# How fast do you suppose the rubber on a timing belt degrades at room temperature? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 19, 2017, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-fast-do-you-suppose-the-rubber-on-a-timing-belt-degrades-at-room-temperature/784768 "2017-04-19T03:34:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![SamuelA](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c77e96/32.png) [@SamuelA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SamuelA)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2017, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-fast-do-you-suppose-the-rubber-on-a-timing-belt-degrades-at-room-temperature/784768/21 "2017-04-20T16:56:25Z")
> [@Gary\_T](#): > > So, no oil seals\*. > > It’s possible to replace the front crankshaft seal, camshaft seal, and forward balance shaft seal when the timing belt is off. If they show no signs of leakage, I wouldn’t worry about them. If they show some seepage, they’ll probably be okay, but they will get worse, the question being how bad how soon. If they show significant leakage, it would be wise to replace them, as oil getting on a timing belt can deteriorate it rather quickly. Be advised that replacing these seals can sometimes be a bit tricky/challenging. Correct, no oil seals. It has had about 40-50k since they were last replaced, they should be fine. If they are not, and I see any seepage at all, I will order them next day from Amazon and replace them if the procedure seems manageable. Obviously, I’m not going to take any chances on a $20 part (or whatever they cost) given how much of a pain it is to get to this point. Yeah, I misspoke on the socket, and you just need a breaker bar. $13 at harbor freight. ---
**Author:** ![SamuelA](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c77e96/32.png) [@SamuelA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SamuelA)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2017, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-fast-do-you-suppose-the-rubber-on-a-timing-belt-degrades-at-room-temperature/784768/22 "2017-04-20T17:07:49Z")
Ok, having reviewed it, it’s $30 for genuine Honda replacements to the seal, and some kits include them. I will replace them as well if I can find out a good video showing how to do it. Apparently, there is also an oil seal retaining device that may or may not be already installed that can save you if the balance shaft seal tries to come out of place. (if it comes out, oil gushes out of the engine and soaks all the belts in the process) ---
**Author:** ![swampspruce](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampspruce/32/261_2.png) [@swampspruce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampspruce)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2017, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-fast-do-you-suppose-the-rubber-on-a-timing-belt-degrades-at-room-temperature/784768/23 "2017-04-20T19:23:03Z")
I think you’re making the right call in doing this. It should give you some peace of mind that the belt won’t be the thing that strands you halfway out on your trip. FWIW, I had to get a head gasket replaced on my Subaru which necessitated pulling the water pump, timing belt, and a bunch of other goodies. As it turns out the water pump had a minor leak and the timing belt (which I’d never had checked ) was slowly shredding itself at 95000 km. All up it was $2200 CAD for all the work but my car is happy, happy, happy. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2017, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-fast-do-you-suppose-the-rubber-on-a-timing-belt-degrades-at-room-temperature/784768/24 "2017-04-20T19:30:14Z")
When you do get the belt off, it’ll be interesting to see how the teeth look and how well it handles being bent in a reverse curve of the same radius: teeth out, flat side in. Please do keep us posted. ---
**Author:** ![saturncomet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecd19e/32.png) [@saturncomet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saturncomet)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2017, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-fast-do-you-suppose-the-rubber-on-a-timing-belt-degrades-at-room-temperature/784768/25 "2017-04-20T19:54:11Z")
Another consideration is air contaminants and smog and its effects on the belt. ALSO Storing a long time might have put a flat spot kink that needs to work out even if it were new-that might cause a break. Timing belts only cause major damage on breakage in some cars. My mechanic said some cars rely on the belt to prevent the piston from going in to far. ---
**Author:** ![SamuelA](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c77e96/32.png) [@SamuelA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SamuelA)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2017, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-fast-do-you-suppose-the-rubber-on-a-timing-belt-degrades-at-room-temperature/784768/26 "2017-04-20T20:34:46Z")
> [@saturncomet](#): > > Timing belts only cause major damage on breakage in some cars. My mechanic said some cars rely on the belt to prevent the piston from going in to far. This is one of those cars. If it snaps or enough teeth break, there is a significant chance the engine would be destroyed. (the damage costs as much to fix as installing a new aftermarket engine). If I screw up the replacement, same problem. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2017, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-fast-do-you-suppose-the-rubber-on-a-timing-belt-degrades-at-room-temperature/784768/27 "2017-04-20T22:05:10Z")
Make sure you turn the engine over several times by hand to make sure nothin’ goes “Crunch”. I’ve done a few of these so far, and If I can do it, so can you! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![SamuelA](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c77e96/32.png) [@SamuelA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SamuelA)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2017, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-fast-do-you-suppose-the-rubber-on-a-timing-belt-degrades-at-room-temperature/784768/28 "2017-06-17T18:34:45Z")
Well, I ran out of time to fix the problem. Ended up just taking the part kit to a mechanic. He installed the parts, also replaced the front brake rotors, adjusted the rear brakes, and fixed a problem with the driver’s side window being loose. (which means he disassembled the whole door). He also replaced all the other belts, including the one for the alternator, and installed the retaining bracket for the oil seals. $1300. Drove the car about 3000 miles since, it’s been running fine. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Nylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/77aa72/32.png) [@Mr.Nylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Nylock)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2017, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-fast-do-you-suppose-the-rubber-on-a-timing-belt-degrades-at-room-temperature/784768/29 "2017-06-17T18:40:49Z")
> [@Gary\_T](#): > > I don’t know just what kind of rubber is used, but the reinforcing strands are fiberglass. > > Ground level ozone acts to deteriorate the rubber; that’s where time is a factor. > > $900 strikes me as really high (where do you live?). I assume that includes replacing the water pump, front-of-engine oil seals, and possibly some other items. Those additional things might not be needed. > > If I knew the year, model, submodel (EX, DX, etc.), and engine size I might be able to shed some more light on the situation. Depending on the car, that is not high at all - do some online research and ask some mechanics. I had mine done a week ago and I was happy it only cos a little more than $900. And that’s without the seals. ---
**Author:** ![race\_to\_the\_bottom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c4cdca/32.png) [@race\_to\_the\_bottom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/race_to_the_bottom)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2017, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-fast-do-you-suppose-the-rubber-on-a-timing-belt-degrades-at-room-temperature/784768/30 "2017-06-18T02:27:23Z")
What was the condition of the belt? ---
**Author:** ![SamuelA](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c77e96/32.png) [@SamuelA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SamuelA)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2017, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-fast-do-you-suppose-the-rubber-on-a-timing-belt-degrades-at-room-temperature/784768/31 "2017-06-18T04:11:34Z")
> [@race\_to\_the\_bottom](#): > > What was the condition of the belt? No idea :(. Wasn’t there when it was changed. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2017, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-fast-do-you-suppose-the-rubber-on-a-timing-belt-degrades-at-room-temperature/784768/32 "2017-06-18T14:58:49Z")
\*Always \*ask for the parts back. Not because you don’t trust the mechanic, but because you want to learn. ---
**Author:** ![Weisshund](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ba8739/32.png) [@Weisshund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weisshund)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2017, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-fast-do-you-suppose-the-rubber-on-a-timing-belt-degrades-at-room-temperature/784768/33 "2017-06-18T18:49:31Z")
Just to chime in The belt is exposed to high heat. It might get 200+ degrees under that timing belt cover and on the crank gear face etc. It is exposed to constant tension. And it is exposed to other things that degrade rubber besides UV light. And the teeth in the belt are rubber. Yes i do know that the belts do tend to last longer than the recommendation, but the belt is only designed to last that long, anything past that is a freebie. If it was a non interference head, id say take you chances on getting a tow, but since your engine can self destruct itself just due to an old belt, you may want to bite the bullet and have it changed, or take the adventure yourself. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2017, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-fast-do-you-suppose-the-rubber-on-a-timing-belt-degrades-at-room-temperature/784768/34 "2017-06-18T19:34:27Z")
@ **Weisshund** : Psst. See post #28. The work’s been done months ago. ---
**Author:** ![Weisshund](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ba8739/32.png) [@Weisshund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weisshund)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2017, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-fast-do-you-suppose-the-rubber-on-a-timing-belt-degrades-at-room-temperature/784768/35 "2017-06-18T19:39:41Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > @ **Weisshund** : Psst. See post #28. The work’s been done months ago. DOh!:smack: ---
**Author:** ![race\_to\_the\_bottom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c4cdca/32.png) [@race\_to\_the\_bottom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/race_to_the_bottom)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2017, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-fast-do-you-suppose-the-rubber-on-a-timing-belt-degrades-at-room-temperature/784768/36 "2017-06-20T20:53:31Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > \*Always \*ask for the parts back. Not because you don’t trust the mechanic, but because you want to learn. Absolutely. I have been following this thread because I have a 2001 Honda Civic with 50k miles which is considered WAY overdue timewise, and hoped that the OP would have some info when he examined his old belt. In any regard, I DO plan to have it done for about $600. I know I am courting disaster here. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-fast-do-you-suppose-the-rubber-on-a-timing-belt-degrades-at-room-temperature/784768.md?page=1)