Getting Concerned

[Buzzman]

I'm starting to worry about the cam belt in my Traker. I have a 96 with the 16 valve engine. Car has around 130K miles. I have read on this site about there being two types of engines. One clearance that you can run until the belt blows with no damage the other non- clearance that having the belt break causes major damage. Can anyone tell me which one I have? Is there any way to check and see if the belt has been replaced?

[LongRod]

Originally Posted by Buzzman

I'm starting to worry about the cam belt in my Traker. I have a 96 with the 16 valve engine. Car has around 130K miles. I have read on this site about there being two types of engines. One clearance that you can run until the belt blows with no damage the other non- clearance that having the belt break causes major damage. Can anyone tell me which one I have? Is there any way to check and see if the belt has been replaced?

You have cause for concern. As far as I know, all 16 valve engines are NON-clearance meaning that if the timing belt breaks, the valves can hit the pistons and cause major damage. Since checking your belt involves just as much work as replacing it and due to the low cost of the belt, you need to change your belt.

[eXpReSs]

According to my '95 Tracker manual, timing belt is every 60k miles. According to the service manager at the Chevy dealership here, if you drive it exceptionally hard, change it every 50k miles.

[Hargis]

Originally Posted by LongRod

You have cause for concern. As far as I know, all 16 valve engines are NON-clearance meaning that if the timing belt breaks, the valves can hit the pistons and cause major damage. Since checking your belt involves just as much work as replacing it and due to the low cost of the belt, you need to change your belt.

Are the 8 valve also non-clearance?

[LongRod]

Originally Posted by Hargis

Are the 8 valve also non-clearance?

Nope. Nothing to worry about with an 8 valve.