help me decide how old this timing belt is (pic)

[2.5-12]

rofl!!!!!!

coolant can and does age. this does change the hue as well.

[sohc12vm20]

Looks about time to replace it!

[Atreus]

why don't you pull the belt and give it a full visual inspection? upload pics too, we need to make an educated decision here. (if you're driving it less than 50 miles, like you stated earlier, then why the huge concern?)

and rofl @ fredk's how old does it look post. hahahahahha

[Iain]

I could only stomach reading 1.5 pages of this drivel, so forgive me if I am flogging a dead horse.

I forgot the R3V was all flame and no real use, It was of course my fault for posting a question that made me genuinely curious here.

You are asking a completely retarded question - how can you not see this? One person comparing a shoddy, tiny pic of one tiny part of a timing belt is useless when they don't know how long its been on the car, how the engine has been treated and how it compares with other M20s in vastly different cars in vastly different parts of the world.

You could get someone stating it is fine to reuse, going by that pic, which might well be true. However, the belt could crack and snap within the next 200km. I'm sure you'd then come back on here, spraying fire out your cock because R3v gave you bad adivce. If you know R3v and the way it operates, you should also know timing belts - no matter which manufacturer's engine they're put on - are a non-servicable item. Replace it, you gypsy tip rat.

I eagerly await your long-winded, overly wordy reply that I'll ignore.

[2.5-12]

I think everyone is trying to tell you that you can't go by looks ;)

My car has it's original spare, looks like a brand new tire, but would you drive on it? I did, for several months, then put it back in the trunk when I got a new tire haha!

to a certain extent, you are correct.

I agree age is just as important.

there are 647 jelly beans in that timing belt.

What do i win?

a pair of eyes?

[Stephen]

there are 647 jelly beans in that timing belt.

What do i win?

[ForcedFirebird]

I do it more frequently than that, this question was: estimate the mileage on the pictured belt.

I think everyone is trying to tell you that you can't go by looks ;)

My car has it's original spare, looks like a brand new tire, but would you drive on it? I did, for several months, then put it back in the trunk when I got a new tire haha!

[2.5-12]

I replace belts 60k miles or 5-years. Whichever comes first.

I do it more frequently than that, this question was: estimate the mileage on the pictured belt.

[ForcedFirebird]

how old does the coolant look?

rofl!!!!!!

[2.5-12]

Then just drain it into a bucket and refill the system. I find using mom's old hosiery a sufficient method of straining out impurities when I reuse coolant. Avoid ones with big runs.

I shall have to go and buy a new catch pan -- all mine are contaminated with oil/ps/brake fluid

good tip though, thanks!

[Aptyp]

I replace belts 60k miles or 5-years. Whichever comes first.

[FredK]

Then just drain it into a bucket and refill the system. I find using mom's old hosiery a sufficient method of straining out impurities when I reuse coolant. Avoid ones with big runs.

[nando]

and in the amount of time you have wasted debating this on an internet forum, you could have replaced the t-belt.

lol!

[2.5-12]

How old does the coolant look?

it looks good, I don't see any signs of impurity or breakdown and it smells lemony.

[FredK]

How old does the coolant look?