Timing Belt Life in a 2.3L Eng??

dorman68 · May 19, 2009

Ok guys I have consulted the Haynes & Chilton service manuals, they state that the timing belt service interval is 60,000miles. My question is regarding my 93 Ranger 2.3L with 144,000mi on the clock. I have had my truck for a little while and it runs pretty good, I have purchased it from the original owner at 135,000mi, he stated that he has never replaced the timing belt. I pulled back the cover a little bit and saw Fords insignia on the belt, it looked in fair shape with a few hairline surface cracks here and there. With that said I am going to assume that the timing belt is original. How long can a push the limits of the timing belt? How long have you guys let your timing belt go for? Right now I am a little short of funds and have to postpone the repair for a while. Any insight will be appreciated.

Thanks

5.0 · May 19, 2009

Mine had over 180,000 miles when I replaced it, and it looked like the original Ford stuff just like everything else on the truck (previous owner didn't replace anything!). The back side of the belt still looked ok, but the other side with the teeth had a few really bad spots. If you decide to run it for a while and it breaks, the only additional cost is a tow bill.

fastpakr · May 19, 2009

I thought the interval was supposed to be longer than 60k on the 2.3. In any case, it's not an interference engine. If you need to postpone it a little longer, go for it. The worst case is that you break down on the road. No engine damage will be done.

It's not an expensive repair to do yourself, though. If you've got the time, go for it.

Beanmachine7000 · May 19, 2009

Mine's at 200K on the original... We don't drive the truck hardly anymore and there have been other, higher priority items come up... I got the stuff to do it, just haven't yet, lol...

locovaca · May 19, 2009

The interval is based on the belt tooth type, as far as I'm aware.

fastpakr · May 19, 2009

That sounds right. 80k for the square tooth and 100k for the round tooth, IIRC.

RobbieD · May 19, 2009

My Ford-original round-tooth belt broke at 198,400-something miles. The Gates replacement has close to that on it now.

dorman68 · May 20, 2009

Guys, I would like to thank you for your feedback and experiences. All of you are a great help. For now, I am going to let my timing belt job slide for a little while, your feedback made me feel more comfortable in trusting my belt for another year and a few more camping trips.

fastpakr · May 20, 2009

Excellent. Good luck!

Roger · May 20, 2009

I don't have but 98k miles on my 90 2.3, not sure if its round or square tooth. But thanks for lettng me know its a non-interference motor. I'll check to see if its cracked or not, but will probably let it go til failure now.

scotts90ranger · May 20, 2009

'90 is square tooth, the change happened in '93 or '94

ZackB · May 22, 2009

Mine broke at about 170K. Getting the crank pully off is the only hard part.

jdm_farmboy · May 24, 2009

Mine broke at about 165k

Cacher · Jun 12, 2009

Well, Mine croaked at about the 144K you are talking about.........hmmm. I am sure it was original-I have found alot of OEM stuff on my Ranger. Even found one spark plug that was never changed at 100k when I did them. The electrode was half melted off, scary.

rangerstzz · Jun 13, 2009

the most important thing on these is to check/reset the belt tension every couple of years

Timing Belt Life in a 2.3L Eng??

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