timing belt or chain?

[gryfan]

1994 cutlass vert....3.4......does it have a timing belt or a chain? it has 55,000 miles on it. should it be replaced based on time (age) or should the factor be mileage?

thanks in advance....

gryfan

1994 cutlass 'vert

1990 buick reatta coupe

2005 chrysler crossfire roadster

2007 sonata....winter beater

 

gryfan

burlington, ontario

[White93z34]

it has both.

 

Chain is a lifetime part, belt should be replaced every 60,000 miles. most people I know have run them way longer then that though.

[94 olds vert]

Belt.

 

I think the recommended change is 60,000 miles, but that is from the factory.

 

There is a way to inspect it. I would do that so you know what it looks like. There is a black cover on the left side of the engine that has two 8mm bolts on. Take those off and the cover comes off and there is your timing belt. I would look for any fraying or missing pieces along the edges.

[gryfan]

it has both.

 

Chain is a lifetime part, belt should be replaced every 60,000 miles. most people I know have run them way longer then that though.

 

 

white93z34,

first off thanks for the info....and man you are fast in you response.

cheers,

gryfan

[gryfan]

Belt.

 

I think the recommended change is 60,000 miles, but that is from the factory.

 

There is a way to inspect it. I would do that so you know what it looks like. There is a black cover on the left side of the engine that has two 8mm bolts on. Take those off and the cover comes off and there is your timing belt. I would look for any fraying or missing pieces along the edges.

 

thanks for the great info.......really appreciate it.

cheers,

gryfan

[GOT2B GM]

My old 91 International had almost 110,000 kms on it IIRC when I sold it to Jamie, it has the original timing belt which still looks great at 20 yrs old (although you have to wonder what age and heat does to rubber)

 

A good practice is to inspect the belt at every oil change. The carcass of the belt will usually start becoming narrower than the teeth (the teeth will appear to stick out wider than the carcass of the belt), indicating the belt is beginning to fail.

 

Also, when you have the cover off inspecting the belt, fire the car up and watch the belt go around, making sure the belt is in good shape all the way around. You'll notice a fine rubber dust on the inside of the cover, I always wipe it out, and watch for increased accumulation or rubber dust showing accelerated wear next time you look at it.

Edited April 4, 2011 by GOT2B GM

[gryfan]

My old 91 International had almost 110,000 kms on it IIRC when I sold it to Jamie, it has the original timing belt which still looks great at 20 yrs old (although you have to wonder what age and heat does to rubber)

 

A good practice is to inspect the belt at every oil change. The carcass of the belt will usually start becoming narrower than the teeth (the teeth will appear to stick out wider than the carcass of the belt), indicating the belt is beginning to fail.

 

Also, when you have the cover off inspecting the belt, fire the car up and watch the belt go around, making sure the belt is in good shape all the way around. You'll notice a fine rubber dust on the inside of the cover, I always wipe it out, and watch for increased accumulation or rubber dust showed accelerated wear next time you look at it.

 

thanks matt....great detail in that answer.

cheers,

gryfan

[White93z34]

The oem belt in my old euro didn't let go till 143,000 miles, and even then it wa a idler that failed not the belt, my old z I ran for 80,000mi on the belt that was on the car when I got it didn't let go till the tensioner acutator failed.