When to Replace Timing Belt

[georgiapt]

Couldn't find this in my manual or on the Timing discussion. My 2003 p.t. has 64,000 mi..... when does the timing belt need changing? Thanks.

[white]

Think the book says 110,000 Miles but maybe 90,000 is safer.

[CREWZIN]

90-100,000 is safer. Most change it with the water pump, tensioner, serpentine and alternator belt.

[Knotsobright1]

Yea my PT has 66,000 and its getting all new water pump, belt tensioner, etc. They sell it as a kit now.

[chris15]

Knotsobright, just out of curiosity-- can you give us some figures on the actual cost of the kit itself? I've read anywhere from $800-$1,400.. depends on where you go, I guess.

[white]

$800 to $1300 is about right. I paid about $1150 which included cam shaft seals. Dealer (which is gone now) wanted $300 more. Don't think it had anything to do with the timing belt job but my check eng light was on and off for a year and after the timing belt job it never comes on anymore.

[schairung]

hi. chris
i see your car pic.... nice bumper. look clean and there is no infect like pale area.....(i dont know what it's call )
i have pale area at front and rear bumper....pale area like plaster or tape

how to clean it or make it nice?

Thanks

[CREWZIN]

White,

Dealer found my camshaft seals leaking but only charged me $16 for parts and added half hour labor to put them in since they were in the middle of the timing belt change. No wonder your dealer is gone.

Schairung,

I just saw Chris's car the other day. The bumper does look good. The marks your talking about are Tape Marks from tape used by the manufacturer to protect the front end when shipping. Back in 2001 and 02 the dealer would have fixed both bumpers if the customer complained but of course it's too late now. Hopefully Chris be come along and tell you what he used to bring the bumpers back to new condition.

[chris15]

Schairung,

First off, thank you! Now, onto your problem.. Yes, the 'tape marks' are quite unsightly, and both you and I missed the bandwagon to have Chrysler repaint them for us.

You should also be aware that if you're like me, you'll finish your front bumper and realize that your trim pieces (front splash guard and rear splash guards) don't match your bumper colors. You'll probably want to recoat them too. If you have a Haynes manual, it'll tell you how to remove them, but if not, let me know and I'll help you.

So, to do this, you'll need a couple things:

• Masking tape
• Newspaper
• Duplicolor Bumper Coating
• Duplicolor Adhesion Promoter
• Dish soap
• Bucket of water with sponge

The bumper coating I found at Autozone, but should also be carried at Advance Auto Parts of Pep Boys. I tried Walmart initially, but they don't carry it. They coating comes in either gray, black or white. I went with black. It will explicitly state on the front of the can 'Bumper Coating'. Don't buy anything else. It HAS to be this product.

Also at Autozone/Advance/Pep Boys, you should find a Duplicolor product called Adhesion Promoter. It's got a clear cap. Not primer or anything else, it HAS to be 'Adhesion Promoter'.

Here's how the job works:

1. Mix the dish soap in a bucket of water, clean your bumper (you will want to do each one separately) and allow it to air dry.
2. You will want to use the masking tape to tape off the edges of your body panels along the front bumper. After you've done the edges, go ahead and use the newspaper and another 'edge' of masking tape on top of the tape you've already applied to ensure that there's a good seal. How far you go with the newspaper and masking tape is up to you but beware of the effects of overspray.. and also keep in mind, as any painter will tell you.. the amount of time you spend in prep will determine the quality of your end result. Expect to spend a LOT of time masking things off. Ensure you mask off your reverse lights and also the light bulb that's located above your license plate.
3. Apply your Adhesion Promoter. You typically don't want to do this in temperatures exceeding 85 degrees F and high humidity. It will take 3 coats, with about 2-3 minutes between each coat.
4. After the last coat of Adhesion Promoter, allow it to dry for about 2-3 minutes and then apply you first coat of the Bumper Coating. You're now done with the Adhesion Promoter. You'll want to apply your first coat of Bumper Coating in somewhat of a 'mist'. Allow it to dry for about 5-10 minutes. Between coats you can also use a CLEAN microfiber cloth or cheese cloth to remove any bugs, dust, etc that gets stuck in your paint.
5. Apply your second coat, making sure you're applying the paint equally. Repeat this step again, but do not use more than 4 coats, as the paint will most likely run. If you choose to, you can also apply more paint to the 'tape marks' on your bumper, but be sure to fade the paint to get an 'even' appearance. (You don't want deep, triple black near your 'tape marks' and a lighter black/gray over the rest of the bumper-- discoloration is what you're trying to remove)
6. After you're done, allow the paint to fully cure for at least 5 days before you wash, wax or detail your car.

Then, enjoy!
If you have any more questions, like I said, let us know.

Here's a before/after pic:




Crewzin, sorry for the thread hijack but I figured it'd be a useful resource for people. If you want, I can remove it afterwards, or you can sticky it somewhere or I can copy, paste and Private Message it to him and delete this post so the thread stays on-topic.

[CREWZIN]

It's fine where it is Chris. I might copy it and make a sticky on a thread of it's own, if you don't mind in the exterior section.