kidscollegefund Posted April 23, 2011 Share Posted April 23, 2011 So I've had my '98 SE for about a year now and done a bunch of upgrades and maintenance, one thing that keeps botherinig me though is I do not know the age of the timing belt. Any way to find out when this was changed last? No records came with the truck. Can dealership check by VIN to see if they did it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ahardb0dy Posted April 23, 2011 Share Posted April 23, 2011 when ever buying a used vehicle of any kind it is always a good idea to do all the normal maintenance, especially the timing belt. Better safe than sorry. Even if you have records from a previous owner, unless you actually know the person do you want to trust their records? better to pay for a timing belt than a whole motor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
devonianwalk Posted April 23, 2011 Share Posted April 23, 2011 Change the water pump while you're there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nunya Posted April 23, 2011 Share Posted April 23, 2011 no records=get it done so you dont have to worry anymore in my books. comnig from the person whos still driving around on a belt i only found out a couple weeks ago WAS changed not long before I got it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidscollegefund Posted April 24, 2011 Author Share Posted April 24, 2011 That is what I figured, it is next on the list. How much should it cost to have it done? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clkindred Posted April 24, 2011 Share Posted April 24, 2011 How many miles on it? I was sweating it last year because I was at 127,000 on the factory t-belt, then my water pump started to leak real bad and I got off my butt and did it. Looking back, the t-belt was in good shape for the miles on it, no fraying cracks or anything, but it was stretched a little loose. I sure felt better after the new t-belt and water pump went in though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clkindred Posted April 24, 2011 Share Posted April 24, 2011 That is what I figured, it is next on the list. How much should it cost to have it done? DIY: Depends on what all you do, I did the belt, tensioner, water pump, all coolant hoses less the heater hoses, and coolant for $250 perhaps $300 IIRC. SHOP: Seems the going rate around my area was about $750-$800 bucks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
devonianwalk Posted April 24, 2011 Share Posted April 24, 2011 I have a friend that is mechanically inclined and has all the tools to boot. He did my tb, wp, and all the other belts as a favor for me. All I had in it was the cost of the belts and pump. I ended up buying him some Polk tower speakers for his time. In the end, I think that we were both happy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timmons Posted April 24, 2011 Share Posted April 24, 2011 On a timing belt: When in doubt, change it out. Along with the thermostate and water pump. Factory advises every 100K to change out the timing belt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidscollegefund Posted April 24, 2011 Author Share Posted April 24, 2011 Yeah, 180k on the truck so even if the previous owner changed it on the recommended interval it is about due again. On the 'to do list' for next weekend. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidscollegefund Posted May 8, 2011 Author Share Posted May 8, 2011 So had the timing, serpentine belts changed, coolant flushed, new pump and thermostat done this week, $630 California dollars at my local shop. I'll feel much better taking her off road now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clkindred Posted May 9, 2011 Share Posted May 9, 2011 So had the timing, serpentine belts changed, coolant flushed, new pump and thermostat done this week, $630 California dollars at my local shop. I'll feel much better taking her off road now. Nice, did they do the timing belt tensioner? My old one is sitting in the garage and I picked it up the other day, the bearings are seized up. I know it spun when I took it out. Seems it locked up just sitting there! What about the little macaroni noodle coolant hose deep in there? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidscollegefund Posted May 9, 2011 Author Share Posted May 9, 2011 They said all tensioners, pulleys and hoses looked good. Got the 325/1444 CEL codes to deal with next, any suggestions on where to get a deal on a charcoal filter? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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