Had wife get quotes from a few shops. Honest Accurate quoted 1200-2k depending on make and model (!?)
Had wife get quotes from a few shops. Honest Accurate quoted 1200-2k depending on make and model (!?)
Where is Zteknik when you need him??
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"I am a conservative. Quite possibly I am on the losing side; often I think so. Yet, out of a curious perversity I had rather lose with Socrates, let us say, than win with Lenin."
― Russell Kirk, Author of The Conservative Mind
Gregor's Motor Works - family has used them for decades.
"Owning a handgun doesn't make you armed any more than owning a guitar makes you a musician." - Col. Jeff Cooper
I was just coming to write that I contacted the former owner and asked if/when he'd had it changed so I could better gauge actual need (was basing on typical service timelines). I took off the inspection cover off and frankly, I don't see that it *needs* to be changed -- no cracks or obvious damage. Looks pretty good. He said he thinks it was around 210k miles, but he can't remember because he did one montero and not the other and doesn't recall now which one. Current mileage is ~238k
Thoughts, based on picture?
Just judging off that picture it looks ok. Really have to look at the ribbed side underneath for cracks separations and or stretching. Usually when the belt wears yo can see a line developing on the outer edges, like white thread starting to show- that's when you definitely need to change it. I don't remember if the mitsu is an interference engine or not meaning the tolerances are so tight that if it does go out the valves hit the piston. I'd have to look that up.
FHUGETABOUDIT!!!
According to this PDF, if I'm reading it right, it is an interference engine: http://www.gates.com/~/media/files/g...uide.pdf?la=en
1999 3.5 V6 takes a t287 cam belt and is marked with a star, which should indicate interference.
Another option, since it's at a fairly high mileage engine, is to just drive the thing til it goes and replace the whole engine with one that has way less miles. Aside from the massive PITA that is, is there a mechanical consideration I'm not aware of which would say that's a bad idea?
Yea it would be a bad idea to drive it till it breaks- busts up a whole bunch of stuff. Finding a lower mileage engine is a good option. But if this one runs good and the compression is good keep it running till it starts giving you troubles.
FHUGETABOUDIT!!!
The belt on my Amigo looked similar, but I changed it anyway.
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