Timing belt

[thx712517]

I'm sitting at just a tick under 51,000 miles, so I figure it's time to start saving up for a timing belt change. From reading around on Miata.net it'll be the belt, associated pulleys, water pump, accessory belts, valve cover gasket, and some kind of cam seal?

What shops do you recommend? I emailed Mazcare and they told me over $1800 in parts and labor, I'm not too keen on that. I emailed R-Speed on Monday morning and haven't heard back from 'em yet. I've yet to call Jim Ellis. So, recommendations? Suggestions? Stuff to get done at the same time?

[ben91]

If you insist on doing the belt on schedule (I actually do not believe that the TB should be replaced until at least 70k miles, if not more), I recommend you take it to my dad's shop. Atlanta Import Auto in Lawrenceville.

You do the belt, water pump, cam seals, crank seals, radiator hoses, and few other small things. Good time to go ahead and do the heater core hoses if you want.

[thx712517]

Unlike everyone else on this board, apparently, I live in Marietta. If I can't find anything else though, I'll keep it in mind.

[metalman]

I wouldnt even consider doing a TB until at least 100k.

$1800????? Holy crap!! No way on that for me.

[thx712517]

100K? Even on an autocrossed car? I mean it'd be great 'cause it'd save me some money (and no way am I going to Mazcare) but I'd be worried about breaking the belt at an inopportune moment.

[amaff]

wow... I did my own (without replacing the cam seals or front main seals because they weren't leaking a bit and a pain in the balls to do) w/ a new water pump for half that. I tell you what, get the timing belt kit from mazda (preferably mazda motorsports) and a new water pump and we'll knock that thing out in my garage one weekend for <$300 and some pizza and beer ;)

Then again, most timing belt intervals are either 60k or 100k, so honestly you don't need to worry about it terribly.

[ben91]

I think 100K is pushing it on the water pump, but 80-90K yeah no problem.

[thx712517]

Well dang Andrew, I just might have to hunt you down in 10,000-15,000 miles and take you up on the offer.

[amaff]

Well dang Andrew, I just might have to hunt you down in 10,000-15,000 miles and take you up on the offer.

For something like this it's not even really worth the $$. Especially on the miata, it's not a hard job. While you're there tho, the easy stuff def. needs to be replaced: valve cover gasket, and the 3 radiator hoses (upper, and the lower that goes to the hard pipe, then the one between the hard pipe and the block). From mazda motorsports, this stuff is srsly cheap. I had my water pump go out unexpectedly on a Friday so I had to make do with NAPA parts (had a test and tune that I missed because of this and an event on Sunday). The first time it took some time as any job does the first time you do it. When I set the timing on the new engine it took about 15 minutes LOL

[thx712517]

I've already got two of the radiator hoses from when I put in my swaybar that never got around to getting installed. Is the Mazdaspeed Motorsports kit better than Flyin' Miata's?

[amaff]

I've already got two of the radiator hoses from when I put in my swaybar that never got around to getting installed. Is the Mazdaspeed Motorsports kit better than Flyin' Miata's?

Couldn't tell you what flyin' miata's has. The MMD kit has the belt and both pulleys. If I were a bettin' man I'd be willing to wager that the mazdaspeed kit's going to be cheaper lol

[RotorNutFD3S]

Yeah, even Rosenthal is cheaper than FM.
And this is definitely a job that you can accomplish by yourself or with a friend on a weekend. It's not that bad, it's just intimidating the first time around. :)

[adjake]

Sounds like a good get together install day so we can all learn from the more experienced. Did mine at 80000 (the cheater way) or so and it showed no sign that it would break any time soon. Stretched, maybe? No cracks or anything.

[metalman]

I think 100K is pushing it on the water pump, but 80-90K yeah no problem.

Oh horse****. :D I have never had a WP fail...and the ones I have seen fail have done so at way over 100k. You guys sound like m.netters! :lol:
The service interval on Cali cars is over 100k. You think the cars driven here are different? I dont think so. I have had one TB snap in tons of miles logged on Miatas...and that car had 150k on it, was a 1990 with original parts, and the car had sat for over 3 yrs in a bad climate for dry rot. Even then the WP was fine, but I replaced it anyway. Nearly every Miata timing belt I have inspected was perfect. Lack of use, time, and climate kills the TB before miles does. ;) But...if you want to change perfectly good belts on a NON interference engine just for fun, be my guest. But I wouldnt.

[thx712517]

Man, I must be betraying my Miata.net heritage! I better seek help before I go on a rant about Bilsteins or start planning an antique shop run...