I think it's about time to replace the timing belt on my '04 outlander since the clock reads 75k and recomended replacement is 60k. Has anyone done this? Is this something that a backyard mechanic should get into? I can't find a repair manual for this car.

 

You can do it yourself as long as you have the tools and you line up the timing marks exactly you should be fine.

 

Im no help i only have 7k so i havent done that yet.....i was just wondering if you got your outlander new...and if or what problems you had with it....i am hoping to keep mine for a very long time and love it

 

I did buy it new and have been very happy with it. The only issue I have had with it is the squeaky rear bushings. Had them replaced with the supposed updated arms and the squeeking has come back. This car has been very reliable, the best I have had so far and I have owned many,many new cars.

 

I have done this job at 80,000 miles and it was not too bad with the right tools. You must remove the front engine mount so be sure to shore up the motor with a jack. You must also remove three pulleys which are not too bad except the water pump pulley. It is located very close to the fender and requires a buddy to hold it still and small tools to loosen the bolts. There is also a secondary belt that drives the counter balance so be sure to get this part before you start. I also broke almost all of the plastic clips holding the plastic shields on the bottom of the car so be sure to get replacements for these as well. On a scale of 1 to 10 I would put this job at a 5 assuming you have a really good set of tools and a buddy. Oh, another suggestion is to use finger nail polish to paint the pulleys and belts before you remove the belts. Than match up the old belt with the new and paint the approriate teeth and this will insure that you get the new belt on inthe right position.

 

If you can...have it done by somebody.

 

have the dealer tech.replace it...(its easy to replace it, but if yaw a newbie w/ this...uhhh confusion and paranoia.)

 

Scottsnow46 wrote:
"Oh, another suggestion is to use finger nail polish to paint the pulleys and belts before you remove the belts. Than match up the old belt with the new and paint the approriate teeth and this will insure that you get the new belt on inthe right position."

That is an awesome tip, BTW. You don't even have to spin the crank around to TDC. By marking your new belt exactly like you marked the old one, and lining up the new belt's marks with the corresponding marks on the pulleys, etc., you can't go wrong. I used this technique for the TB replacement on my Huyndai, and will use it on my Outie as well.