i changed my at 70 only because the water pump went bad but if it did not go bad i woukld have did it at 75. remember the better you take care of your car the longer its gonna last

 

Five years or 60,000.......... Really???

I just bought my 2001 225hp TT coupe with only 21k miles, a month ago. Do I really need to consider having the TB changed at this time?

 

^ same question, she's a 2002 225CQ with 20.0XX on the odo.

 

Timing belt replacement is based on mileage, not time. It is a good idea to check your timing belt from time to time. Warrantys are mileage or time. Very few maintenance items include time. I can only think of brake fluid.

 

This is misinformation and is the kind of answer that causes confusion.
We are all so tired of seeing this question, that no one noticed it. Replacement is based on mileage. It would be rediculous to think if I had the car in storage for several years, that the timing belt should be changed. It is easy enough to check the belt periodically for wear.

 

Whew! Thanks for clearing that up. I feel better now.

I suspected that was the case, which is why I was surprised by the statement that included TIME.
Tks again!

 

If its not stored well or parked outside and rarely driven the belt alone with other rubber parts like vac lines can rot. But like you said, its still should be checked before driven if its been sitting for a period of time.

 

Actually, most of the timing belt failures are the result of failed tensioners. I'm not sure wear is an issue. The imminent failure may not be apparent.

 

The 3 causes are the tensioner like you said and the others are blown water pump and skipping teeth. The tensioner slipping is probably about 1/2 the failures if not a little more with the other 2 splitting the rest of the TB issues.

The pump should have some tell tell signs before it causes massive damage and you can kind of check for a worn belt to prevent skipping teeth.

 

Of course wear is an issue. Inspect belt for: Seperation - Chunking - Oil/Grease Contamination - Missing/Damaged cogs - Tension - Cracking - Wear on edges - Fraying. Tensioner should be inspected also.