k
miles (40k km). My advice is that if you can't tell when the timing belt
was last replaced, replace the timing belt, the balance shaft belt, and
the timing belt tensioner. And be sure to stick to the guidelines after
that -- every 4 years or 100k km at the latest. Some people even do it at
80k km just to be safe with this engine. And it WILL bend your valves.
I've seen many failures, and about two managed not to require replacement
of the valves. Many required new heads. And some required complete
engines.

Re: Replace timing belt if no repair history?
 

Take no chance, get new belt and avoid much sorrow and expense.
Seamus J. Wilson
"Bob Ashley" <ashley@chebucto.ns.ca> wrote in message
news:Pine.GSO.3.95.iB1.0.1050603134117.13101B-100000@halifax.chebucto.ns.ca.
...
> Just picked up a 93 Elantra 5-speed cheap. Learned that regular
> replacement of timing belt is crucial to the maintenance schedule.
>
> The vehicle has only has 114,000 kms. But..no maintenance history. I'm a
> little paranoid about not knowing whether the previous owner did or didn't
> replace the timing belt.
>
> Should I just get it done? And be done with it? If it has in fact been
> done is there a sticker or something that might have been affixed
> somewhere in the engine compartment?
>
> Thanks,
>
> rib
> ******************************
>

Re: Replace timing belt if no repair history?
 

I'm going to follow up on this advice and just 'git 'er done' as Larry the
cable guy would say.

I'm curious, though, if you've got an opinion on the root of what looks
like a design issue. Is it possible that engineers had more clout than
marketers? I suggest this possibility under the assumption that engineers
might have prioritized design and performance over owner commitment to
maintenance...and won out?

In short, is the timing belt design just fine if it's replacement interval
is not neglected? Or is the design inherently flawed from the get-go?

***
rib



On Fri, 3 Jun 2005, hyundaitech wrote:

> It's possible that a sticker was installed.
>
> When these vehicles were introduced, I saw numerous failures at about 25k
> miles (40k km). My advice is that if you can't tell when the timing belt
> was last replaced, replace the timing belt, the balance shaft belt, and
> the timing belt tensioner. And be sure to stick to the guidelines after
> that -- every 4 years or 100k km at the latest. Some people even do it at
> 80k km just to be safe with this engine. And it WILL bend your valves.
> I've seen many failures, and about two managed not to require replacement
> of the valves. Many required new heads. And some required complete
> engines.
>
>
>


Bob
Ashley
******************************

Re: Replace timing belt if no repair history?
 

So it is written, so it shall be done.

Thanks, beefing up support for this prescription.

***
rib

On Fri, 3 Jun 2005, sligo wrote:

> Take no chance, get new belt and avoid much sorrow and expense.
> Seamus J. Wilson
> "Bob Ashley" <ashley@chebucto.ns.ca> wrote in message
> news:Pine.GSO.3.95.iB1.0.1050603134117.13101B-100000@halifax.chebucto.ns.ca.
> ..
> > Just picked up a 93 Elantra 5-speed cheap. Learned that regular
> > replacement of timing belt is crucial to the maintenance schedule.
> >
> > The vehicle has only has 114,000 kms. But..no maintenance history. I'm a
> > little paranoid about not knowing whether the previous owner did or didn't
> > replace the timing belt.
> >
> > Should I just get it done? And be done with it? If it has in fact been
> > done is there a sticker or something that might have been affixed
> > somewhere in the engine compartment?
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > rib
> > ******************************
> >
>
>
>
>


Bob
Ashley
******************************

Re: Replace timing belt if no repair history?
 

My personal opinion is that there's an inherent design flaw. (Actually,
this is a Mitsubishi - designed engine. They had the same problems with
very premature failure. They even had a recall.) If you look at the
timing belt on the camshaft sprockets, you'll see that the timing belt
only wraps about 1/4 of the way around each sprocket, thus distributing
the entire load of turning the camshafts over a small number of timing
belt teeth. How the belt fails is that the points where the teeth attach
to the backing begin to crack and the teeth strip off the belt.

To my knowledge, Hyundai (and Mitsubishi) have done their best with
revising the timing belt construction to minimize this issue, but failures
are still significantly more frequent than the engines which only have one
camshaft sprocket.

Re: Replace timing belt if no repair history?
 

My personal opinion is that there's an inherent design flaw. (Actually,
this is a Mitsubishi - designed engine. They had the same problems with
very premature failure. They even had a recall.) If you look at the
timing belt on the camshaft sprockets, you'll see that the timing belt
only wraps about 1/4 of the way around each sprocket, thus distributing
the entire load of turning the camshafts over a small number of timing
belt teeth. How the belt fails is that the points where the teeth attach
to the backing begin to crack and the teeth strip off the belt.

To my knowledge, Hyundai (and Mitsubishi) have done their best with
revising the timing belt construction to minimize this issue, but failures
are still significantly more frequent than the engines which only have one
camshaft sprocket.

Re: Replace timing belt if no repair history?
 

On Sat, 4 Jun 2005, hyundaitech wrote:

> My personal opinion is that there's an inherent design flaw. (Actually,
> this is a Mitsubishi - designed engine. They had the same problems with
> very premature failure. They even had a recall.) If you look at the
> timing belt on the camshaft sprockets, you'll see that the timing belt
> only wraps about 1/4 of the way around each sprocket, thus distributing
> the entire load of turning the camshafts over a small number of timing
> belt teeth. How the belt fails is that the points where the teeth attach
> to the backing begin to crack and the teeth strip off the belt.
>
> To my knowledge, Hyundai (and Mitsubishi) have done their best with
> revising the timing belt construction to minimize this issue, but failures
> are still significantly more frequent than the engines which only have one
> camshaft sprocket.

Okay, so now I'm a wee bit jumpy about this vulnerability. Besides,
sticking to the replacement interval guidelines, can certain driving
habits help to minimize this vulnerability? I'm thinking about gear
shifting and clutching or possibly braking actions or cold starting on the
part of the driver. Would aggressive downshifting put strain on the timing
belt for instance?

Can or should the timing belt be "babied" on a day-to-day basis? I'm
already pretty conservative.

Thanks for any tips.

***
rib

******************************

Re: Replace timing belt if no repair history?
 

I just bought a 2005 Elantra, are the timing belts any better on the newer
models???


thanks,
Chris.


"hyundaitech" <notpublic@not.public.com> wrote in message
news:de52c386021af3c5307fbe0ca6cbe6df@localhost.ta lkaboutautos.com...
> My personal opinion is that there's an inherent design flaw. (Actually,
> this is a Mitsubishi - designed engine. They had the same problems with
> very premature failure. They even had a recall.) If you look at the
> timing belt on the camshaft sprockets, you'll see that the timing belt
> only wraps about 1/4 of the way around each sprocket, thus distributing
> the entire load of turning the camshafts over a small number of timing
> belt teeth. How the belt fails is that the points where the teeth attach
> to the backing begin to crack and the teeth strip off the belt.
>
> To my knowledge, Hyundai (and Mitsubishi) have done their best with
> revising the timing belt construction to minimize this issue, but failures
> are still significantly more frequent than the engines which only have one
> camshaft sprocket.
>

Re: Replace timing belt if no repair history?
 

Well crap, my 1998 Elantra has over 60K miles and havnt replaced the timing
belts... I guess i need to get that done. Whats the normal average proce
for it? The engine is the 1.8 DOHC i believe..

Shawn

"Bob Ashley" <ashley@chebucto.ns.ca> wrote in message
news:Pine.GSO.3.95.iB1.0.1050603134117.13101B-100000@halifax.chebucto.ns.ca...
> Just picked up a 93 Elantra 5-speed cheap. Learned that regular
> replacement of timing belt is crucial to the maintenance schedule.
>
> The vehicle has only has 114,000 kms. But..no maintenance history. I'm a
> little paranoid about not knowing whether the previous owner did or didn't
> replace the timing belt.
>
> Should I just get it done? And be done with it? If it has in fact been
> done is there a sticker or something that might have been affixed
> somewhere in the engine compartment?
>
> Thanks,
>
> rib
> ******************************
>

Re: Replace timing belt if no repair history?
 

Dumb thing to ask

Did HMC used Goodyear for OEM Belts, all my Belts say Goodyear..

Matthew

"Bob Ashley" <ashley@chebucto.ns.ca> wrote in message
news:Pine.GSO.3.95.iB1.0.1050603134117.13101B-100000@halifax.chebucto.ns.ca...
> Just picked up a 93 Elantra 5-speed cheap. Learned that regular
> replacement of timing belt is crucial to the maintenance schedule.
>
> The vehicle has only has 114,000 kms. But..no maintenance history. I'm a
> little paranoid about not knowing whether the previous owner did or didn't
> replace the timing belt.
>
> Should I just get it done? And be done with it? If it has in fact been
> done is there a sticker or something that might have been affixed
> somewhere in the engine compartment?
>
> Thanks,
>
> rib
> ******************************
>

Re: Replace timing belt if no repair history?
 

Stress on the belt is probably a complicated issue, so I'm not sure how
different rpm's or acceleration rates would affect the stress.

Re: Replace timing belt if no repair history?
 

Your 05 Elantra has only one camshaft sprocket. The second cam is driven
by a chain running around both cams. I've never seen a premature timing
belt failure on any 1996 or newer Elantra (all of which have similar
engine and belt design).

Re: Replace timing belt if no repair history?
 

It's a great idea to replace your belt, Shawn, but you shouldn't have the
fear of imminent failure referred to for the original poster. Your engine
and belt are of a different design that I've never seen fail prematurely.
Still, the recommended interval is 4 years/60k miles, whichever comes
first.

Re: Replace timing belt if no repair history?
 

I don't think they used anything GoodYear, with the possible exception of
the timing belt. GoodYear does make high quality belts, in my opinion.