View Poll Results: When did you change your stock timing belt?
<55k miles
9
11.84%
55k to 65k miles
29
38.16%
>65k miles
11
14.47%
>75k miles
15
19.74%
>100k miles
12
15.79%
Voters: 76. You may not vote on this poll
Question On Evo's Timing Belt Mileage
I've bugged him WAY too much the last two weeks, so give me some time, lol. Although I'm spending hundreds with him so he shouldn't complain
I'm pushing 84k on my 03. Still on original belt along with oil and water pump. I'll probably get it all redone when motor is built. Just took the car on a road trip from Wisconsin to georgia with no issues. I dont want to py for labor twice so I'm just waiting for an engine overhaul and doing it once.
Thread Starter
Evolving Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 112
Likes: 5
From: NJ
Ok so here is what I HEARD from Mitsu:
VIII is 60k. IX is 100k. BUT he said he wouldn't trust that and would do it at 60k. His exact words were "With something that's worth that much money and worth so much to you, why risk going as high as you can with the possibiility of massive failure or breakdown." to which I said "So even in a IX you suggest 60k?" and he said "Yes, but that's just me. Technicality goes to 100k for IX but I say do it sooner." and then went on to ask the number 1 tech at the dealer who said the exact same thing.
VIII is 60k. IX is 100k. BUT he said he wouldn't trust that and would do it at 60k. His exact words were "With something that's worth that much money and worth so much to you, why risk going as high as you can with the possibiility of massive failure or breakdown." to which I said "So even in a IX you suggest 60k?" and he said "Yes, but that's just me. Technicality goes to 100k for IX but I say do it sooner." and then went on to ask the number 1 tech at the dealer who said the exact same thing.
Thread Starter
Evolving Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 112
Likes: 5
From: NJ
I just changed the belt myself at 80,000 miles. on a IX. The belt look decent but a bit dry. I have done several belts on other cars and would not be to worried if noticed the same condition of this belt lets say on a Focus. But Evo's make way more power and place more stress on these belts than most Focus do. In my Opinion, 80,000 is good but I wouldn't go any further than that. Plus it's not that hard to do. The only thing that I struggled a bit was doing the oil pump Balance shaft because the factory marking wasn't correct.
Evolved Member
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,080
Likes: 27
From: Southern California
The asterisk next to the timing belt replacement on the 60k refers to this statement:
"For California, Massachusetts, Vermont and Maine, this maintenance is recommended but not required to maintain the emissions warranty."
Also on that table, it says to replace it at 105k miles, if it hasn't already been done (which is likely just for people in those states), though it looks like regardless of what you do, changing it by 120k is an absolute must.
But for the "severe scheduled maintenance" list, the timing belt replacement is recommended at 60k intervals regardless.
Last edited by DeeezNuuuts83; Oct 25, 2012 at 03:20 PM.
Agreed, im definitely using the severe usage guide on my car as it does get driven pretty hard occasionally! My new concern tho is that if the factory ix belt is kevlar reinforced I dont want to replace it with a lesser quality part so ill either go oem or gates racing belt! Not gonna lie, im not changing the water pump as I would rather take it all apart again IF the pump were to go than spend money to replace a perfect working component that will NOT affect your timimg belt if the pump were to fail. I understand the whole "while your there you might as well", but I stopped living by that a looong time ago and have yet to regret it! Not trying to change anyones mind but my personal opinion and experience allows me to spend my hard earned cash on parts that NEED replacing. Thanks again OP, this is a great contribution to the evo community!
Thread Starter
Evolving Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 112
Likes: 5
From: NJ
Deeez..I think most evo driver here in the forum know we have to change the timing belt at 60k miles. The poll will just give us info how long this freking timing belt runs. So, I know no ones wants to break their engine by not replacing at recommended mileage or time.
So far, while our timing belts breaking will surely happen, i can see from poll owner who responded to having their stock evo timing belts replaced way pass the 60k miles recomended threshold.
Canadian-IX - I agree. However, like I said this is not a recommendation.
So far, while our timing belts breaking will surely happen, i can see from poll owner who responded to having their stock evo timing belts replaced way pass the 60k miles recomended threshold.
Canadian-IX - I agree. However, like I said this is not a recommendation.
you can change your timing belt at 90k miles, but if you're listed in the (*) states they suggest you change it at 60k miles due to emissions. i would suggest inspecting your belts frequently for missing teeth or frayed parts.
by the way i changed mine at 75k miles along with water pump and idler pullies.
by the way i changed mine at 75k miles along with water pump and idler pullies.
Last edited by lostsoulsevo; Oct 29, 2012 at 03:54 AM.
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 79
Likes: 3
From: CT
Hey guys I just picked up my Evo, the timing belt was done at 58k .
The car is now at 76k.
But the time fame is what worries me, the car hasn't been driven much, 58k was 4 years ago.
Should I change out the belt?
Or is there anything specific I should look for on a visual inspection.
The car is now at 76k.
But the time fame is what worries me, the car hasn't been driven much, 58k was 4 years ago.
Should I change out the belt?
Or is there anything specific I should look for on a visual inspection.