Timing Belt, Age Factor?

skates04 · **Posted:** Sat Dec 01, 2012 7:56 pm

Seems like every week some ones timing belt is breaking, slipping causing destruction to rockers. I have a 2005 CRD with "only" 70,000 miles. I have only had the CRD since this summer so I have no clue if the belt was ever changed, I doubt it was since the Jeep had 64,000 miles when I purchased it.

Should age be factor on changing the belt?

I have a car I am required to use for work so I do not drive the Liberty for commuting or work. I am guessing it could be at least 2-3 years before I get to that 100,000 mile mark. I think I drove it less than 800 miles in November.

What does everyone think?

Goglio704 · **Posted:** Sat Dec 01, 2012 8:30 pm

Gates recommends 6 years regardless of mileage. Belts are fairly cheap compared to the alternative. I made it to 109k and 7+ years with my original belt intact, but I wouldn't press my luck that far again. I think you would be justified in replacing the belt sooner rather than later.

naturist · **Posted:** Sat Dec 01, 2012 8:45 pm

Your timing belt is made of rubber and a reinforcing fiber. Rubber is known to degrade with age. Simple fact, that.

Stick your neck out if you want, it's your money either way. Cost of replacing the timing belt is, what, $600-$1400. Cost of replacing belt and rockers after the belt breaks, $3000-$4000. How lucky are you feeling?

TJ2 · **Posted:** Sat Dec 01, 2012 8:54 pm

Belts age. That said, there must be a lot of variables. Is it stored in a heated garage? All rubber components last a lot longer around here if the vehicle is kept in a protected environment.

My '05 has been on through seven years of hot summers and cold winters. It's beginning to make me a bit nervous. Aussie specs are xxxx miles or five years, whichever comes first.

I've got the parts. I want mine changed ASAP.

ATXKJ · **Posted:** Sat Dec 01, 2012 10:15 pm

also - if you're only looking at the belt - you can probably change it for under $200
the $600 up - implies that you're changing other pieces at the same time because it's easy (which it is)

but the water pump/rollers/tensioners - don't necessarily have the same age issue.

kjjet · **Posted:** Sun Dec 02, 2012 12:04 am

Agree...With low miles i would replace the belt and pulleys. just to be safe. There are lots of people here to help.

Hexus · **Posted:** Sun Dec 02, 2012 2:05 am

naturist wrote:

Your timing belt is made of rubber and a reinforcing fiber. Rubber is known to degrade with age. Simple fact, that.

Stick your neck out if you want, it's your money either way. Cost of replacing the timing belt is, what, $600-$1400. Cost of replacing belt and rockers after the belt breaks, $3000-$4000. How lucky are you feeling?

I'm doing a full timing belt change, changing all 16 rockers/lifters, and expect to spend approximately $1200. I'm changing the idlers and the tensioner, also all the stuff on the Serpentine belt, the Thermostat, water pump, etc.

How/Where the hell does that cost $3000-$4000? Dealership? It has to be a dealership, and anyone that comes here and still goes to a dealership needs to just stop coming here, because their money to sense ratio is too high.

LMWatBullRun · **Posted:** Sun Dec 02, 2012 11:39 am

my first CRD now has just over 90k; it is a 2005, so the belt is >7 yo. I parked it a month or so ago because of the rash of TB failures I was reading about, and because I was concerned that even though it was within the mileage limit stated in the SM, the belt was getting old. The PO apparently used the vehicle lightly; I expect it was driven mostly around town with some highway trips, but no evidence of ever having been used for towing.

Upon removal yesterday, I was glad that I did that, as there was notable wear on the belt, the tensioner was out of adjustment, not badly but out, and the belt had small but visible transverse cracks on the smooth side along the entire length of the belt. It is possible that I could have gotten another 10,000 miles out of it, but maybe not, too. Upon reflection, my personal PM schedule for this engine will be 5 years or 80,000 miles at most, possibly 60,000 miles, depending on driving and environmental conditions. Temperature extremes are hard on belts, especially cycling between very cold and operating temperature. Also, the tensioner bearings were worn as were the idler pulley bearings, and the water pump was worn too. None of these were to the point of being unserviceable, and I will retain the WP as a spare, but it was time for these to be changed.

Those of you reading this who are glued to the idea of 100,000 miles may wish to consider rethinking that......

papaindigo · **Posted:** Sun Dec 02, 2012 11:54 am

Will replace the TB on my 05 and stoutdog's 06 (both have ca. 50k miles) soon. For the cost of a bit of our time and 2 belts at ca. $75 each I'm not willing to risk a belt past 6-7 years. Idler and WP bearings are a different matter.

skates04 · **Posted:** Sun Dec 02, 2012 11:22 pm

Thanks for all the input, just wanted to make sure I wouldn't be wasting money!

I have already talked to SirSam a bit about having him do it. I have changed timing belts before but the Liberty seems a little more in-depth, and the need for the special tools. Its almost worth spending the money on the tools instead have having some one else do it... But I know if he does it then it will be done right.

Sir Sam · **Posted:** Mon Dec 03, 2012 1:48 am

skates04 wrote:

Thanks for all the input, just wanted to make sure I wouldn't be wasting money!

I have already talked to SirSam a bit about having him do it. I have changed timing belts before but the Liberty seems a little more in-depth, and the need for the special tools. Its almost worth spending the money on the tools instead have having some one else do it... But I know if he does it then it will be done right.

You make a good point about buying the tools, use them once yourself and then rent them out to recoup your costs, there are many people these days needing the belt done. I don't want to have my tools being shipped all over the country since I need them once a month on average, but for you it might be a good way to get them paid for.

dkenny · **Posted:** Mon Dec 03, 2012 6:47 pm

I understand the timing belt and pulleys involved.
I thinking about doing my wife's jeep again at 100k miles even though it was done at 55K miles..when I changed the CP3.
belts are cheap..it should only take 3-5 hours.. and no major work..I anti-seezed everthing last time..

what I don't get is why the rockers too?

water pump ok..I understand this..

-dkenny

LMWatBullRun · **Posted:** Mon Dec 03, 2012 7:31 pm

dkenny wrote:

I understand the timing belt and pulleys involved.
I thinking about doing my wife's jeep again at 100k miles even though it was done at 55K miles..when I changed the CP3.
belts are cheap..it should only take 3-5 hours.. and no major work..I anti-seezed everthing last time..

what I don't get is why the rockers too?

water pump ok..I understand this..

-dkenny

the short answer to your questions is "Soot, and the EPA." The longer answer is, well, LONGER.

Timing Belt, Age Factor?

Who is online