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#29863 of 32000 Re: I have a Jetta loaner car... [andre1969] by busiris

Dec 28, 2012 (1:31 pm)

Replying to: andre1969 (Dec 28, 2012 1:09 pm)
Over time, chains do stretch, but a stretched chain doesn't do the damage a broken belt does.
 
If one looks at the recommended service items on belt-driven engines, there's always a change interval, usually in the 50-80K mile range.
 
I can't EVER recall seeing a recommended timing chain replacement mileage change interval, but that doesn't mean there isn't one.
 
Frankly, I'm not as down on belts as I used to be. Like you, I think they've improved over the years.
 
I remember when Harley went to the Gates final drive belts and the old-timers had hissy-fits about doing away with the chains. Belts were a huge improvement over chains. I have a 98 Road King I drove from Key West to the Alaskan Arctic Circle and back sitting in my garage as I type this, still with the original final drive belt. If you know how rocky the Dalton Road is in Alaska, you understand how durable that belt has been.
 
I've replaced tires, engine gaskets, light bulbs, etc, but the drive belt still looks to be in excellent shape.
 
Like you stated, a lot of the success/failure of belts depends upon the quality of the engineering of the engine. I don't refuse to buy a car with a belt, but it has to have some unique features for me to consider it.
 
As you may have guessed by now, I've had my experience with the timing belt on an interference engine... Not pleasant at all...

#29864 of 32000 Re: I have a Jetta loaner car... [busiris] by andres3

Dec 28, 2012 (1:35 pm)

Replying to: busiris (Dec 28, 2012 1:31 pm)
Continental, yes, the same company that makes rubber tires for automobiles, made my replacement timing belt.
 
I'm confident in its ability to last 75 to 100K miles.

#29865 of 32000 Re: Chevy Dealer story [ateixeira] by busiris

Dec 28, 2012 (1:35 pm)

Replying to: ateixeira (Dec 28, 2012 1:21 pm)
The Subaru dealership here where I live is in the same building once occupied by the Ford dealer, which moved and opened an ill-fated Isuzu dealership, which closed and then became the used car section for the Ford dealership, and is now the Subaru dealership... All owned by the same group.
 
It really doesn't stand out as being anything like an outdoorsy theme-based location.

#29866 of 32000 Re: Chevy Dealer story [robr2] by bpizzuti

Dec 28, 2012 (1:45 pm)

Replying to: robr2 (Dec 28, 2012 1:12 pm)
Subaru generally only has one requirement. A Subaru logo. Beyond that, the Subaru fans (numerous in the Northeast) come a-runnin.

#29867 of 32000 Re: Chevy Dealer story [bpizzuti] by ateixeira

Dec 28, 2012 (1:54 pm)

Replying to: bpizzuti (Dec 28, 2012 1:45 pm)
Typical directions in New England:
 
Drive 3 blocks, make a right at the Subaru dealer
Then drive down and make a left at the 3rd Subaru dealer
Then make a right at the 2nd Subaru dealer
When you reach the 3rd Subaru dealer, go left and you're there
 
 

#29868 of 32000 Re: Chevrolet stores [ateixeira] by tlong

Dec 28, 2012 (2:42 pm)

Replying to: ateixeira (Dec 28, 2012 12:36 pm)
How can you sustain a franchise selling about 1 car a day?
  
Seriously.
 
I think you now also know why most D3 dealers are also foreign make dealers.

#29869 of 32000 Re: I have a Jetta loaner car... [andre1969] by dieselone

Dec 28, 2012 (3:09 pm)

Replying to: andre1969 (Dec 28, 2012 1:09 pm)
Don't chains tend to stretch out and throw the car way out of tune, so you at least get some warning before it fails totally?
 
My FIL drove 3 Dodge Ram vans consecutively from the late 70's through the early 90's. I think the model years were '77, '84, and '87. All were powered by 318s and all of them needed a timing chain replacement around 100k or so. Two gave him a warning prior to failing, but one failed at 110k while he was towing his bass boat to a fishing tournament out in the middle of nowhere.
 
Seems on some engines timing gears caused lots of problems too.
 
I've had several cars with timing belts. I had one fail, but that was on an '86 Escort and the ford 1.9 was not an interference engine so it wasn't a big deal. Actually it was the water pump which ran off the timing belt that seized and took out the timing belt. Stupid me didn't changed the water pump (which is recommended) when I changed the original belt myself.
 
As long as you change the timing belt at the recommended intervals you should never have a problem. Same with serpentine belts. Break one of those and you're just as stranded. Though you don't have to worry about bent valves;)

#29870 of 32000 Re: Chevy Dealer story [ateixeira] by robr2

Dec 28, 2012 (4:28 pm)

Replying to: ateixeira (Dec 28, 2012 1:21 pm)
The dealership was successful BEFORE he opened this new store
 
Was it? I'd like to see sales before/after the renovation, to see what impact it had.
 
According to the story, the dealership was on track to sell 1800 cars this year. The dealer's website calls it their brand new 70K sq ft dealership. They have 1000 cars in stock. It was a successful dealership before opening the hunting lodge.
 
Clearly you can't turn down a quarter million dollar quarterly bonus, though, not when you sell about one car a day!
 
Dealerships that sell 1 car a day don't qualify for bonuses of $1 million a year. Dealerships that sell 5 cars a day do - which is what this place does.
 
You're a Toyota lover
  
Am I?
 
Based on the way you defend them in some forums, that's the impression I get.
 
Even Subaru will have a hard time convincing large franchises to give their stores a unique look, because they just don't do enough volume to justify the large investment in a franchise.
 
If dealers want to earn their bonuses and keep their franchises, they will. But here in New England, that's not an issue. This seems to be the look that all the Subie dealers in the Boston area are doing:
 
 

#29871 of 32000 Re: I have a Jetta loaner car... [dieselone] by busiris

Dec 28, 2012 (4:32 pm)

Replying to: dieselone (Dec 28, 2012 3:09 pm)
As long as you change the timing belt at the recommended intervals you should never have a problem. Same with serpentine belts. Break one of those and you're just as stranded. Though you don't have to worry about bent valves;)
 
I completely agree.
 
IIRC, certain 351 CID engines in Fords in the 70-80's time frame were known for timing chain issues, too, but its been a long time, so I might be remembering incorrectly.
 
Here's a video of one...
 
http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=WwXkDfFyC5g&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DWwXkDfFyC5- g

#29872 of 32000 Re: I have a Jetta loaner car... [busiris] by steve_ HOST

Dec 28, 2012 (6:06 pm)

Replying to: busiris (Dec 28, 2012 4:32 pm)
Funny, when Ford and Nissan did the joint venture to build minivans, it was Ford that insisted the engines be changed to make them non-interference so there wouldn't be any damage when the belt broke.
 
I'm at 182k on the original timing belt in my Quest. The recommended interval is 105k.
 
This is kind of funny - why wouldn't anyone want to bail from HP at this point? Even if it is to GM.
 
HP accuses IT leaders of orchestrating 'mass departure' to GM (Detroit Free Press)

Messages Page 2988 of 3201

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