Belt Replacement: Your Opinion

[mzacherl]

I've hit the 60k mark on my '99 Catera and I feel I should get my timing belt replaced along with the tensioner. I feel I should do this now because I am going to be working in a different State over this summer and my car needs like a gem during this time. I've already called Cadillac and there are no open recalls on my car so it seems I'm going to have to pay for it myself.

My question is: could I actually do this service myself and save the $$$ in parts and labor. I have no problem taking the time to do it and I am more than willing - in fact, I like working under the hood. All I want to know is that if it is a difficult process, and what hardware would i need to do it?

Or...should i just suck it up and go to the mechanic?

[guardian]

Originally Posted by mzacherl

I've hit the 60k mark on my '99 Catera and I feel I should get my timing belt replaced along with the tensioner. I feel I should do this now because I am going to be working in a different State over this summer and my car needs like a gem during this time. I've already called Cadillac and there are no open recalls on my car so it seems I'm going to have to pay for it myself.

My question is: could I actually do this service myself and save the $$$ in parts and labor. I have no problem taking the time to do it and I am more than willing - in fact, I like working under the hood. All I want to know is that if it is a difficult process, and what hardware would i need to do it?

Or...should i just suck it up and go to the mechanic?

You need to go further with your inquiries re your car. You want to know when, i.e. at how many miles, the recall service was performed. It is possible your belt was changed when the recall service took place. Most Caddy dealers will cheerfully offer you a copy of the service records for your Cat. They will want your VIN first, of course. It's possible the belt change, if any, was recorded within your service records. Check this out.

You should in any event obtain and retain a copy of your service records. You will just know more about your Cat with these records in your hands.

If your belt is the original belt then, yes, it's probably a good idea to change it now. Belt life depends on more than just mileage. But the penalty for belt failure is so high it's better to be safe than sorry.

Good luck!!

[mzacherl]

Thanks for the info.

I have the origional CarFax report from my car somewhere... Would that show my service record in regard to my recall inquiry?

[frank moran]

Originally Posted by mzacherl

Thanks for the info.

I have the origional CarFax report from my car somewhere... Would that show my service record in regard to my recall inquiry?

carfax won't show maintenance, have the dealer run a viss report.
ps. you also need a special timing belt tool to set it up correctly.

[guardian]

Originally Posted by mzacherl

Thanks for the info.

I have the origional CarFax report from my car somewhere... Would that show my service record in regard to my recall inquiry?

It's great that you have the Carfax for your car. Smart.

But, no, Carfax does not have access to the Cadillac service database, so it does not include the data to which I made reference. What you need is free, but you must visit your Caddy dealer's service department to obtain a copy. And again, you need to provide them your VIN so they can pull up and print out the service records, the service history, pertaining to your Catera. This data resides in the Caddy service database, and nowhere else.

Most often this data is provided cheerfully and gratis. If you get blowback instead, you may be at the wrong Cadillac dealer.

[Po Pimp]

Personally I would pay someone to do this job. Looks like a hell of a job. When I went to the dealership to have the service records printed off for me I found that the timing belt on mine was changed at both correct intervals. The first time at 38,??? miles and the next at 79,??? miles. I talked to one of the mechanics for a minute while I was there as he is some what of friend. I asked him how hard the timing belts where to change and he put it to me like this "any time those cateras come in here we have to flip a coin because no one wants to touch those things when it comes to the timing belts." Not a good thing to here from a mechanic with right at 20 years of experience of working on Caddies.

[guardian]

Originally Posted by Po Pimp

Personally I would pay someone to do this job. Looks like a hell of a job. When I went to the dealership to have the service records printed off for me I found that the timing belt on mine was changed at both correct intervals. The first time at 38,??? miles and the next at 79,??? miles. I talked to one of the mechanics for a minute while I was there as he is some what of friend. I asked him how hard the timing belts where to change and he put it to me like this "any time those cateras come in here we have to flip a coin because no one wants to touch those things when it comes to the timing belts." Not a good thing to here from a mechanic with right at 20 years of experience of working on Caddies.

Your post is so important. I hope it is read by every member of this group.

Remember all, for about the fiftieth time, not every Caddy tech was trained on the Cat. A great many were not. Even "back in the day", about a third of Caddy dealerships never signed on to Catera. These dealerships never sold the Cat and never sent ANY of their techs to Cat school.

Thanks so much for your post. It's a great post.

[mzacherl]

Thanks everyone for the advice! If I were not a part of this group I would be screwed.

I was also wondering if getting the belt kit from Europe is a good idea. I would love to save the $$$. I've notice that there are different versions across the board for the Omega. I'm not quite sure which I would need or if they are any good really. Does anybody here have experience with them?

But, I think what I will do is have a dealer near me put in the belt kit [which ever one I get]. I was there before and notice that many of their mechanics have certificates for Catera maintenance. figured I would talk to them first and see what they can do for me. They are good guys so far as I know but their prices can be steep. I needed to get a spare key at one point and I cost me nearly $200 to buy it and program it. They are a lot of Catera's in my area so I'm sure they have worked on a good many

But we shall see! I'll keep everyone posted!

[carate]

Just beware, many dealers/garages will not provide a warranty if you provide the parts. they want their share of the profits from the sale of the bits. Check with your dealer before buying parts to make sure they will warranty the work.
Cheapest kit seems to be the ACDelco for $193 (Rockauto) or the Gates for around 150.
Might as well do the Serpentine belt & tensioner and the Water pump at the same time. Have to remove the former anyway.

[frank moran]

Originally Posted by carate

Just beware, many dealers/garages will not provide a warranty if you provide the parts. they want their share of the profits from the sale of the bits. Check with your dealer before buying parts to make sure they will warranty the work.
Cheapest kit seems to be the ACDelco for $193 (Rockauto) or the Gates for around 150.
Might as well do the Serpentine belt & tensioner and the Water pump at the same time. Have to remove the former anyway.

i used the other Rock auto part, think $185, I am almost sure it is the same as the Delco set. Part number is almost the same. It contained all the parts for the replacement, idler, belt, tensioner etc.

[Wiseguy2]

You want a belt kit for an Omega MV6. Also, the OE belts on these are probably Continental

[Marks DTM Calib]

To me....the Caterra belt change process is pretty staright forward, much easier than many japanese cars and VW's etc.....we even made (and sell) a DVD giving full instructions on how to change them.

Not a difficult job and access is realy good...1hr 30mins is my current record...which included a water pump replacement.....

We have not worked out who the belt supplier is.....its certainly not continental or gates.....the tensioners etc are all SKF on all the kits....and these are the important bits.

Plus, your belt is 20K mile over due a change if you go by the Europeon change intervals!