I got my timing belt replaced in about 8 hours between Friday and Sunday. It wasn't so horrible though I did have to buy a more powerful impact wrench for the crank bolt.
I did not replace the waterpump. It was stuck and not leaking so I didn't invite any further issues by making it come out.

Keep in mind that I just found out this engine burns about 2 quarts of oil in 1000 miles. So longevity up to 200k seems out of the question. It has 151k now.

Okay, I'll also admit that I had to adjust the gears a couple times to get it right. They moved in between removing the old belt and installing the new one. And...There was no mark on the crank pulley for TDC. Or I didn't see it.

 

Glad it went Ok, my teg just turned 89k miles so I will be doing this soon. I did the timing belt on my old DSM(90 eclipse) but it was pretty easy with the engine on a stand! Where did you get the parts?

Ross

 

I ordered the kit from prostreet online for the tb, and waterpump. I got all the drive belts from Schucks. I still have a brand new waterpump if somebody wants it.

 

Glad it went okay! I guess if you didn't notice any leakage from the pump then it should be fine. Usually theres a little bit around weeping hole if the seal on the bearing is failing.

 

I checked the weep hole specifically. It looked good. The pump itself was obviously sealed with something like RTV...heavily. Even the timing belt looked fine. It would have been best to leave all but the alternator and PS belts alone. No regrets.

 

There is a white mark on the crank pulley that will line up with the mark on the block for TDC.

 

as for the water pump, on my 98 ls i found the water pump to have a bad bearing. it did not turn as freely as the new one.

i am goin to share one little secret that nobody has talked about on this board about the timing. if you take white out and make marks on both cams and the crank timing gear while the old belt is on, making sure you make the mark is on any tooth and on the belt, it helps out alot. what you can do is, once you remove the old belt, count the number of teeth between marks and make the same marks on the new belt. then just place the new belt on with aligning the new belt to the marks on the pulleys and the belt correctly and the timing should be set. it beats having to fight with the belt if you don't place it on right and if you have trouble with finding the timing marks.

 

how much did the parts cost you?

 

Word. The thing with the new belts is that they dont need to show signs of wear before breaking, not like the 'old days' where its pretty obvious when a blet needs to get replaced. My water pump was probably fine too but I'd rather not tear that shit apart again when it does fail. Better safe than sorry I guess. Plus now I have a sense of comfort for the next 90000 miles