My wife has a 97 mirage with 128,000 miles on it. She bought it with about 70,000 on it and I don't think the timing belt has ever been replaced. I am wondering if I (a novice mechanic) could buy a repair manual and do this myself. I called around and mechanics want to charge around $250 for labor alone. Should I replace the water pump while the engine is open? Are there any other things I should have done at this time. I appreciate your help.
Shawn

 

$ 250.00 for labor aint bad.

Anyhow, 128,000 mi. is a lot ! I would suggest that you remove the top part of the timing cover and shine a light down the timing belt and see what it looks like pretty much before you drive it any further.

Is it really o-kay looking, or is it shredding ?

See any heat damage, like rubber residue left on the sprocket teeth ?

Reach down and check to see how tight or loose it is .

This little job can give you an idea of what its like to replace the timing belt.

DT

 

I took the timing belt cover off and it looks fine. The sprocket seems fine, all of the teeth seem to be there on the belt, no tears, or signs of shredding. It seemed tight and wasn't loose at all. Should I not replace it since it looks fine? Is there anything else I should do besides change of fluids, plugs and air filter?
thanx

 

id say replace it within the next 10-15k miles or so, general rule is every 60k miles or so..... even if it seems ok......

 

Hello I have to replace my timing belt too. I just replaced the alternator belt because it was broke and gone. its a 97 Mirage DE 1.5L. Is it pretty simple if you get the Chilton Manual? Is there any youtube videos you suggest before tackling this task? I am at 203,xxx Miles and she is still pulling strong I am also going to replace the plugs and wires. is there anything else you might recommend doing at this time? I am up to date with oil changes but I am still kind of a beginner at doing the maintenance myself I end up finding how to fixing things as they break, hoping to get ahead of this.
thanks for any advice