"charlie" > wrote in message
om...
> On 7/24/2011 1:35 AM, Ringo wrote:
>>
>>
>> "Frank Berger" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>> 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,
>>>
>>> Strangely enough my local Mazda dealer, upon changing the timing belt
>>> at 60K, recommended just checking the water pump for leaks and not
>>> just changing in prophylactically. Though this was contrary to all the
>>> advice in RMCR, I listened to him and didn't change the pump because
>>> it seemed OK. Two weeks later the pump went out.
>>
>>
>>> For sure, WHENEVER I have the timing belt changed, many years from now
>>> just being at 36,700, I will definitely also have the water pump
>>> changed also. Was over at our local, "Oil Can Henry's, " again today,
>>> where I get the oil/filter done, and had one of those complete coolant
>>> flushes with the extended life stuff this last Thursday, and the guy
>>> says my hoses look great, probably because I make sure it has always
>>> been services, coolant always changed out on time with the GOOD STUFF,
>>> etc. etc.
>>
>> Now I am considering NEXT July having the 97 Monte Carlo's hoses done,
>> radiators, heaters, as well as this one that is about the diameter of my
>> little finger, and one other short one. But I dread what that sucker
>> will cost me. Shining a flashlight behind that 3.1 liter V6, there is
>> hardly any space to get at those heater hoses/clamps. I have no idea how
>> those guys will do that. Not to mention one of the clamps on that tiny
>> hose. My good car expert guy insists that I not worry about it, even at
>> 14 yrs. old, with only less than 52,000. He says his 89 Chevy PU was
>> over 100,000 miles. And he only did it because the heads needed to be
>> worked on. Otherwise he wouldn't have done it yet. And when he took the
>> hoses off (He does ALL his own stuff), can even rebuild an automatic
>> tranny etc, he said the hoses were in great shape.
>>
>> As far as my Miata, those seriously look near new. But I only see the
>> radiator hoses and the two heater hoses that go directly from the
>> firewall onto the engine block. I don't notice any other small ones.
>> Will take a much better look, when the time comes.
>>
>> Both the 97 Monte Carlo and 2000 Miata are always garaged, rear round,
>> except of course when being used :-). Now my 94 S10 PU is parked out
>> front, and like I said earlier, that one had all its' hoses done with
>> the head gasket job, a good reason to have it done at that time, but was
>> 14 yrs. old at that time, but they all also looked great.
>>
>>
>>
> We changed the timing belt on my 99 at about 60k, since the engine is
> turbo'd. The only visible wear was a slight rounding of the teeth on the
> belt. The water pump and idlers were also changed. One idler's bearings
> felt like it was getting time to change, the other was OK.
> As to hoses - - at least change the heater hoses and upper and lower hoses
> when things are apart. The hoses to the oil filter mount should also be
> changed when you change the other hoses.
>
> As to valve clearance. Usually, just measuring it will tell you that
> things are OK. If not, things can get messy, since many of the dealers
> don't bother to keep the shims in stock. Some have had success in
> switching shims around.
>
> Finally - - Replacing the timing belt involves the possibility of creating
> a problem on some NB's. The original torque values for the crank bolt and
> the procedure in the manuals was not always adequate to prevent eventual
> pulley and damper wobble. You will need a new "key" and Locktite. Mazda
> issued a service note about the problem some time ago. I'd likely wait and
> change the belt at about 80k instead of 60k(miles).
>
>
Charlie>>I definitely can't/won't wait till the time belt change to get the
radiator/heater hoses done. At the amount of mileage that I put on the
Miata, it will take an estimated ten more yrs. just to hit 60,000. If I wait
till 90K, it could be someone else's problem, based on the fact that my Dad
gave up driving at 80>>LOL. Also, last night B4 going to bed, I took a
flashlight and found those two other coolant (Small diameter) hoses that was
mentioned in this thread, coming off near what I assume is the thermostat
housing area. What they are for I have no idea. But they also look great.
You can see the dimpled type material/rubber used these days, obviously some
sort of new space age rubber composite material.
Never knew about hoses to the oil mount. Will check that out next time I
have to hood open for whatever reason. Also forget going to a DEALER. I
won't be ripped off by one. I certainly hope that a NON dealer shop is
knowledgeable enough to, "GET ER DONE," as Larry the Cable Guy would say
:-). I go to a nearby (Within walking) distance shop, that is recommended
on, "Click & Clack's" (The car talk guys), "Mechanic Files,"//cartalk.com,
where you can also catch their very informative/great/funny radio program
(Listen now is FREE).
Also a dealer footnote, we have no Mazda dealer within reasonable distance.
The dealer I bought mine from in the next town up the freeway stopped being
a Mazda dealer (Must have been the economy). And the next town DOWN the
freeway has one, but is between 15>20 miles away. Not that convenient.