timing belt change interval

[T.R. Bauer]

In 2003 I changed my timing belts on my honda 45s at around 900 hours and they looked like they somewhat needed it. There was slight cracking where the teeth met the belt and the belt looked somewhat worn. Since then, I have been pulling the cover almost every year and checking them. Yesterday, at nearly 2000 hour interval, I changed the filters, lubricants, adjusted the valves, and checked both belts. The replacement belts (they are honda) I put on in 2003 look like new still. Does anyone know if they updated the quality of the belt and subsequently extened the timing belt change interval? I hate to change belts that look essentially new. I have heard from other honda owners with tons of hours they never changed them at all. I am only the one that changes these? Thoughts?

[jennykatz]

we have a a yamaha f115 I had the belt changed at 600 hrs about 6years old yamaha you are supposed to look at your belt at 500 hrs and change by 1000 hrs . I guess the only down side is if you dont change and the belt actually goes then its engine rebuilt time ? I have 870 hrs on my engine and I plan to change the belts again at 1200 hrs just for fun . I think every 6 yrs or so the engine deserves a new belt ?

[Sunbeam]

Do outboard engines tend to all be interference engines? (I have no idea - only know about cars.)

[T.R. Bauer]

They are interference engines.

[Sunbeam]

Guess I'll go look up the timing belt change interval on mine!

[thataway]

The Suzuki's run a metal timing chain, running in an oil bath. This is said to be maintenance free for the life of the engine. Still an "interference engine" But there the reports of a timing chain breaking on an outboard are far and few, even with 8,000 hours on the motors....

[Sunbeam]

Guess I'll probably have mine changed (or at the very least inspected) soon. I looked up the maintenance chart for my F80 and, first of all, it says above the whole chart that, "Frequency of maintenance operations may be adjusted according to the operating conditions, but the following table gives general guidelines" In the table, it lists the timing belt as every 200 hours/1 year, but with an asterisk. The asterisked comment is "Be sure replace [sic] the timing belt after every 1,000 hours or five years (whichever comes first) of operation."

So how is that for variation!

1) Dependent on operating conditions
2) Every 200 hours/1 year
3) Every 1,000 hours or 5 years

When I had my major engine maintenance done last year (50 hours but ten years old), the shop didn't mention the timing belt, even though I was clearly open to doing whatever might be advised. They are an experienced Yamaha shop with long-time mechanics, so I wonder how their "real world" experience compares to the guidelines. I'll have to ask them. Glad it was brought up in the thread (and now I, too, am curious what others have done).

[T.R. Bauer]

I'm not kidding when I state both of mine look basically like new. I don't mind changing stuff that really needs changed, but other than the honda part number paint being slightly worn off from the contact it has with the tensioner, they look like they could have just come off the dealership parts shelf. They looked far worse in 2003 when I changed them last with fewer hours. Around 1999-2000 or so I also changed the oil I was using to Mobil 1 full synthetic and have used it since. I wonder if the extra slick synthetic oil made the belt last longer due to less friction in the valve train??? Or, did they update the quality of the belt?? To be prudent, I should probably just shell out the $150 bucks and buy new belts - ones that look just like the ones I am taking off.....LOL....

Bob, when I ran my automotive shop I saw a small number of broken timing chains over the years. GM 350s that had lots of miles and a hard life had them fall apart at around 150,000 to 225,000 miles. The sprockets wear out too on other models - especially on motors where folks didn't change the oil frequently enough. Broken belts on the other hand came in frequently because they just don't get changed and do wear out, but I scratch my head at why honda uses them in an outboard when they could have used a much more durable chain. I suppose there were reasons.....I'm at a loss for one logical one though....

[Hunkydory]

Well, I sure don't know about the quality of the replacement timing belts, due to not having changed my 1999 40 hp Honda belts yet & they still look good with 1650 hours, but I see the Manuel does recommend their replacement every 200 hours, so for $59.64 a piece at Boat US, I think with your bringing it up, I will now replace them. After reading this thread I've been trying to figure out how & why I overlooked that they should have been replaced long ago. On all of my on the road vehicles with timing belts, I always changed them at 80000 miles.

I too use mobile 1, extended life, 100% synthetic oil & have since purchasing the boat in 2003. I don't doubt its good oil, but whether or not it extended the life of the timing belt who knows.

Jay

[journey on]

For those of use with Honda 150 or 135's, I mention the following.

In checking the service manual, these engines have timing chains, NOT rubber belts. And they also have a balancer with a timing chain (how about that?)

And for those of you that have a Honda 90, in 2007 they changed from a rubber timing belt to a metal chain.

So we don't have to worry about those engines.

Boris

[Avidmagnum12]

My water pump was at least 4 years old and I felt that it was past time to change it. I asked the Honda dealer to check my timing belt on my 2004 Honda 90 (900 hours) and to replace it if he felt that it needed to be done. They said it was in great shape and not to worry about it. Said there was more problems on cars with the belts than marine applications. Nice to find a dealer that did not just want to push parts.....even had one in stock. Thanks to Astor Marine Florida!

Tom Schulke
2004 CD-22 Commuter
Out2C

[ssobol]

I had a Chevy whose engine that had a timing chain that was supposed to be for the life of the car. At about 65K miles the engine started idling roughly (not too bad but noticeable). Over a period of time I swapped some parts that was supposed to fix bad idling (according to the Chevy shop manual). But nothing helped. During one of these exercises the engine made a loud pop and then would not run. Turns out the timing chain had jumped. The first time it jumped just far enough to affect the idle. The second time it jumped far enough to destroy the engine.

I guess the life of the car was only supposed to 65K miles.

Nowhere in the manual did it say that a jumped timing chain could be the source of bad idle.

[Avidmagnum12]

The rubber belt on the honda 90 can jump also. The mechanic at Astor said it usually happens if the prop has a hard hit or stoppage. He said it affects power...of course if it jumps too far the piston will hit the valves. ouch.
Mine was fine but the 1/2 hour labor charge gave me piece of mind. The other thing he said was to run some sea-foam through the engine. Mixed a can with 3 gallons of gas in my spare 6 gallon can. The idle really smoothed out...not that it was terrible to begin with. I am able to get nonethonal fuel.....costs more but to me worth it. The previous owner paid to have all the carbs rebuilt just before I bought it.

Tom Schulke