We definitely have strong opinions here. I'm a very analytical person and I like to have some reasoning behind what I'm told. I just can't take all of this as the gospel on timing belts. I'm trying to figure out exactly how the passage of time has an effect on the elastomeric fibres of a timing belt. And let's get real here....exactly how old do you think that new belt I just had installed is? If time is more important than the stress of mileage then I might as well set up my appointment right now and you guys better be doing the same. I'm also trying to figure out what miracle took place between 1996 and 1997 that it's all right to push the belt another year from six years to seven. It's the same belt fellas! It's also now on a more powerful engine which should stress the belt a little more don't you think?
Let's take two hypotheticals here. In the first, we have a 1991 NSX driven 2000 miles per week. The guy lives a long way from work. He hits 90,000 miles before the year is up. His belt is certainly stretched to it's design limit so by all means let's change the belt. Now the second is a guy, let's say someone like Jay Leno, who bought his 1991 NSX and immediately put it in the garage and has never driven it. Are we to believe because the car is now eighteen years old he shouldn't drive it because timing belt failure is eminent? And once again, I have to ask, HOW OLD IS THE "NEW" BELT?
There may not be any way of knowing what exactly led to the few failures we have heard about on this forum, but I'm guessing there may be more to the failure than the belt just giving up. After examining my water pump and idler pulley, I would be far more concerned with how long the bearings in those items last than the integrity of the belt. If either of those items cease up, the belt will burn up for sure. The belt will stretch with normal use and stretch alot more with abuse. That is a far more determining factor of belt failure than the passage of time. The belt doesn't stretch just sitting there with no load, so again I have to ask, how does the passage of time effect this belt? If you say the elements will effect it, then you are making my point that it does depend on how the car has been treated. I car driven on nice days only and always garaged and covered will not be the same as a car driven in all types of weather and parked outdoors a lot.
Since there probably aren't that many original owners out there anymore like myself, I think it would be prudent for any new owner to have this service done just so he has his starting point.
I'm not recommending for ANYONE to disregard the maintenance schedule. I'm just telling my point of view as to why I postponed my service and I wanted to share my findings after that service. I am sorry if this seems like "dangerous" information. It is what it is, information.
. Al least, I hope so...
That's gotta be another April's Fool joke!
