Thread: Timing Belt Question - How to inspect?/Should I change??

Definitely change the timing belt if you dont know when it was changed...its imperative. Plenty of info in this forum on how to go about it.

Originally Posted by theNEWT

Definitely change the timing belt if you dont know when it was changed...its imperative. Plenty of info in this forum on how to go about it.

Yep, if in doubt replace it. I would get the serp belt ready too as when they go it will be in the most inconvenient place and time - like a freeway full of traffic and not easy to get off .

Being a late build D1 you may get away with just the belt and tensioners as it should have had the upgraded pulley by now, for peace of mine the the full upgrade kit STC4096L is not expensive.
Shout out if you need help or the special tools required for the job.

the difference between the amount of work to inspect it properly and to replace it is...

about 2 bolts and 2 tools or some time with a paint pen and about 30 more minutes out of your day.

just change it, I would. lots of threads cover off on how to do it, the forum is more or less 24/7 and we even have a tamed parts supplier.

you also get the opportunity to inspect a heap of other things on the way in and out such as hoses, radiators, the harmonic balancer, your pullies, the power steering pump, the water pump, the p gasket alternator bearings.

Here is a good place to start looking for information about how to proceed.

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/good-oil/4...tml#post585712

Oh and don't forget to check the fan pulley bearing. They can be replaced quite cheaply but you must have someone handy with a press to do it.

It should be on its third belt by now at 80,000 kms per belt. Just change it. Dont risk wrecking your engine.
Actually if there isn't any information just change all belts, hoses and fluids. Its cheap insurance as they are consumables.

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There is a hole in the bottom of the timing case, a wading plug may be in it, most likely not. Stick your finger in the hole and wipe the bottom of the inside of the timing case. Belt dust or fragments and oil are all signs you will have to disassemble and put in a belt kit and maybe an oil seal.

Look for yellow marker pen or paint marks around the top of the timing case. When the timing case was changed to address the early failures of the timing belts the service bulletin instructed the mechanics to make the mark. I suspect your timing case will be OK otherwise your car would have gone through about 4 or more belts. Although a failed timing belt can be addressed by changing bent push rods and broken or bent rocker arms, most would have addressed the timing cover instead of keep changing rocker arms and push rods.

I think your car should have had two timing belts by now, if that is correct you probably have another 20-40k km. If only one or none you better start disassembling. I'd change it.

Thanks for the reply guys, yeah I found some great threads over the weeks on disco 1 timing belt problems but nothing much on how inspect it, i'll have a look for the plug tomorrow and see what I can fathom.

Thanks for the advice all. I am going to change it ASAP.

It's funny, after I posted this, drove 2km's in the city and POP goes my drive belt ha! Had to wrestle the heavy none powered steering to the roadside safely, managed to get it far enough home after 1 stop to cool down (coolant did start to leak from the refill point right as I stopped!!)
Luckily parked it up around 1km from home and heading to Burson's in early morning to pick up a drive belt AND a timing belt. Because i'm backpacking and don't have many tools (or money) on me i'm going to find a mech who can perform the labour for me at a good price somewhere around Melbourne!

I'm still unsure on whether or not to get the full timing kit or just the belt, i suppose this is something I can ask the mech to inspect when he does the job - if I need the full timing pulleys/idlers replacing soon or not.

I know it's not an indication about the timing belt but the car runs so bloody well!

Once again thanks, everyone's input is most appreciated. Any other words throw em my way!

Cheers

Jamie