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Well, congratulations! You have just won the following bet:
Timing belt replacement - $400 (probably less)
Engine repair if timing belt breaks - $4,000 (probably more)
Not bad, it's 10 to 1. I wouldn't play this game myslef and bend right over :) I guess your stomach is stronger than mine as far as risk is concerned. The fact that the belt interval of 70K miles is on the conservative side doesn't suprpise me at all. In fact, being an engineer myself, I would be surprised if this wasn't the case. However, I as a consumer would not bet 10 to 1 to find out just when the belt would snap. Not on the interference engine such as the one in our 850-based cars. The fact the belt LOOKED good means absolutely nothing as belts mot often do not show signs of wear - they fatugue on the inside where you can't see. So, youmay feel good as you should because you won a 10 to 1 bet, but I would not advise my fellow bricksters to do the same unless a $4,000 repair and serious down time doesn't bother them.
Here's the savings if you keep the car for 1,000,000 miles:
following the 70K mile interval you would need 14 T-belt changes - that adds up to $5,600
If you extend to 120K miles (SCARY!), you would need 8 T-belt changes - that adds up to $3,200 for the grand total of $2,400 saving over 1 million miles! Now, if one of those times your belt does go, well you are out a lot! Not for me, I'll spend the extra money for the peace of mind.
So, BS or not, it is still good policy to follow recomended intervals for major maintanace, even if they are on a revenue-generating (read: conservative) side. The savings aren't worth it IMO. Otherwise none of us would buy any kind of insurance, since that's PURE BS if nothing happens :)
Again, congrats, but please, be aware of the numbers when you are pushing the timing belt. It is just not worth the risk.
Cheers!
--
Vladimir. '98 S70 base, 5-speed manual - his, '93 945 - hers,
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