Is there an easy way to inspect the timing belt?

[colincliff2]

I've got a 93 J30 with 120,000 miles on it. The timing belt was replaced at the Infiniti dealer about 8 years ago @ 60,000 miles. I'm not sure if it has the kevlar belt or not. I'd hate to pay a bunch of $$ only to find out that my J has the 90,000 mile belt on it. Is there any way to see the belt without ripping everything apart? My old Acura Legend had a little peep hole with a cap on it so you could see the belt, this car doesn't appear to have one. Any ideas? Thanks!

[gr8scott72]

Is there any way to see the belt without ripping everything apart?

No.

My 93 had 175,000 miles on it when I got it and it was on the original belt.

[colincliff2]

Wow, you got lucky there. Do you think i'm risking it by letting it go much longer? The car was garaged and owned by a 70+ year old for the last 10 years, so it hasn't been driven hard at all, not sure if that makes a difference in belt life or not.

[95-J30tt]

there is now way to inspect the belt unless it is removed, and at that point, you are there already.......

the belt shouldnt cost more than 120US, and the water pump (which you should change since you are there) shouldnt cost more than 150US, all infiniti stealership prices........

let me know if you want to change the belt yourself, i have a write up..... it takes about 10-12 hours of work (even if you are doing the job for the first time)..... i hope this helps, good luck

[driverdriver]

You can't see the wear on the timing belt till its off the guide.

I wouldn't gamble with a timing belt, especially on an interference engine like the J. If it goes, your gauranteed an expensive engine rebuild or replacement.

[elan]

I think 93's where not kevlar

I was checking the belt kits recently and 93's had a different kit which makes me think that the replacement is not kevlar either. I might be wrong. Call Joe at scottdale and ask them but as Tyger said do not gamble with it

[GeoFX]

I purchased a 1997 J30 back in March with only 55K miles on it and with the original timing belt. I changed it (plus all the water pump, seals, etc.) since I didn't want to take a risk with the car being that old. It's not only miles but other factors such as age, climate, etc. that can lead to belt degradation (kevlar or not).

The Infiniti maintainence schedule claims you need to change the timing belt for a 97 at 105,000 miles (dunno for the '93) without a time limit though. I figured that Infiniti assumed that the belt would be changed at least once during a 10-year lifespan. As a result, I'd rather err on the side of caution.

[Defiant]

Echo, echo, echo. The best way to check the timing belt is by looking at the odometer.Your replacement eight years ago was a kevlar belt. Infiniti doesn't think you'll own the car long enough to need a second, nor do they much care about third and more owners (because we seldom drop much coin at the dealerships anymore).At that age, considering a replacement would be smart. You're gamb|ing.

[seantn1k]

Hey,

there is now way to inspect the belt unless it is removed, and at that point, you are there already.......

the belt shouldnt cost more than 120US, and the water pump (which you should change since you are there) shouldnt cost more than 150US, all infiniti stealership prices........

let me know if you want to change the belt yourself, i have a write up..... it takes about 10-12 hours of work (even if you are doing the job for the first time)..... i hope this helps, good luck

Can you leave a link for the writeup you were talking about? I'm planning on doing this job for a friend. I have the factory repair manual that someone posted online but I would like any additional documentation I can get my hands on.

Do you also have any particular recommendations on aftermarket part brands? I'm more familiar with parts for BMW's.

I found this for the timing belt and pulleys:http://www.thepartsbin.com/cat...12615

I have this link for the water pump:http://www.thepartsbin.com/cat...-1155

I have good experiences with contitech but I have never heard of that brand of water pump. Also, are these prices anywhere near "normal" or at least "decently cheap"?

Thanks,

Sean

[yodawill2000]

for about the same price you can get the whole TBelt kit at everythinginfiniti.comHas alot more than those two links.And Joe will make sure you get the right stuff.

[yodawill2000]

I think 93's where not kevlar

I was checking the belt kits recently and 93's had a different kit which makes me think that the replacement is not kevlar either. I might be wrong. Call Joe at scottdale and ask them but as Tyger said do not gamble with it

FYI if you look at the belt part # its the same in both kits.

[seantn1k]

THANK YOU! I really appreciate the info for the infiniti parts place! Cheap and has everything I wouldn't have thought about included in the kit!

BTW found the write up for the J30 Timing Belt here:zerothread?id=198122

This forum is the BEST! I...... I love you guys!

Sean

[yodawill2000]

Sean ..Be sure and call the order in and Ask for Joe.Make sure he knows your a Nico member.You may be surprised

[colincliff2]

Ok, i'm gonna go ahead and get it replaced. Damn, the dealer wants $1500 for the full timing belt/water pump, etc.! I'm gonna hunt around, i wasn't planning on spending over $1000.

[yodawill2000]

Buy the kit from Joe and find a reputable Z car tech.Same motor as the 300ZXShould be WAY under 1K total.

[matt0925]

The easiest way to inspect the timing belt is to take the driver side cover off. you will need to take the intake off and disconnect the crankshaft position sensor. its actually really easy to accomplish, only takes about thirty mins. tops. look for fraying or missing teeth. if in doubt about its condition, replace it asap! you wouldnt want it to break cuz you would need a whole new engine if it did!

[gr8scott72]

The easiest way to inspect the timing belt is to take the driver side cover off. you will need to take the intake off and disconnect the crankshaft position sensor. its actually really easy to accomplish, only takes about thirty mins. tops. look for fraying or missing teeth. if in doubt about its condition, replace it asap! you wouldnt want it to break cuz you would need a whole new engine if it did!

The problem with what you said is that the belt can look fine one day and break the next. And if you already have missing teeth, your engine is probably already toast.

[haasker]

Yes there is! It only took 15 minutes or so. Just acquired 1994 J30 Base. 178,000. No record of timing belt change. Took off the Drivers side cover yesterday to check markings on belt; it is a Nissan 13028, a part no, and a curious marking , 4-05. Is that a mfgr date? My question is, w/o knowing from prior owner, what are the chances this belt is the original, and never been changed? btw, I've seen a lot of belts in my time, and this one appears to be perfect... no cracking, no fraying. but the prior poster is correct, you can't see much from on top; however, it it is 18 years old, it sure doesn't look it. I've already ordered a Contitech kit, I'll be doing the job in 3 weeks or so.

[yodawill2000]

If it was done by a Dealer it should have the mileage "When Changed" on a small metal plate on the underside of the hood, up front.