Howdy, y'all,

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?

Thanks much, y'all.

Not sure about the C.A.R.B. stuff {I escaped So Cal for the sanity of Ga in 85...haven't regretted it a bit! } but the small cover IS for TB exam.
I lost a Kia {the wife's} due to a broke TB and it trashed the motor.
It may be a PITA to do the belt, but I'd recommend doing it since a broke one is not only a PITA, but a major dent in the wallet too.



The good we do, never remembered.
The bad, never forgotten.
_________
97 Eagle Talon ESi w/CAI/HiPerf coil & wires/on-board G-force meter

Always get the TB from the dealership if possible. If you can't then get a gates racing belt. Some cheap TB can shred or stretch and if it breaks while driving it'll cause all kinds of internal damage.

Its not worth the risk. You dont have to do it right at 60k but I would start getting ready to do it in the next 10k miles. Its only a days worth of work at the most.

Thanks, y'all for your thoughts about T-belt replacement interval. Since the engine designers at Chrysler thoughtfully provided a T-belt inspection window in the outer cover, I'll use it to inspect the T-belt as often as I change engine oil and filter, and rotate the wheels. I'll take coupla photos and upload an on-vehicle service note about T-belt inspection in the next few days.

Just discovered that there's a mechanical T-belt tensioner replacement assembly that substitutes for the hydraulic thrust tensioner for the 420A. It's available from Parts Dinosaur in AZ:
http://www.store.partsdinosaur.com/page29.html

I always wondered if there was a replacement for the hydraulic thrust tensioner because of the awkward method to squeeze it with a vice, and then pin it in the retracted position with an Allen kit.

Has anybody else replaced the hydraulic tensioner with this new kit?

I run that tensioner on my car. I didnt have a choice because of the oil pump I am running but if I were you I would leave the hydraulic one on the car. Its much easier to set and you know its right. This one takes a few trys and you cant really see it well and when you rotate the motor the tension varies depending on cam position so you have to guess a little bit.

And dont just assume your timing belt is good because it doesnt show much wear. They break without warning

Originally posted by jazzkeys
I suspect that it has something to do with CARB or CA Vehicle Code regulations here on the Left Coast. Who can confirm this?

CARB and CA vehicle code have nothing to do with it. We in Cali have the same idler pulley/tensioner/belt as everyone else. The only guess I have is that perhaps our moderate climate gave the parts a longer estimated lifespan.

Originally posted by jazzkeys
The timing belt cover has a small rectangular hole; is this intended for inspection of the T-belt? Thanks much, y'all.

Yes it's for that. But don't rely on it. Your pulley/tensioner may self destruct long before your belt does.