Defective Timing Belt from eBay?

[Ayune]

If you look at the product pictures on PartSouq.com for the OEM (P/N 13568-59095) and Mitsuboshi (P/N 211S8M34) timing belts for our engines, you can clearly see the teeth with cords exposed. Looks like it's a normal feature however disconcerting it may appear.

 

[ramangain]

I think the pessimists are concentrating on the fact that there appears to be zero signs of fraying, even under magnification, of the OPs timing belt where it is "discontinuous". Intentional or not, there is a very very high probability that the discontinuity was caused by a physical cutting/slicing process.

 

[MJK]

Yet another good reason to do at least the basics yourself, and buy quality parts.

IMO, move on from this and treat it like the lesson it was. WTF are you doing buying eBay timing belts and taking your truck to the shop for a serpentine belt anyways?

Apologies for the delivery - I am feeling a little too brutally honest today.

 

[abuck99]

^^ If it can be determined that it was cut by "non mechanical" means ( ie. the tech) that needs to be addressed with shop ownership directly- that behavior is intolerable.

If it were me, I would present it this way to the shop owner/management, " I only had this belt installed 5 months ago, Im surprised it is cut like that and it didn't fail altogether. Hey can you describe to me how a vertical cut like this happens and where in the circuit you think it happened?" In this way you don't accuse them, but make them explain to you how they see that happening.

 

[JunkCrzr89]

WTF are you doing buying eBay timing belts and taking your truck to the shop for a serpentine belt anyways?

 

[awesomeissquid]

I thought it was curious that they (a) had access to the timing belt for the serpentine belt replacement and (b) that the portion that was visible happened to be cut. But when I had a look at the timing belt after removal, I noticed the exposed cord and figured that to be the culprit. I've been to this shop (recommended on mud) on-and-off for the last 4-5 years and haven't had any real issues. That said, this particular tech is new to me. I suppose I gave him the benefit of the doubt. In hindsight, I should have consulted you all prior to repair -- obviously some questions I should have asked. Per Abuck, I'll reach out to Mitsuboshi for their input. I've attached a picture that the tech sent me before I approved the timing belt replacement, as well as a closeup of another section of exposed, but intact cord. Is the yellow paint unusual?

I also found that the company that sold it appears to have been a subsidiary of a parts distributor out of CA. Of course, both phone lines are disconnected.

View attachment 2553411
View attachment 2553412

I haven’t done a timing belt yet so I don’t know how much tension it has on it, but how did the tech turn/move the belt as shown in the still installed picture? I would assume it wouldn’t be able to have that much movement.

 

[AvCruiser]

did you not replace serp belt when tbelt was replaced? why was serp belt being replaced so soon after?

I had the serp belt replaced along with timing belt -- but not the fan pulley -- which is what seized.

 

[JunkCrzr89]

I had the serp belt replaced along with timing belt -- but not the fan pulley -- which is what seized.

That would’ve been helpful in your first post

 

[AvCruiser]

Yet another good reason to do at least the basics yourself, and buy quality parts.

IMO, move on from this and treat it like the lesson it was. WTF are you doing buying eBay timing belts and taking your truck to the shop for a serpentine belt anyways?

Apologies for the delivery - I am feeling a little too brutally honest today.

Point taken re eBay parts -- though based on the comparison photos posted by Ayune, I agree with the group consensus that tech malice, not product defect, is likely the culprit. In hindsight, I should have tackled the project. At the time, I felt more comfortable having a "professional" do the work.

^^ If it can be determined that it was cut by "non mechanical" means ( ie. the tech) that needs to be addressed with shop ownership directly- that behavior is intolerable.

If it were me, I would present it this way to the shop owner/management, " I only had this belt installed 5 months ago, Im surprised it is cut like that and it didn't fail altogether. Hey can you describe to me how a vertical cut like this happens and where in the circuit you think it happened?" In this way you don't accuse them, but make them explain to you how they see that happening.

Good advice. I will bring the issue to the owner's attention. If he's an honest broker -- as he has been in the past -- he'll make it right.

 

[2001LC]

I had the serp belt replaced along with timing belt -- but not the fan pulley -- which is what seized.

You mean fan bracket?
I assume yellow paint is tech marking bad spots he found on timing belt, to highlight?
Waiting to hear why mechanic looked into T-belt area???

____________________

I can think of only two reason a mechanic would pull timing cover, while R&R a serp belt.

1) Serpentine belt broke wrapping around pulley, damaging the timing cover. So t-belt cover was removed to repair or replace damage. We've seen a case in mud, where a serp belt actually did this and took out the timing belt..
2) After replacing serp belt. Mechanic heard something concerning and investigated with serp belt off, still hearing, he pulled t-belt cover.

I can think of 5 possible cause a belt would have a rip like this:
1) During install tech pried on belt to get belt onto pulleys or sprockets. Prying, twisting or bending timing belt should never be done.
2) Belt was defective or damage in shipping.
3) Small plastic cover left off, an something got into belt area.
4) Counterfeit.
5) Serp belt damage the timing belt.


I've returned 4 timing belt kits in last 6 months. Due to shipping damage to parts in side. The water pump and pulleys rip around in the box, during shipping. I've not seen a belt damaged. But have seen damage water pump and it's gasket twice for each. The belt is on side of box with pulleys. I suppose shipping damage is in realm of possibilities.

Not likely sabotage!

 

[yngmrostrvile]

This gets even more interesting as more information comes out.
Did the shop that did your tbelt originally then also replace your fan bracket and second serp belt?

 

[ramangain]

^ Yeah, I'm now waiting for a concise, step by step of events in a single post by the OP to fully understand "wassup"

 

[yngmrostrvile]

^ Yeah, I'm now waiting for a concise, step by step of events in a single post by the OP to fully understand "wassup"

I know 28 hours ago I would have had aaa pick up the truck and bring it home, stopped by one of the 10 N A P As in the area to get a new kit, bracket, seals, hoses etc and torn into it.
Then while sitting on the lou tomorrow morning sippin coffee doin paper work Id be posting reviews on the shops social media that gave a play by play of the situation.
The repair fiasco not the coffee and #2.

 

[flintknapper]

You have any political stickers on your vehicle?

 

[95Fantasma80]

Hate reading these horror stories on IH8MUD, why I always say buy OEM parts from dealer or online equivalent or cruiser outfitters and install at reputable land cruiser shop, well reviewed dealer or best of all yourself if have the skills. Never buy kits from ebay/amazon. Never trust a random shop that "does it all".

 

[nissanh]

You mean fan bracket?
I assume yellow paint is tech marking bad spots he found on timing belt, to highlight?
Waiting to hear why mechanic looked into T-belt area???

____________________

I can think of only two reason a mechanic would pull timing cover, while R&R a serp belt.

1) Serpentine belt broke wrapping around pulley, damaging the timing cover. So t-belt cover was removed to repair or replace damage. We've seen a case in mud, where a serp belt actually did this and took out the timing belt..
2) After replacing serp belt. Mechanic heard something concerning and investigated with serp belt off, still hearing, he pulled t-belt cover.

I can
Even counterfeit

Hate reading these horror stories on IH8MUD, why I always say buy OEM parts from dealer or online equivalent or cruiser outfitters and install at reputable land cruiser shop, well reviewed dealer or best of all yourself if have the skills. Never buy kits from ebay/amazon. Never trust a random shop that "does it all".

I unwillingly installed a Chinese knockoff Timing belt (no brand or letter on the belt) into a friend's 03 Taco. The truck has a non-interference 5vzfe engine, and due to his financial status at that time I got it done. It is now about 30K miles/3years and the belt is still strong... So how could Mitsuboshi shows two rips is a big puzzle to me!

OP, are both cuts on one side of the belt (faces the timing belt cover or faces the engine block?) I suspect both cuts on same side and faces the belt cover as it is the only side that can be cut easily.

 

[suprarx7nut]

You have any political stickers on your vehicle?

I hadn't thought of this, but I could absolutely see this being motivation for some foul play. People are extra crazy recently.

 

[flintknapper]

I hadn't thought of this, but I could absolutely see this being motivation for some foul play. People are extra crazy recently.

Happens every day. Vandalized vehicles with political stickers on them or NRA stickers in particular.

God help the person I catch doing that to mine. I'm old enough that Life in Prison doesn't really mean that much to me.

 

[suprarx7nut]

Happens every day. Vandalized vehicles with political stickers on them or NRA stickers in particular.

God help the person I catch doing that to mine. I'm old enough that Life in Prison doesn't really mean that much to me.

Location of "Deep East Texas" checks out. Haha.

I signed up for a carry conceal class or newsletter or something in college. Permanent address was my folk's place. They were not pleased to get NRA mailers every so often. I didn't get the big deal, but some folks get pretty riled up over those three letters.

 

[2001LC]

I unwillingly installed a Chinese knockoff Timing belt (no brand or letter on the belt) into a friend's 03 Taco. The truck has a non-interference 5vzfe engine, and due to his financial status at that time I got it done. It is now about 30K miles/3years and the belt is still strong... So how could Mitsuboshi shows two rips is a big puzzle to me!

OP, are both cuts on one side of the belt (faces the timing belt cover or faces the engine block?) I suspect both cuts on same side and faces the belt cover as it is the only side that can be cut easily.

Looks like one rip to me. Two pictures of same rip.