# Determining need for timing belt change

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/determining-need-for-timing-belt-change/54774>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** explorer, ford\
**Created:** [September 7, 2010, 5:15pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/determining-need-for-timing-belt-change/54774 "2010-09-07T17:15:50Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![MuggsZ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/fbc32d/32.png) [@MuggsZ](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MuggsZ)\
**Post date:** [September 7, 2010, 5:15pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/determining-need-for-timing-belt-change/54774/1 "2010-09-07T17:15:50Z")

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We just purchased a 2000 Ford Explorer with 130,000 miles on it. The car is very clean, and we had it checked by a mechanic who found less than $500 worth of work that he recommended.  
  
 Question is – how do you determine if the timing belt has ever been changed? CarFax indicates several trips to various Ford dealers for maintenance, but there is no indication of specific things like the timing belt.

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**Author:** ![mshugna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ce73a5/32.png) [@mshugna](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mshugna)\
**Post date:** [September 7, 2010, 5:18pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/determining-need-for-timing-belt-change/54774/2 "2010-09-07T17:18:18Z")

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you cannot tell… it is mileage or time which ever comes first…in this case, when in doubt change it.

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**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\
**Post date:** [September 7, 2010, 5:19pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/determining-need-for-timing-belt-change/54774/3 "2010-09-07T17:19:22Z")

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The engine in your Explorer utilizes a timing chain. Not a timing belt.

Tester

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**Author:** ![mcparadise](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mcparadise/32/32_2.png) [@mcparadise](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mcparadise)\
**Post date:** [September 7, 2010, 5:24pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/determining-need-for-timing-belt-change/54774/4 "2010-09-07T17:24:46Z")

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I don’t believe the Explorer uses a belt. I’m pretty sure it has a chain, which does not need replacement under normal circumstances.

One less thing to worry about.

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**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\
**Post date:** [September 7, 2010, 6:34pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/determining-need-for-timing-belt-change/54774/5 "2010-09-07T18:34:28Z")

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Belts are for little imports not big trucks.

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**Author:** ![mark9207](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71c47a/32.png) [@mark9207](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mark9207)\
**Post date:** [September 7, 2010, 6:45pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/determining-need-for-timing-belt-change/54774/6 "2010-09-07T18:45:55Z")

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Except for the Toyota Tundra.