Timing Belt time

[selsij]

100,000 Km and that dreaded time to pay out money and change the timing belt.
Asked for a quote from the local Mitsu dealer and got a mumble that it was $1100 plus for the timing belt.
So asked; Plus what?
No answer.
Then a phone call to say it was time to have the timing belt changed and the 105,000 service.
Requested a quote.
No reply.
Phoned 3 days later and asked again.
No reply.
So went to the mechanic next door and he said no problems. I do lots of Tritons and some Challengers.
Booked in and done yesterday.
Cost.....
$550 for Timing belt, Balance shaft belt, Fan belt and Power steering belt.
Half the price of the dealer.

Also comment that the intake was badly clogged and they would de-clog it if they do the service.

So, Bye Bye Mitsubishi dealer .............

[BanjoPato]

Think I may go the same way. This is what I found recently after a dealer service


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[littleriver]

Think I may go the same way. This is what I found recently after a dealer service


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At least you know they did the tappets

..

[amec]

Not necessarily, a synic such as myself would say the lazy mech loosened one bolt to make it look like it was removed.

[Kingbrown]

Timing belt time for me (groan) and looking through the manual I happened to see reference to 'On-Vehicle Service' for the Balancer Belt.
What's that all about I wondered . . . ?

The procedure entails removal of the top timing cover to align camshaft timing marks and then removal of two small access covers from the lower timing cover.
This then gives access to the mounting and adjuster bolts for the balance belt tensioner.

Loosening of the adjuster bolts then allows the tensioner to self-adjust. Or so it says.

Reverse the procedure to reinstate everything to normal (taking care to tighten the tensioner's slot-side bolt first and then the pivot bolt).

Is anyone aware of this ever being done between belt changes on their Challenger or Triton ?

Isn't the tensioner spring sufficient to retain the correct tension on the balancer belt between belt changes ?
Edit: It appears that the tensioner is locked in position from the time that the balance belt is installed. The tensioner spring only applies the initial tension to the belt. If the belt wears or stretches, the belt may become loose.

http://faq.out-club.ru/download/pajero_sport_2008/maintenance/Service_Manual_2009_2011/2011/index_M1.htm

Additional info 19/10/2019:
I'm informed that the engine must be at TDC during adjustment, so the top timing cover comes off to line up the timing marks.
I looked at the access plugs and they are thin metal with integral spring clips that hold them in the lower timing cover (just below and to the side of the fan pulley). It's easy to prise out the plugs with your fingernail.
The job would be easier if the radiator fan was removed, but not essential. Serpentine belt and aircon belt can remain in place.
The tensioner bolt heads sit about 85mm behind the timing cover so a short extension and a 1/4 drive 10mm socket would be required.
The long leg of a 6mm Allen Key will reach the lower socket headed bolt, or use a short 1/4 drive extension with a 6mm hex driver bit.
Torque of bolts is a modest 23Nm.
If you lose sight of either of the access plugs when they spring out of the timing cover . . . have a look in the bottom of the radiator cowling. Don't ask how I know this.

[old Jack]

The balancer belt is a much shorter belt so it travels a greater distance during its life and although it does not have the load of the timing belt it is common for these to come loose and break before 90,000-105,000km changes. When they do break they often cause the timing belt to break.

OJ.

[Kingbrown]

Thanks for the words of 'reassurance' OJ !

With the potentially huge consequence of a loose/broken balancer belt taking out the timing belt, why isn't this job done at (say) 60,000km service ?

Re: distance travelled by the balancer belt vs timing belt, isn't the drive sprocket diameter smaller for the balancer belt than for the timing belt, thus compensating for the shorter length of the balancer belt ?

[Kingbrown]

Drive sprockets as per diagram:

[Kingbrown]

Or, is the balancer drive sprocket actually bigger than the timing drive sprocket, which does make the balancer belt travel so much further (as OJ first said). . . . ?

[BMN]

Timing belt time for me (groan) and looking through the manual I happened to see reference to 'On-Vehicle Service' for the Balancer Belt.
What's that all about I wondered . . . ?

The procedure entails removal of the top timing cover to align camshaft timing marks and then removal of two small access covers from the lower timing cover.
This then gives access to the mounting and adjuster bolts for the balance belt tensioner.

Loosening of the adjuster bolts then allows the tensioner to self-adjust. Or so it says.

Reverse the procedure to reinstate everything to normal (taking care to tighten the tensioner's slot-side bolt first and then the pivot bolt).

Is anyone aware of this ever being done between belt changes on their Challenger or Triton ?

Isn't the tensioner spring sufficient to retain the correct tension on the balancer belt between belt changes ?
Edit: It appears that the tensioner is locked in position from the time that the balance belt is installed. The tensioner spring only applies the initial tension to the belt. If the belt wears or stretches, the belt may become loose.

http://faq.out-club.ru/download/paje...1/index_M1.htm

I think i mentioned before that i left my belt change a little late, around the 110k mark and while the timing belt appeared in good condition the balance belt was in very poor condition. I did note the balance belt adjust but based on the 100k condition wonder if adjusting it at 50-60k would put unessesary pressure on a very half worn belt ?. I doubt its done in dealer services ?. I think pre 100k belt change is highly recommended.

[Kingbrown]

Timing belt and balancer belt have been changed and both were found to be in very good condition (@ 100,000 km).

No sign of any cracks or splits or fraying.
Teeth on the belts looked like new as well.

[Tone13]

Mine is due the 200,000k service so timing belt time again. Just got a rough estimate from my local mechanic (not MM) that the major service plus timing belt 'kit' would be close to $1600 all up!

Pretty sure my 105,000k service with timing belt was $1000 from MM so not sure whats going on.

Mechanic said they would be ordering the whole kit rather than just the timing belt....not sure what he means

[BMN]

Mine is due the 200,000k service so timing belt time again. Just got a rough estimate from my local mechanic (not MM) that the major service plus timing belt 'kit' would be close to $1600 all up!

Pretty sure my 105,000k service with timing belt was $1000 from MM so not sure whats going on.

Mechanic said they would be ordering the whole kit rather than just the timing belt....not sure what he means

100k is just the 2 belts (approx $200). You could just replace belts at the 200k but your putting a lot of faith in the pulleys and water pump lasting till 300k. Not sure if a full kit contains the water pump but should be replaced at the 200k. Full kit will at least
contain belts, idler pulleys, tensioner ...and maybe water pump.

[Tone13]

100k is just the 2 belts (approx $200). You could just replace belts at the 200k but your putting a lot of faith in the pulleys and water pump lasting till 300k. Not sure if a full kit contains the water pump but should be replaced at the 200k. Full kit will at least
contain belts, idler pulleys, tensioner ...and maybe water pump.

Ah, that would explain it then!

Anyone else had the 200,000k service done?

Is $1600 from an independent mechanic reasonable? How much does the stealer charge?

[Tone13]

Got a quote from the MM stealer for the 200,00km service / timing belt and they quoted $900-$1000.
They say it's just the belts that get replaced, didn't mention pulleys and said they'd only replace the water pump if there was something wrong with the current one.

Is this correct?