Im looking at buying a 97 850 and the guy said that all major maintenance has been done including the timing belt at 130k miles, the car now has 180k, am i looking at having to have this done again anytime soon? He claims that it doesnt need to be done for another 50k.

qstyle

 

Every 70,000, so it will be due at 200k.

 

What rspi said. there should be a sticker that shows when it was done. I couldnt get my sticker to stay on, so I wrote it on the underside of my spark plug cover and the timing belt cover with a silver sharpie. Find out if he just did the belt or if he did the belt and tensioner and pulleys as well.

 

Like Ibified said, if you don't see the mechanic's sticker, consider it due immediately.

 

It's every five years or 70K miles whichever comes first. So if it was changed before 2006 with 130K, it needs to be done now.

 

Hey Jim, where does it say 5 years? I was looking for that yesterday and could not find it, I could only find milage.

 

It should be added that this interval is good when the belt, and pulleys are dry of any oil or antifreeze. Plus the tensioner is not leaking.

This can all be inspected by just looking at it.

 

The tensioner has that white bushing on it. I don't think you can tell if it's leaking until you take it off and compress it. That kinda sucks because it's a $90 part and if you don't have it on hand you will have to go get it while the car sits apart.

 

where exactly does the bushing go?

 

On top of the tensioner. Photo step 17: http://www.atthetipwebs.com/technolo...iming_belt.htm

I'm not sure why but many people label the tensioner roller assembly the tensioner. They are actually 2 different parts.

The wierd thing is, the tensioner bushing usually comes in the timing belt box (kit). I don't get it but they highly recommend you replace the bushing for some reason. I have never seen any of them broken, cracked, etc., maybe because they are always replaced. Like they are afraid they will pop off. I don't even know what they do other than keep the tensioner plunger lined up while you install the tensioner and pull the pin so the plunger presses on the tensioner pulley (roller) assembly.

 

Also if you are going to change your timing belt, you will need to change the tensioner. At 200,000miles. You can get the kit for $164.00 i believe.

It's good to change your belt at 60,000 just to be safe.

 

I don't know if it is written in the manual, but that is what I have always heard. Rubber parts will go bad with time even if they are not used at all and maybe somebody just came up with five years. I always do mine every 70K so I really don't worry about the time. But if a 15 year old car has 60K on it, I sure would hope it has been changed.

 

I hear what ur saying. My 850 was 15 years old & never had a belt change from what I knew & my 960 was 11 years old and never had 1 either. I was really afraid to drive the 850, I had the belt replaced immediately. I drove the 960 to 60k before I was able to replace it 3 months later. I agree with a time change. I think the radiator should be on a time change as well, like 10 to 12 years.