"Ringo" > wrote in message
...
>
>
> "Christopher Muto" > wrote in message
> t...
>> On 7/22/2011 2:22 PM, Ringo wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>> "XS11E" > wrote in message
>>> ...
>>>> "Ringo" > wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> but true, but now sort of a related question due
>>>>> around the same 60,000 miles. I also noted in the scheduled
>>>>> maintenance list that it says to change the timing belt at 60K,
>>>>> which I have always been aware of, having owned several Japanese 4
>>>>> bangers. BUT there is a couple of footnotes #s 2 &3 that says if
>>>>> initially sold in several states, including mine, California, to
>>>>> change it at 105,000 instead. My question, in those few states,
>>>>> did Mazda use a heavier duty type belt???
>>>>
>>>> No, California law required Mazda to make that change, it's the same
>>>> belt for all. General consensus here seems to be that 100,000 miles is
>>>> a safe figure to use.
>>>>
>>>> NOTE: The Miata is a non-interference engine so if the belt breaks you
>>>> will NOT damage the engine.
>>>>
>>>> Next note: Change belt AND idler pulleys, cam shaft seals, crank seal
>>>> and water pump since you're already in there and almost all of the
>>>> labor is already done. It costs more but the peace of mind is worth
>>>> it!
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>> XS11E, Killing all posts from Google Groups
>>>> The Usenet Improvement Project:
>>>> http://twovoyagers.com/improve-usenet.org/
>>>
>>> Thanks for that advice. I knew about the water pump, but not all the
>>> rest. I am C&P'g that to myself in an email, for future reference. But
>>> even though it is a non-interference engine, I will play it safe when
>>> the time comes and do it right at or near 60K. It would be just my luck
>>> to crap out on the way to or returning from Pismo Beach a 4.5 hr. drive.
>>> At my amount of Miata driving, mileage collecting, I'm safe for around
>>> another 10 yrs>>LOL.
>>
>> i think you are safe with holding off on the timing belt. this has been
>> discussed at length and you can search the web or miata.net to find any
>> number of discussions on the topic. for example i picked up my 95 miata
>> in 2005 with 105k on it from someone that had it since 30k and who never
>> replaced the timing belt. it was confirmed with the dealer maintenance
>> history that it had never been done. of course i had it done right away
>> but i would not of done it at 60k. probably 90k would have fit my
>> conform level. worse case I would have been looking at a little
>> inconvenience and tow should it go out prematurely, but i don't think
>> anyone ever reported the original belt snapping on them under 100k. but
>> with your car now 11 years old i would be looking at replacing the
>> complete set of hoses on the engine (including the often overlooked small
>> houses) as preventative maintenance as a much higher priority.
>> overheating can cause inconvenience as well as serious damage to the
>> engine, a snapped timing belt only causes inconvenience.
>> just my 2¢.
>
> Yes 11 yrs old, but only 36, 700 miles on it, and well maintained. Oil
> changed every year whether it has gone 3,000 miles or not. Only made about
> 1,600 this last year. Always had the coolant changed/flushed. Just had
> that done on Thursday, the complete flush with the extended 5 yr/100,000
> mile coolant. Hoses are like new. Car is ALWAYS garaged when home, not on
> a trip, say to the beach. I am told with todays hoses (Rubber/material
> used) not to worry about the period of time. Could go well over 100,000
> miles
P.S. My Wife's Chevy 97 Monte Carlo is 14 yrs. old this month, and the hoses
all look excellent, also getting maintained, cooling system flushes ON TIME,
etc. My 94 Chevy S10 PU, had its' hoses replaced at the 14 yr. mark, simply
because the head gasket got repaired. So since I was already paying to have
that done, having the hoses replaced wasn't much of a stretch. A good friend
of mine who has been working on cars since he was 12, now like 73 or there
abouts, tells me not to worry about them, that they are way different (Much
better quality material/rubber) than the hoses back in olden times. I
believe his Chevy full size PU is an 89, and still on the original hoses.
This guy can rebuild anything to do with ANY car, motor transmission,
anything.