So my timing belt came apart in 100 miles or so, roughly 80 highway and 20 city. Here are some pics. I am unsure why this happened. Can you tell by the photos?

Anyways, i replaced it with an oem. Inspected everything and it all looked kosher! Beats me!

 

What belt was that? Looks like a Greddy, but the blue looks really faded already for such low miles. Ive been running the Greddy timing belt for a couple thousand miles and it still has the same deep color to it.

Thats a strange cut, looks like a manufacturing weak spot that just cracked open more and more under tension. I do agree though the oem timing belt is the best option. Even with aftermarket cams, I think next go at it Im going back to an oem belt.

 

is that a Gates timing belt?

 

stock with the oem and you will be fine.

 

when it comes to belt always stay with oem good thing it didn't snapped other wise would be lots of $$$

 

Yes this is the gates racing belt. Purchased brand new from buschur.

 

D#*... good thing it did not snap. Happened to me one time in my old Lancer at 70mph. I bent some valves. Always go with oem.

 

Praise be to the evo gods for having mercy

 

It looks like something nicked it(cut it).

 

^this

 

How did you end up spotting that? That could have been catastrophic, nice save.

Off topic: Nice videos, I saw that MTuned will be at VSR in early September are you going?

 

odd...looks like debris may have been between the belt and a gear or it was knicked prior to you getting it or during installation..... doesnt look like a manufacturing issue...i usually look at belts prior to installation by bending them to find things like that....ESPECIALLY the balance shaft belt...

:edit: was it in a box??? did you cut the box open?? looks like a 'razor' cut...??

 

OP are you driving around with the top belt cover off? How did you notice the nick in the belt?

 

Thats everyones conclusion is that it was cut. I dont even own a razor nor use anything sharp to open boxes so it was me. I inspected the belt prior, during, and then as you saw after install and 100 miles of driving. Prior was good, during good... 100 miles down the road and back I found this.

I dont have a clue how it got there. I didnt hit anything, and there was zero chance of sabotage lol. Belt was tensioned correctly too

To address the cover issue yes it was off during the 100 mile trip. I noticed it bc I was looking for leaks and was cleaning etc around the timing belt area.

 

I only use the kevlar belts its $200 but doesnt break that looks like it was cut with a sharp object