"jim beam" <nospam@example.net> wrote in message
news:X72dncXdC7mpqXzZnZ2dnUVZ_r6dnZ2d@speakeasy.ne t...
>
> find a different mechanic. they can't tell you the exact mileage, but it
> sure is easy to see the difference between a belt that's done 95k and one
> that's done 10k.
>
> it'll cost you the price of a valve lash adjustment and rocker cover
> gasket - with the rocker cover off, the state of the belt can be easily
> seen. again, find a decent mechanic that will do this for you. or buy
> the book and tools and do it yourself.
>

I think that's fair advice in this specific case; if the markings on the
back of the timing belt are barely smudged the belt is nearly new. In most
cases all we can see is that the belt isn't new, so we don't know what the
age of the belt is and we have to change it. In any case, if there is any
doubt it must be changed.

Mike