The owner's manual states that timing belt replacement for the 420A engine is required every 60K miles, except for California vehicles. I've searched for more information, and apparently the timing belt installed by Mr. Bishi in Bloomington-Normal, IL, when the car was assembled was better quality somehow for CA-market vehicles.
I find this hard to believe. I had the timing belt replaced at 60K, and did it again myself at 95K miles when I replaced the head gasket as directed by TSB 0011001 (dated 1Feb2000). As I recall, the T-belt that I installed was from Goodyear and made in Italy.
I'm with 5K miles of the 60K T-belt replacement interval, but I'd like to be certain. If I don't hafta replace the T-belt, I'd rather not, but T-belt failure is Big Trouble for the 420A.
I suspect that it has something to do with CARB or CA Vehicle Code regulations here on the Left Coast. Who can confirm this? The timing belt cover has a small rectangular hole; is this intended for inspection of the T-belt?
