I just bought a 93 GXE with 17,000 original miles. I was talking to one of my buddies here recently and he said the timing belt on his 91 300ZX lasts 5 years or ???? miles. He advised me to get my timing belt changed. I've always heard change the belts around 60,000 mile intervals, but I've never heard 5 years. I'd hate to have to pay to get it changed with such low miles, but I don't want it to break either. Have any of you had experience with this, or have any knowledge you want to share? Thanks in advance.

 

Corrct me if I'm wrong, but stock from the factory (original belt) life is 60,000 miles. Replacements last 100,000 miles. I am not sure about actual years, I don't know if they wear out with time, but...

you can't be too safe with timing belts! When in question, get it done.

BTW...that sounds like crazy talk, only 17,000 miles original. Are you sure it's not on a rebuilt engine? That car's not even broke in yet. What did you have to pay?

 

Yeah, I'm sure it's not a rebuilt engine. I found an elderly gentlemen who had bought the car brand new, and got sick soon after he bought the car. The car then became a "grocery-getter" for his wife. I ran a complete carfax on it that showed all inspection dates and mileage at the inspection. No mileage rollbacks and only a little over 1000 mi/yr. The car was in immaculate condition, non-smoker, and it is completely loaded. It had been garaged the entire time, so it looked great (it also came with a nice car cover, which I checked out and could tell it had barely been used....so i figured he wasn't lying about it being garaged). The guy knew it was in great condition, so he was asking 11,000 for it. I told him that was ridiculous and I made an equally ridiculous (low) offer. He was pretty pi$$ed about it and said he wouldn't take less than 10,500. Anyways, after he cooled down (hahaha) he called me back about a day or so later and we talked and I ended up getting the car for around 9500.....it's still a little high, but i'd rather pay a little more for a car with super-low miles and in mint condition than a newer car with high miles and in worse shape (like many of the other cars i looked at!). The car truly looks like it just came off the showroom floor, even the engine is spotless! I had looked at many other cars and even though this one was a little pricier than what I hoped the guy would come down to, I figured it would be the best buy. What do you think, would you have gone for it too?

P.S. My roomate has a 91 GXE and he's got 181,000 trouble-free miles on his......still runs like a dream (no smoke, no problems)! That was another influencing factor that made me get this car.

Yeah, i've heard 60,000 also, but nothing about years??? Anyone else heard any different. Help me out here guys. Thanks!

 

my dad has a 97 galant ,bought it new ,he works in the city so he takes his old lexus .the galant only has 23000 miles . it sits in the garage a lot and when i drive it sometimes its sluggish..so i advise you to take that car and give it some good highway miles

 

dude $17,000 miles?? That's awesome. I got way way way way plus a new tranny more than you

 

60000 miles on replacements as well. If there is fluid on it you should replace it just in case. No need to kill the car over a bad belt.

 

So you're saying I should get the timing belt changed at 17,000?? Man, that ain't cool! I didn't think I would have to do anything to such a low mileage car. What would you guys do with a 93 GXE with 17,000...??? Feedback is appreciated!

 

My manual say 60,000 miles and doesn't spec. the age. Rubber tends to crack with age, heat and oxygen exposure. I had my changed last year with 60,000 miles. The all the belts looked brand new. If it were my car, I would likely change them all or have the belts inspected, but my mech. always says the parts on my car look good unless they broke. As for new belts lasting 90,000 that's only on the ones with a special groved wheel and belt. I think they came out only on or after late 93 version. Call the dealer with the Maxima's SS to find out if it has the new design and can take the new longer life belts (my 93 counldn't). $9500 is a great deal.

 

Cars made after 7/93 have belts good for 100k miles, all others 60k miles. I wouldn't worry about age. I have a 90GXE, 45k miles original belt.

 

Rubber can and will crack with age. I do know that on the NSX that Acura states 5 years or 60k miles so I believe there is something to replacing it. That being said, I doubt you will have issues with it, however it would be very good insurance to go ahead and replace it anyway. Basically if you do it yourself it shouldn't cost much and honestly it's not very hard to do. Also you could get away with just replacing the belt which even if you go OEM is only about $40 - $50. The total cost if you are looking to do it yourself would be probably only be ~$60.

Good luck,

 

Like Brian stated, change the belt!

Rubber deteriorates and breaks down with age -> 5-6 years or 60,000 miles. Why risk the engine?

FYI, the t-belt on my Max was changed over 2 years ago. The POS snapped, bending 18 valves It CAN and WILL happen at any time or age, it just sucks mine went after 2 years (only ~ 14,000 miles).

 

I have an 89 w/208,000 miles. I changed my first one at 107,000. My experience is the fan belts and the timing belt age alike. I would check the fan belts for cracks and looseness. If the fan belts don't look good then change the timing belt too.

At some point, they switched over to a chain and I wish I could remember how to look that up.
Good luck,

Tom

 

Maxine has 91,000 on her and I am already planning to change the belt. Like they said, rubber tends to deteriorate with age and you really don't want to take a chance with messing up your motor. I'd rather pay the $900 now than $2700+ later.

 

Ok here is the specs Prior to 1994 the timing belts
have service of 5 years 60,000mi replacements have the
same interval ( 1989-1994 max T-Belt NISSAN part#
13028-85E86) after 1994 timing belt have a life span
of 100,000mi ( they have larger cogs on the belt
NISSAN part# 13028-0B785)

 

Is this a joke? Yes, buddy, you were right to go for it. You just bought, for all intents and purposes, a new Maxima for $9500. Those folks were just breaking it in for you, and they paid you to do it.