I'm looking to buy a 300zx and I went to go look at one the other week that just had a new top end put in(timing belts, pulleys, heads, valves,etc.) and the timing belt is screeching some at idle and lower speeds. The guy took it back to the shop where the work was done and the guy said its normal for it to screech a little at first and it will break in eventually and stop screeching. The shop said if anything happened they would fix it. Is this normal for the timing belt to screech when new? Any info is appreciated. Thanks

 

I don't think that's normal. When i had mine fixed, i had to take it back four times, and that was at a dealership. they said the same thing that it would make noise and then stop. Don't believe it. After the fourth time they finally got it right, and it didn't make any noise at all. I've talked to a few people who also had problems after changing their belt. It must be very hard to do right.

 

Do you think they just didn't put the belts on right or was it something else?

 

On mine they said that it needed a new tensioner. Put that on, still made noise. I think they just aren't putting the belt on right. It' s hard to do on these cars. Is this a dealer mechanic or somebody else? Also, does the car drive fine? Mine had a horsepower loss when the belt was on wrong.<P ID="edit"><FONT class="small"><EM>Edited by machine11z on 10/07/02 12:57 PM.</EM></FONT></P>

 

The car drove well. The work wasn't done at a dealership but at a local shop. He new the guy pretty well that did the work.
This is off the subject but I looked at another Z32 NA with 160,000 miles on it also. It ran great. It has a new clutch,t-tops,ac, and new brakes. Paint is in pretty good condtion, has a big rip on side of driver seat, and a stock amp is out so stereo doesn't work well. For $4500,or 5000 do you think this would be a pretty good deal? I'm still trying to find out the last time the timing belts have been changed on it. How much does it cost to get new timing belts with installation included? Thanks

 

Well, if the shop said they would still fix if not right, then maybe go ahead. As for the car I think you could get one for cheaper, at least in ohio. I guess it varies. My belts cost me about 600$ altogether.. I hope i wasn't screwed.

 

Ok thanks for the help.

 

heh, i replaced my timing belt and it didnt screech at all... but the Air conditioning belt did. i dont think it is your timing belt you are hearing because it has an auto tensoner on it. so if it is screeching then your tensoner is bad and that is really bad...:-(

 

No, it should not screech. This is probably the AC belt or pulley - I noticed thatyou if put the washers on wrong for the AC pulley, the pulley didn't spin right, got really hot, and screeched.

BTW, you should always replace your tensioner.