Leo090 Posted January 12, 2012 Report Posted January 12, 2012 I have a 1997 lumina with only 81,000 miles on it, i never looked at or replaced the timing belt. When is a good interval to start considering replacing the TIMING belt? Quote
55trucker Posted January 12, 2012 Report Posted January 12, 2012 If you have the DOHC GM recommends belt replacement every 60,000 miles or 100,000kms. So I'd say that you are past the point in considering a possible replacement. Quote
GOT2B GM Posted January 12, 2012 Report Posted January 12, 2012 I do believe the 96-97 belts had a longer replacement interval. They are a totally different belt, with more rounded teeth. Quote
55trucker Posted January 12, 2012 Report Posted January 12, 2012 True, the belt is mildly different in it's construction, but, the interval is still 60,000 miles. Keep in mind that the 97 DOHC is an interference engine. Scan to the bottom of this link and note the chart. http://www.aa1car.com/library/2004/us90410.htm Quote
Leo090 Posted January 13, 2012 Author Report Posted January 13, 2012 Ok I will look at that link. I thought for my 97 it was atleast 100K miles, I didnt know I was already past the interval. I just dont want to dish out cash and pry apart the engine when I dont have to. Any symptoms of dying timing belt? or do they just snap and cause engine damage? Quote
AL Posted January 13, 2012 Report Posted January 13, 2012 Theres an inspection cover you can take off and look at, If the belt looks worn (fraying, shredding, things like that) Then it needs replaced much sooner than later Quote
55trucker Posted January 13, 2012 Report Posted January 13, 2012 They don't necessarily *snap*. What happens more often than not is the teeth shear off, and you won't necessarily see this, and the portion where the teeth have sheared off enough cause problems is when that section passes under the drive sprocket on the end of the intermediate shaft. Without warning, the belt stops dead in it's tracks, the cams stop (the crank doesn't) and then (in the case of the interference engine) you now have boat load of headache you didn't bargain for. As Al stated, pull off the inspection cover on the nose end of the front cam gallery and have a look in there to see what sort of mess is laying in there. One needs to bump the engine over several times to get a look at the belt's condition all thru it's length (disconnect the harness to the Ignition Coil pack so the engine does not fire), and take what steps are necessary to preserve your engine. Quote
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