PLEASE help! Timing belt cost, advice

[Runner27]

Timing belts however have a much shorter life expectancy then a timing chain. A chain should easily last 250k miles. The longest belt I've heard of is 100k miles. So if you're like most people who buy new cars...you'll never have to worry about replacing a timing chain..but might have to fork over a few hundred for a timing belt change.

Thanks for the info. I have the timing chain in my engine, however, in what is called "passport to maintenance" (or something like that) it says that I have to change my timing belt at 90k miles. I guess that does not apply for timing chain?

 

[MikeInNH]

Thanks for the info. I have the timing chain in my engine, however, in what is called "passport to maintenance" (or something like that) it says that I have to change my timing belt at 90k miles. I guess that does not apply for timing chain?

V6 - timing chain.
V8 -Timing belt.

So if you have the V6 (like I do) then you don't have to worry about it for a long time.

You can shorten the life of a timing chain by not keeping up with oil changes. And a timing chain should start making noise before it'll slip a tooth (usually a few months before). This will give you time to either sell the vehicle or replace the chain. And this is an interference engine.....if the chain slips even one tooth...it could serious engine damage.