L Series 6 Cyl engine

While looking at 6th Planet parts, I found this editorial on the timing belt
used on the V6 engines.
The Engine was Designed by Opel and Saturn claims 100K miles on the belt.
The author expresses concern that 100K is an extreme over-estimate. This
engine is an interference type (things go **crash** when the timing belt
slips) so a good awareness of when the belt starts to wear is important. My
minivan had a simple 2.5L engine and at 90K (the recommended service
interval) the timing belt was still pretty good. That was a non-interference
engine so no damage if it goes but I replaced it anyway.

http://www.6thplanetusedparts.com/timingbelts.htm

 

The author of that article claims that 99% of other timing-belt-equipped
vehicles recommend a lower replacement interval than 100K miles. Looking at
the Gates timing belt application guide, this is clearly not true. There are
many Acura, Honda, Audi, Chrysler, and other GM vehicles that recommend a
replacement interval of 100,000 miles, or more in some cases. For example, a
2001 Honda Accord with 3.0L V6 calls for replacement at 105,000 miles, and
an Audi TT calls for the belt to be replaced at 120,000 miles. Both of those
are interference engines.

 

Yeah until you're in for a service and the guys says the belt is looking
bad, it's been 60k since the last one, and you know if it breaks it's going
to be a butt load of cash to repair... re: older Honda Civic.

What the recommended service interval is in print is not always what it is
in real world applications.

 

My wife's 93 Acura has a timing belt replacement variable of 90,000. I
replace it sooner, the first one was at 80k, second was right before 160k,
when I also did the water pump. Next one is scheduled for 240k. Car has
220k now, and someone rear-ended it last week. I'm waiting for the
insurance estimate, hoping that I'll be able to fix the car and do the next
belt at 240k.

-David

 

I'm a salesman in New York. I've taken two L300's in on trade-in that
had over 100K miles and still had the original kevlar-impregnated timing
belt.

There aren't a whole lot of L300's out there with this many miles on
them, since the design only goes back to 2001, but the product
literature would seem to be accurate.

 

Thanks for the feedback. I still will pull the cover and inspect at least
once a year for wear.

Oppie
'01 LW300 (41k)


_________________
| I'm a salesman in New York. I've taken two L300's in on trade-in that
| had over 100K miles and still had the original kevlar-impregnated timing
| belt.
|
| There aren't a whole lot of L300's out there with this many miles on
| them, since the design only goes back to 2001, but the product
| literature would seem to be accurate.
|
|
|