I just picked up a 96 GSR with 134k miles and am trying to figure out if the timing belt is worn, as the records leave much to be desired... It looks great to me, but I thought I'd get some more opinions.

-Mark

 

It does look good. You have to consider that if this belt breaks your engine will be screwed. So its hard to say, the belt is not that much i say if your skeptic about when it was last done i say change it. Replace the water pump too if you decide to replace the belt.

 

It looks like it needs to be changed to me.

 

First off, welcome to HAN. :goodjob: Enjoy your stay.

You'll be absolutely screwed when the timing belt snaps. No question about it.

Replace the timing belt, tensioner assembly and water pump without delay.

 

I agree, replace it. The belt may look ok, but it does stretch over time and you can't really see that.

The belt should be relaced after 90k miles anyway. Do the tentioner while you're at it. If you're having any cooling issues, do the water pump too.

hih

 

I reccomend replacing the water pump simply because if it were to fail (sieze), it could lead to a snapped belt... why tempt fate?

 

Not true. My timing belt just went...didn't break but stretched to the point where it jumped timing. The timing was way off but the enging is fine. I just changed the belt (water pump and tensioner while I was in there) and everything is cool.

 

Wow, looks like I found a great resource here! Thanks guys! What exactly is the wear you are seeing, as details like that will help me in the future...

So in getting the belt changed, is it really a good idea to fork out another 50 bucks for the tensioner? I can see water pump...but tensioner? Cheers,

-Mark

 

Well, it really depends on what you're doing at the time of the break and if it actually breaks. If you're winding it out and it breaks, your crank will probably keep spinning a couple more revolutions than your cams and *ping*, there goes a valve.

If you're just driving it normally and it jumps a tooth, you probably won't have a problem.

 

Well I was just cruising in 3rd. But when I checked the cam gears Both arrows should be up at the same time. One was up and the other was completely down. So that's more than just one tooth. Maybe I was lucky.