Had my timing belt changed, it was 10 years old at 102000 miles.

In the first picture, that's how the belt did look for most of it. Note that I'm bending it, so basically when it was on the engine, I couldn't see any wear at all on the belt.

The second picture is what I discovered when turning the engine and checking the belt thoroughly over all it's length. It's the single crack that this belt had. Just another reason why 10 years or 100000 miles is perhaps too much to wait for a new timing belt.

On a side note, the spring in the original tensioner was weak.

 

Yes, 10 years is long enough.

 

u got yer moneys worth out of it...

 

I'm in the process of replacing the original timing belt on my 2002 with 94,000 miles. It looks to be in very good condition. I'm also replacing the tensioner, idler, and water pump. The original serpentine belt looks as good as the new one. Not sure of the replacement frequency but thought now would be a good time. .

It's taking longer than expected. The 10mm bolts were stuck and I'm struggling to remove them. Three out and the nut off without now. The head on the last one is rounded so I'm soaking in penetrating oil, heating, and pounding for a couple of days. I have a socket that is suppose to grip the rounded head and remove it when I think it has soaked enough.

Rush

 

That belt is good compared to a lot of the belts I've seen on these cars haha. I've seen some that look like they are about to break and I recommend to replace them and customers take the car because they have low milesmiles

 

That's right, I think the original owner drove the car very slowly for the first 8 years, which explains the lack of wear. But after 10 years the rubber gets so stiff it started cracking.

Possibly the cars of the customers you had were driving harder their cars so the belts did wear faster, hope they didn't come back for an engine job later on!