Timing Belt Inspection

[2007Aveo]

Is there an "easy" way to inspect the timing belt? We just purchased an 07 Aveo with 60,000 miles. I plan on replacing the belt before sending my son off to college in the car, but was hoping I could check the belt to see if I can wait til later in the summer or if I need to get it done sooner.



Thanks

[thehunterooo]

Honestly, there really is no way to check it. You can look at the belt and it can look new, but the pullies can also break with the same effects. I would just change it without even looking at it, it was not changed most likely. I am sure you can find a place to do it for $500~ (belt, pullies, water pump), I would also change the sep belt as well while you are at it.

You should be safe till the end of summer though (no promises), if you put on more than 1k-2k miles, then I would feel safer to have it changed. Besides that, you and your son should have a very good car for school (or the next 60k miles), I wish him luck!

Welcome btw!

[2007Aveo]

Thanks for the welcome!

He is going to school 3 hours away so I definately need to make sure everything is good before he goes.

[thehunterooo]

Yeah, besides the timing belt, I think everything else should be fine.

[2007Aveo]

Just got the car back. Had the timing belt, water pump, idler pulley and tensioner done. Mechanic saw the serpentine belt was starting to crack so he went ahead and replaced it since he was in there anyway. Hopefully we're good for another 60,000 miles.I looked at the old belt and it didn't look too bad, no cracks or missing teeth.

[Daox]

I must have missed this thread, sorry for the late reply. But, for the others... You can remove the upper timing belt cover and take a look at the belt's condition to see if its starting to crack, loose teeth, etc. Of course its always your safest bet to just replace it at the recommended interval.

[chrisu91]

I'm currently at 104,000km (64k+ miles) and have yet to get the timing belt done. 2000km ago in May I had it in to get replaced however they found some "safety issues" that needed to be addressed. $1300 later and they didn't replace the timing belt. I did ask them, however, to take a look at its condition and see whether it was in dire need of replacement or not. They said it should be good for another 10 to 15,000km. I hope to have it replaced by the end of the month (dealer quoted around $450).

[reva]

I'm currently at 104,000km (64k+ miles) and have yet to get the timing belt done. 2000km ago in May I had it in to get replaced however they found some "safety issues" that needed to be addressed. $1300 later and they didn't replace the timing belt. I did ask them, however, to take a look at its condition and see whether it was in dire need of replacement or not. They said it should be good for another 10 to 15,000km. I hope to have it replaced by the end of the month (dealer quoted around $450).

what did they charge you the $1300 for??

[chrisu91]

They replaced my subframe, both front control arms, both front sway bar links & did an alignment.

[chrisu91]

Finally had my timing belt replaced. Dealer originally quoted $420 before tax including parts and labour. They get the belt on and find that when pressure tested there was a leak from the water pump O ring so they went ahead and replaced that too.