Timing belt service for the V6... urgent advice needed..

[chuky]

Hello folks,

I need a bit of help here... when getting the 55k timing belt service for a V6 done, has the mechanic ever said anything about a tensioning kit for the timing belt???

I do trust the mechanic in as much as he's never tried to fleece me
before but i was just wondering how necessary this is??

Have ye simply had the timing belts replaced or did ye go the
tensioner route as well???

While on the subject do you know if anyone else does this "tensioning
kit" other than mazda who we all know by now will charge heavily for
it...

This is semi-urgent so any help/advice would be appreciated...

Thanks in advance, Cahal

[burvixen]

Dont know of the v6 but they usually replace the tensioner and belt together on some cars (BMW ) even the waterpump when they do the timing belt..........Had a old 325i 5 years ago lovely vehicle totalled it though.

[sirex]

Yes, there's no point replacing just the belt and then having the tensioner go in another 5,00km. It's preventative maintenance, it might not never go, but its something not worth risking cause it would be the equivalent of the timming belt going (I think?). The tensioner is probably $150nz so 50 pounds or so, what did the mechanic quote you?

[chuky]

quoted me around €300. thats over 500 Aus dollars and around £220 English pounds i believe...
The mechanic is a cousin so I'm not being ripped off by him, Anything over here that can only be obtained through mazda the really charge for...
Cheers for the advice anyways...
Cahal

[***G***]

Originally Posted by chuky

Hello folks,

I need a bit of help here... when getting the 55k timing belt service for a V6 done, has the mechanic ever said anything about a tensioning kit for the timing belt???

I do trust the mechanic in as much as he's never tried to fleece me
before but i was just wondering how necessary this is??

Have ye simply had the timing belts replaced or did ye go the
tensioner route as well???

While on the subject do you know if anyone else does this "tensioning
kit" other than mazda who we all know by now will charge heavily for
it...

This is semi-urgent so any help/advice would be appreciated...

Thanks in advance, Cahal

Hey chucky,
ive just done the timing belt on my BA along with the tensioner bearing and the idler bearing.They usually dont give trouble but if there worn they HAVE to be replaced as without them your engine is ****ed cos the belt wont turn.dont get the parts from mazda main dealer my local motor factors here in Cork ordered them down from Dublin at a fraction of what mazda wanted.I paid 58 euros(mazda@70) for 125 tooth belt.42 euros(mazda@130) for tensioner bearing and 28 euros(mazda@80) for idler bearing.your better off replacing the idler along with the tensioner bearing..

[Aaron]

Yeah you wouldn't want to have a tensioner that started shredding up your new belt.

The rationale behind changing things liek the water pump at the same time is becuase to get to the timing belt usually you end up removing or almost removing them just to get to the timing belt. so for the smaller parts outlay you labour is already paid for. Removes chances of points of failure later downt eh track although can add hundreds to the bills.

I've only had one car that I owned long enough to get near the belt interval and that was changed 60K km short! *laughs* mind you when it got done I had the waterpump, oil pump and tensionsers all checked for wear and ongoing durability and refitted... I wasn't paying the bill though Nice when you get head work done under warrantyf or the cost of a timing belt thanks to an oil leak

A.