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SO... I bought my super used neon 1.5 years ago w/ 128k miles. Now I'm at 145k and you know what...I have no idea if the timing belt has ever been replaced. Do you guys think my car could have gone this long without the belt ever being replaced?

as far as i know my car did not have the belt done and i got it at 92K or so...... i finally replaced the timing belt at 150K just to be safe.

you may want to get it done, just to be on the safe side.

rseldner wrote:SO... I bought my super used neon 1.5 years ago w/ 128k miles. Now I'm at 145k and you know what...I have no idea if the timing belt has ever been replaced. Do you guys think my car could have gone this long without the belt ever being replaced?

If you can...

-check with the previous owner to see if the belt was replaced and if they can provide an invoice showing the work was done. If they cannot provide the invoice then go on the assumption the work was not done... better to be safe than sorry.

While replacing the belt, consider doing the following as well:

-water pump
-timing belt
-timing belt tensioner
-cam & crank seals
-PS/AC tensioner
-upper torque strut

If you really want to go whole hog while you have the coolant out and do some proactive maintenance consider replacing:

-radiator
-metal coolant pipes under the intake manifold
-all coolant hoses
-transmission cooler lines
-thermostat and housing
-coolant refill with mix of antifreeze/distilled water

what about the oil pump????

just wondering.........

145!? I can make it that far?!

I'm at like 112

155k currently on stock belt, hopefully wont be too much longer on it though.

The belt can easily last that long in and of itself. It's the water pump seizing that usually breaks the belt. When you change the timing belt, it is IMPERITIVE that you also change the water pump. Otherwise it's a waste of time. Like Paul said, there's other stuff you can do to.


I would assume that the belt has not been changed. If it were me, I'd plan on doing the belt/pump asap....cause if it breaks, you're going to need a new head. And that sucks if you're not expecting it.

you could take off the top cover and inspect the belt - see if it an OE belt or an Aftermarket belt - see if there is any lettering still left on it - also inspect for cracks - etc....

Usually the tensioner or water pump start making noises or leaking coolant before all hell breaks loose.

Donkeypuncher wrote:Usually the tensioner or water pump start making noises or leaking coolant before all hell breaks loose.

There was evidence that my old water pump was seeping but it was not enough to show up on the coolant reservoir level.

Comparing the smoothness of rotation of the old water pump & PS/AC idler to the new parts... it was clear those parts needed replacing.

Just my opinion... but I don't think this is a job that should be delayed or skimped on. If you do and something goes wrong you will be

Paul56 wrote:

Donkeypuncher wrote:Usually the tensioner or water pump start making noises or leaking coolant before all hell breaks loose.

There was evidence that my old water pump was seeping but it was not enough to show up on the coolant reservoir level.

Comparing the smoothness of rotation of the old water pump & PS/AC idler to the new parts... it was clear those parts needed replacing.

Just my opinion... but I don't think this is a job that should be delayed or skimped on. If you do and something goes wrong you will be

And if you wait until it is making those sounds, you are just as screwed. Because it prolly will be making them while you are cruising down the highway, jammimg to your favorite tunes.

spend the $$ do the maintenece and enjoy worry free driving.

Mat00ES wrote:155k currently on stock belt, hopefully wont be too much longer on it though.

Timing belt party at my place! As soon as the weather cools down a little bit, I'll be doing mine. I'm at 112k now.