I have a 1999 eclipse GS with 65,000 miles on it. My manual says to change the timing belt at 60,000 miles. And this is an interference engine so a broken belt is a major headache. BUT.......

California cars have the recommendation to change the timing belt at 100,000 miles! Same engine, same belt part number.

What gives???

Keith
1999 GS with OZ racing package

Not sure about the whole CA recommendation thing, but chances are the belt would probably be okay to a 100k miles. The real question is though...is it worth risking it? I'd take the preventative measure and get the belt changed as soon as you can organize your time/funds.


http://www.dsmregistry.com/detail.php?carid=1185

Well, yes, I hear ya but I'm reminded of the whole "defensive medicine" thing; Mr Mitsubishi says "It should be just fine for over 100,000 miles but, hey, I'm not paying so why not just slap in a maintenance requirement for 60,000 miles (except in California where they won't let me screw the customers like that)".

?????

Keith

Change your timing belt.

We have the exact same parts in our cars as the rest of the country. So do our cars somehow know that they are in cali, and therefore must magically keep the timing belt from snapping? manufacturers often give different recommendations for california cars, on everything from transmission fluid to timing belts. I never have heard someone give a theory why that's the case. I sure can't think of anything - and "good weather" doesn't mean anything b/c weather is so varied in cali.

Some cars can last to 120,000 miles before their owners do a timing belt change. that does not mean we should all do that.

Change that belt or start shopping for your new, junkyard replacement engine...

Where do you see this 100k recommendation?

At this point, a whole used head is cheaper than a timingbelt change, so I don't see the point of changing it unless you want to schedule the downtime and do preventative maintenance to avoid an unexpected breakdown.

but then you have to change the timing belt with the head :P Where are you finding cheap heads by the way (I like a cheap head when I can find one!)

get the mechanical timing tensioner replacement from partsdinosaur.com. much easier to work with than the hydraulic factory unit.

they probably mean to say Canada change at 100K Km's which is approx. 60K Miles.

Damned Metric system! You know how to order a Quarter Pounder in Canda?

Royale with cheese! Now THATS a tasty burger!