Pre-emptive Timing Belt Swap-out?
05-10-2019, 08:09 PM
#1
Pre-emptive Timing Belt Swap-out?
Finally, I'm starting actually ENJOY my truck. However, this one thing has been on my mind. The prev. owner obviously put in a rebuilt motor. Obvious because of the rake of scratches in the engine bay the 'new' motor made, the stupid lengths of many of the hoses (careless measuring), and the fact that the motor runs dare I say, "extremely well!" (it's a 4.2, btw). Since the prev. owner essentially lied about everything, I have no real bead on WHEN he changed the timing chain.
If you were in this position of not know anything, when would you pull the trigger and get it done, or would you just drive this high mileage fresh sounding truck out until there was some kind of an issue?
If you were in this position of not know anything, when would you pull the trigger and get it done, or would you just drive this high mileage fresh sounding truck out until there was some kind of an issue?
Last edited by Streetwiseguitar; 05-10-2019 at 08:14 PM.
05-10-2019, 08:18 PM
#2
I'd just drive it. I was taught a very long time ago "If it ain't broke, don't fix it"
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05-10-2019, 09:02 PM
#3
Senior Member
If you like slamming your fingers in a door go ahead and change it. Otherwise keep driving it until you get symptoms warranting the replacement of the timing chain.
You'll getting signs it needs to be changed believe you me... until then if it's running good then everything is working and you shouldn't mess with it.
Just my $0.02 from a stranger on the internet
You'll getting signs it needs to be changed believe you me... until then if it's running good then everything is working and you shouldn't mess with it.
Just my $0.02 from a stranger on the internet
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akdoggie (05-11-2019)
05-10-2019, 10:06 PM
#4
05-10-2019, 10:56 PM
#5
Senior Member
Chains and belts are different. Belts die catastrophically, chains die a slow death.
05-11-2019, 08:04 AM
#6
You dont change out timing chains. They should last life of vehicle.
Timing guide life on other hand..is plastic and wears. Proper oil and filter and frequent changes is critical to its life. The tensioner needs oil pressure immediately on startup or it slaps ,wears, breaks guides eventually.
Did owner actually lie about anything,.......or did you not ask,....big difference
Timing guide life on other hand..is plastic and wears. Proper oil and filter and frequent changes is critical to its life. The tensioner needs oil pressure immediately on startup or it slaps ,wears, breaks guides eventually.
Did owner actually lie about anything,.......or did you not ask,....big difference
Last edited by mbb; 05-11-2019 at 10:28 AM.
05-11-2019, 02:39 PM
#7
Owner told me the following - and this is his blurb "160k miles, clean title! I did a review with my mechanic recently and I made an investment of $ 1800 on the truck! change brakes, spark plug wires, spark plugs, shock absorbers, timing belt, clutch kit and all synthetic fluids."
-------
1.160k - Lie. More like 230k! It's just that the Odom. light was broken and he was counting on it to stay off, but flickered on when I took delivery of the truck. I was in such need of a working vehicle that I took his word for the mileage.
2. "Fresh fluids." Lie. Oil was old AF and figured everything else was if that was as such.
3. Brakes: Lie. The were worn to nearly nothing.
4. Shocks Lie. Looked like they were the originals.
5. Clean title: Half truth. 100% The truck was involved in a front end collision that caused sig. damage. The owner though. didn't report it.
**There was much more wrong with the truck which I won't bother with**
My guess is that his relation got him a truck in rough shape. The yanked the motor and got some of the parts of the interior from salvage. I think the truth is that he spent $1800 on a rebuilt motor and that's it. He's new to the US and I figure his relations set him up with a truck so he could do enough landscaping to earn money for a car (a used GTI which I saw) to do Uber. He didn't give a f*c*k* about the truck.
I can't actually vouch for the other stuff (plugs wires which are wayyy too long, clutch kit, etc) but judging by the performance of the clutch, there is no effen way that's new (and the main seal leaks, too). Next on the list btw w/a new clutch). When I texted the PO about the mileage, he said "sorry." When I asked him about the new motor etc. No response.
I drew the obvious conclusion that as cordial as he was, he was as much a total scumbag who was willing to lie enough to sell, as I was impetuous and naive for buying a truck in that condition - on a rainy day no less (I know I know, smh. I know NOW, that is!). In fairness to myself, I did bring it to a garage for a pre-purchase inspection, but it was the "perfect storm." I actually got the thumbs-up the them!??! Needless to say, I went BACK and demanded my money back and slammed them on Yelp. Hopefully, I'll have at least helped one person thinking of bringing a vehicle in there for the same.
It's been a pricey education to say the least, But since when has education been cheap? All the contributors to my many queries on this forum have been invaluable and I am so grateful.
Last edited by Streetwiseguitar; 05-11-2019 at 03:53 PM.
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05-11-2019, 10:12 PM
#8
Well if he told you he changed timing belt , that would be cause for concern.
To me, clean title means no liens. It could be a salvage title, which you should notice at point of sale.
Bad thing about vehicles in collisions....it can come cost $4000 or more to replace things that are supposed to be to meet standards. .airbags , clock spring, and seatbelt. Before touching body damage. Big $$$ reason why vehicles are totalled. You might suspect no working airbag.
Odometer readings are put on title when its transferred, in my state. If it was incorrect its fraud. Yeah, you was impetuous.
To me, clean title means no liens. It could be a salvage title, which you should notice at point of sale.
Bad thing about vehicles in collisions....it can come cost $4000 or more to replace things that are supposed to be to meet standards. .airbags , clock spring, and seatbelt. Before touching body damage. Big $$$ reason why vehicles are totalled. You might suspect no working airbag.
Odometer readings are put on title when its transferred, in my state. If it was incorrect its fraud. Yeah, you was impetuous.
Last edited by mbb; 05-11-2019 at 10:18 PM.
05-12-2019, 02:38 AM
#9
Well if he told you he changed timing belt , that would be cause for concern.
I don't believe he did anything of the sort.
To me, clean title means no liens. It could be a salvage title, which you should notice at point of sale.
For certain it's not a salvage title.
Bad thing about vehicles in collisions....it can come cost $4000 or more to replace things that are supposed to be to meet standards. .airbags , clock spring, and seatbelt. Before touching body damage. Big $$$ reason why vehicles are totalled. You might suspect no working airbag.
I can see where the collision was. It was a front end hit. It was enough to twist the power steering cooler but nothing too bad.
Odometer readings are put on title when its transferred, in my state. If it was incorrect its fraud. Yeah, you was impetuous.
I don't believe he did anything of the sort.
To me, clean title means no liens. It could be a salvage title, which you should notice at point of sale.
For certain it's not a salvage title.
Bad thing about vehicles in collisions....it can come cost $4000 or more to replace things that are supposed to be to meet standards. .airbags , clock spring, and seatbelt. Before touching body damage. Big $$$ reason why vehicles are totalled. You might suspect no working airbag.
I can see where the collision was. It was a front end hit. It was enough to twist the power steering cooler but nothing too bad.
Odometer readings are put on title when its transferred, in my state. If it was incorrect its fraud. Yeah, you was impetuous.
**sorry **botched that quoting up. Read from top.
Last edited by Streetwiseguitar; 05-12-2019 at 02:40 AM.