"new" timing belt age question

[gr8skyr]

Doing my timing belt next week. But here's my question...how do I tell how old my "new" timing belt is. I know these have a use by date of 4 years or 50,000 miles. But does that clock start after it's installed ( not likely), or after mfg. date?

How do I know I won't be throwing something that's been sitting somewhere for a decade in there??

Thanks!

[jlevie]

The belt has a service life of 5yr/60k. Derating that to 4yr/50k adds a safety margin. That clock starts when the belt is installed.

While I suppose it could be possible to purchase a decades old belt. If you buy the belt from a dealer or any major parts house the chances of that are nil. Their sales volume is too high for the parts to have sat on the shelf that long.

[dnguyen1963]

You worry too much, man...just get one from Blunt.

[jeffnhiscars]

All the Conti belts I buy have a production date on them