Timing Belt Age

[zak]

I have started looking around for a timing belt, and the newest I've seen on Evilbay are manufacturing dates of 2005. The last Ford timing belt I bought had a date of 1999.

Per the link below, quoting guidance from Gates:

""Timing Belt when properly stored is good as new up to 8 years. Life expectancy is reduced 10% per year for every year thereafter."

Timing Belt Shelf Life?

So looking at Gates recommendations about shelf life of a timing belt they say this? "Timing Belt when properly stored is good as new up to 8 years. Life expectancy is reduced 10% per year for every year thereafter." With that said I'm concerned how old the stock of NSX timing belts out...

www.nsxprime.com

I know those of us with stock cams don't have interference engines. Don't think we ever heard of actual timing belt failures during the SHOtimes era, but think there have been a couple of reports on this board.

Thoughts? Anyone buy a belt recently? Date code on it? Manufacturing date on the box?

 

[Irish Pride]

I'm at the point now where I consider the timing belt a lifetime part. I have a few Gates belts sitting on the shelf for future use if needed but I've never seen or heard of one actually breaking. I always look the belt over really good for wear or cracks but the last few water pumps I've done I just put the old belt back on. The only time I can ever remember needing to replace a belt was because one of the ribs had a small chunk missing. Could have been like that for who knows how long though.

-Chad

 

[thegreatbriguy]

I'm at the point now where I consider the timing belt a lifetime part. I have a few Gates belts sitting on the shelf for future use if needed but I've never seen or heard of one actually breaking. I always look the belt over really good for wear or cracks but the last few water pumps I've done I just put the old belt back on. The only time I can ever remember needing to replace a belt was because one of the ribs had a small chunk missing. Could have been like that for who knows how long though.

-Chad

I agree with this. They are basically never bad. I wouldn't be afraid of an older one from the shelf if you want a "new" one on there

 

[Eric B]

I replaced mine every 60,000 miles and no problems. It takes 4 hours. Mine has 190,000 miles.

 

[Blk89]

Perhaps their comments are just designed to sell more belts?