Timing Belt

[CTt3P5]

xx

[pro5x2]

I'm at 50K and saving to pickup the "Deal of the month" from Spooled including everything you mention above

Subbin for a reply

[liquid_ag]

im thinking of having this one done

[kansei]

Yes definitely get a new tensioner, idler, and tensioner spring.

It's a pain in the butt job only because of the tight quarters. While you have it all apart, might as well get new accessory belts too (you gotta take them off)

[KrayzieFox]

I'm in the exact same boat dude, so this thread is pure win for me!! I already got a new belt, water pump, thermostat and all gaskets but I'm not sure if I should try doing this myself or not as I can't have the car down for more than a day or so either.

Subbing for info ;)


EDIT: The good ol' service manual has a lot of info, but doesn't really help me figure out how difficult of a job it is.
http://www.floptical.net/mazda/service_web/01-10b.PDF

[bazooka joe]

i was thinking about doing mine as well, i guess i'm gonna chicken out and have my mechanic do it....jeff, i'll have that valve cover for you in about 2 weeks +-...you still want it?

[kansei]

absolutely replace the tensioner.. and idler. Bearings might be worn out, don't want anything going bad with that.

I replaced my tensioner/idler at 76500 miles when I did my timing belt change the second time. I'll skip it when I do a new timing belt again this summer (because I gotta do the water pump, forgot to last time).

[Z]

as for tools, you will need a pulley puller to get the pulley off the wate rpump and the crankshaft.

and, since your gonna take the psgr motor mount out, your gonna need some blocks under to keep the engine supported.

while your in there, you might as well get the lightened pulley set =D

but, with all that stuff, expect a day of frustration. hopefully you wont have too many seized bolts. it might be a good idea to get the tension adjusting bolt for the alternator, and maybe the bracket. that normally rusts pretty bad and breaks (the bolts)

[zmzmwife]

:nervous: Please just have Jimmy do it...Do I need to metion the 12 hour faucet. :peepwall:

[liquid_ag]

ahahahah wifown3d

[zmzmwife]

LOL...that's her way of saying she loves me![/QUOTE]

You know I do. Wouldn't have you any other way. :kiss:

[pro5x2]

Jeff, if you do it yourself, you know you're obligated to take pics and do a mini how-to, right? lol

[bazooka joe]

:nervous: Please just have Jimmy do it...Do I need to metion the 12 hour faucet. :peepwall:

wow!!! my wife never forgets either (she does forgive though!);)
hey, you still interested in that vavle cover?

[SATimko]

I don't have timing belt experience with the P5, but I did the one on my Civic on both the SOHC and DOHC motors. Couple hours, yes. The DOHC one took me about 15 minutes because the motor was sitting on a pallet outside of the garage.

Click link for proof.
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v260/Chupotimko1/Cars/97%20Honda%20Civic/Engine%20Swap/?action=view&current=DSC01433.jpg

It's a ginormous picture...that's why I didn't insert it.

[SpooledupRacing]

My first timing belt job was a tough one.. it took me about 5 hours... However the one thing I found out was after doing it I was suprised how easy it was I just did not know how to do it easily..

Really IMO if you are the backyard mechanic I would do it myself.. first u get the hands on knowledge, you get the comfort of knowing u did everything and some tech did not shot gun the job and maybe messed up..

HOWEVER if you are really just scared to do it there is nothing wrong with having a shop do the work.. as long as u trust them to do it right..

btw I did not quote u on that tensioner spring.. I will toss a new one in for FREE if u buy the list we discussed. You do want to replace that as well

[bazooka joe]

Our wives would get along well. haha

Thanks for remembering me about the vc but I am going to have to pass. My goal for the engine bay now is to just clean it up good and keep up with that. I will leave the bling for the exterior/interior of the car. :)

no prob! let me know if you do the belt!

[bazooka joe]

maybe it's gone up but my mechanic was like $550 with parts:???:

[zmzmwife]

But add a million headaches for me....just kidding. $400.00 = Kitchen Fund :D

[zmzmwife]

maybe it's gone up but my mechanic was like $550 with parts:???:

Why does this make me feel a trip to Boston is in order...:smile:

[bazooka joe]

But add a million headaches for me....just kidding. $400.00 = Kitchen Fund :D

haha...i heard about the sink....

[zmzmwife]

haha...I know, but I try! :) $400 = kitchen fund :screwy:.....$400 = more P5 mods. :yes:

:rollinglaugh: Go right ahead....:naughty:

Someone say Boston? haha

Whaddaya say Mark....timing belt meet at your place? :)[/QUOTE]

Oh, jeez, did I open a can of worms. ;)

[chiefmg]

Biggest PITA for the timing belt is getting both cams in the correct position. Otherwise it is a piece of cake. Definitely plan on doing your water pump, thermostat and all hoses at the same time as it is easier. Also make sure to get a new tensioner spring, you will likely deform the old one getting it off (voice of experience). It does help having air tools to remove the passenger side engine mount.

BTW, the thermostat doesn't have a gasket per se, there is a rubber piece that fits around the thermostat itself that provides the seal. It should be included with the T-stat.

[chiefmg]

Just went and read the beginning of the thread. Unless you are hamfisted, you don't need the cam seals, and certainly not the crank seal. The water pump pulley will come off with little effort (I am basing this on my gf's '99 with over 100,000 miles when I did this) so you don't need a puller. Can't remember for sure if I removed the crank pulley, but I did not use a puller if I did (and I do have one so that wasn't an issue).

I will say to keep in mind that I work on ships for a living with all the experience that entails, so YMMV. Oh, and you could always come here to N KY which would be close than Boston (although maybe not as glamourous).

[kansei]

you can get a took that sits between the cam gears and locks them in place.

And yeah I've done my timing belt job 3 times and never needed any puller of any sort.

[Z]

getting the cams in the right position isnt that bad.

just get 2 large wrenches. put one on each cam shaft, and rotate the cams until you get to TDC. all the marks should line up and your all set to go. cut the belt off, put on the new one and your laughing.

[bazooka joe]

jeff, you're always welcome for what ever mods or repairs you need done...i'm not going to do my, i just don't have the day (or in my case weekend) to devote to it...plus i'm doing so many other things at the sane time....having the lift and all the right tools will make the install that much easier....

[SATimko]

If it makes you feel any more comfortable about waiting until you have a free weekend... I'm at 126k miles on my stock belt. I've had no issues, and I've had no time to change it. I need to do it soon.

[kansei]

Didn't you buy the car with 90something K? It probably already had the belt replaced. I wanna say for cold climates they call for replacement at 60k?

[SATimko]

91k when I bought it. Unfortunately the dipshit salesman didn't have any records on the car. And harsh environments were either 60k or 75k. I'm hoping they did in fact do it, because I don't have the spare cash right now with all the other crap I've been needing to fix. I have a brand new belt for the Honda which will get done sooner or later, along with my adjustable cam gears. Just not enough time in the day.

[SpooledupRacing]

Which is normally un likley..

I still say do it yourself I think u could easily do it and its not gonna be to hard..

[SATimko]

Judging by the factory spark plugs I found at 100k, I doubt the belt was ever changed tho...

[SpooledupRacing]

You need brakes AND a timing kit from me now Stephen...

[SATimko]

And the money to buy it. I know man, I do.

[SpooledupRacing]

Dont we all need cash!

[SpooledupRacing]

I say do it.. you need it done and it is something u can easily do.. I think u will regret it if YOU don't do it