Miata Mailing List: April 1998, Message #226

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In a message dated 98-04-01 17:47:23 EST, Eric.Thompson@us.mw.com writes:

> OK, so I've got a 1991 (vin #204613) and it is fast approaching 60,000
miles.  
> 
>  I'm the second owner and I'm positive that the belt hasn't been changed and
> I'm 
>  virtually certain that nothing has ever been touched on the engine other 
> than 
>  oil changes.  Has anyone with the same (weak) crank gone over the 60,000 
> mile 
>  change interval?  How far over? Has anyone ever had a belt break?  At what 
>  mileage?
>  
>  I'm trying to figure my safety margin here.  I'm not really worried about 
> being 
>  stranded with a broken belt (although I am planning to do some long road 
> trips 
>  this year), but if there is a risk of shaft-breakage after replacement I'd 
> as 
>  soon stretch it out as long as possible.
>  
>  Another thing-none of the dealers in the Minneapolis area seem to have any 
> kind 
>  of experience with the crank-shaft problem, at least none that make me 
>  confident enough to hand over my car and blindly say change the timing
belt. 
>  
>  For a once every 5 (or so) year maintenance item I might be willing to
drive 
> to 
>  some other (semi-nearby) place where a mechanic has an appreciation of this
>  problem.
>  
>  Any comments you might have would be appreciated.  Especially any that
other 
>  
>  (1990 and) early 1991 owners might have.
>  

I know I am opening a can of worms here but here goes.

I have a '90 with 110K miles I have replaced the timing belt twice along with
the front oil seal once.  My car is fine.  If you take your time and know how
to use a torque wrench changing the timing belt is a simple repair.  I find it
hard to believe that a gear leaps off the crank shaft of a correctly assembled
engine.

A good mechaninc should have no problem doing this for you.  Finding a good
mechanic, that's another story......

Ken Hill