How to tell about timing belt condition?

[5spoke]

Hey guys, I bought an 89 325i convertible a few weeks back. When I bought it from the guy he told me that he just replaced the timing belt. I am a little bit worried whether he told me the truth or not. Is there any good way to visually tell how worn the belt is? I really dont want to have the thing break and kill the engine.

[aschmidt]

Just take a good look at it. You can see if it's extremely worn and/or tearing around the edges.

[erik325i]

Just take a good look at it. You can see if it's extremely worn and/or tearing around the edges.

You should not wait until you can see a worn or damaged belt. If you can see any wear or tears, you're probably already past due.

If you are unsure of it, replace it anyways.

-Erik

[e30lyf]

You should not wait until you can see a worn or damaged belt. If you can see any wear or tears, you're probably already past due.

If you are unsure of it, replace it anyways.

-Erik

+2

[5spoke]

I actually bought the car off a guy who was a member of this forum. His name on here is "Willsol" or something like that. The car definetaly needs work, but I am hoping to get her back to top shape. heres a few pics.

[thereisnoyun]

replace it

its a good start to learn to diy your car. Do it soon, if there is no record. Also check under the fuse box, sometimes people put the sticker of when they change the belt there.

[Alecs MacDonald]

"If there is any doubt, then there is no doubt" it needs to be replaced. Congrats on the purchase.

[5spoke]

I checked the timing belt today. From what I can tell it looks new. The stamp on it that says "Made in Germany....random other things" Is bright yellow still, and there is no visible wear marks.

[delatlanta1281]

its a good start to learn to diy your car. Do it soon, if there is no record. Also check under the fuse box, sometimes people put the sticker of when they change the belt there.

I agree, it isn't too expensive to do, you will need to do the water pump too. I can't believe there isnt a receipt or anything. I keep all my shit and a member would do the same. Sounds scetchy to me.

[sirsteezo]

I checked the timing belt today. From what I can tell it looks new. The stamp on it that says "Made in Germany....random other things" Is bright yellow still, and there is no visible wear marks.

you bought this car off of vadriven, right? im a member on there as well. Yea I had the same question before about my timing belt...no sticker, no indication but I did find paper work from the previous owner on when he ordered/installed the part, luckyly everything is good to go. I also did what you did...looked at it, no visible marks of being torn, or damaged. im surprised the guy ended up selling it...he was iffy about selling it.

[LivingLegend06]

I agree, it isn't too expensive to do, you will need to do the water pump too. I can't believe there isnt a receipt or anything. I keep all my shit and a member would do the same. Sounds scetchy to me.

I keep most of my receipts but I have lost a receipt or two before so it is understandable. I'm not even sure why keeping receipts is necessary is for me, I don't ever plan to sell the car, EVER.

[delatlanta1281]

I like to keep it so I can go through it and cry a little.
For me with four cars I can't remember when I did half the shit, so I keep everything for each car. Granted my e30 doesn't get driven that much, it's still nice to have.

[rodrigo]

It's your call...know when it was done or leave it hanging. The cost to change the timing belt is much less than what would cost to repair the motor if it broke, so I would replace the timing belt, water pump and gasket, tensioner, all of the shaft seals and lower seal carrier plate gasket, accessory belts and start off with a base for future repairs. Address everything in there and forget about it for a while...most of all that mentioned stuff comes off anyway to replace the belt.

Mine looked OK, but when I removed it and arced it in the opposite way from how it sits on the gears, I could see splits on the belt teeth, some fraying fabric on the ends...looked OK when I took the covers off.

At worst, you will know when to replace it next if you do it now, and sleep well at night.

:)

[5spoke]

you bought this car off of vadriven, right? im a member on there as well. Yea I had the same question before about my timing belt...no sticker, no indication but I did find paper work from the previous owner on when he ordered/installed the part, luckyly everything is good to go. I also did what you did...looked at it, no visible marks of being torn, or damaged. im surprised the guy ended up selling it...he was iffy about selling it.

I actually bought the car off craig's list. I was looking for an e30 and it was advertised about 10 minutes from my house, so I went and checked it out.


I am probably just going to go ahead and replace it, as well as replace any other things I can to prevent any typical future issues. This car is not my DD so I will be slowly rescuing it from its life of neglect. I need to drive it home this weekend and then I will start the process of revival!

Thanks for the help guys!

[nando]

if there's any question about the timing belt condition, just replace it. a timing belt kit is about $30, and another $30 or so for a waterpump and thermpostat. then you need some non-phosporous coolant and a couple hours of your time.