Mostly you are just running on borrowed time. The angular changes due to belt the belt length changes are minimal due to the web built into the belt design. The notch wear is apparent in old belts but the notch only registers the position the belt mostly operates by friction on the pulley. When the web breaks all hell is released. The web is built not to lengthen at all so no stretch and it does so for 60-80 k miles. The breakdown is in the web fiber once that happens…
I am not trained as a mechanic and practice a different sort of engineering and since I am well equipped and experienced with 30+ years I would change the belt easily. But I maintain 3 cars so that at any time I can park 1 for a few weeks if needed. Some jobs take time and patience. As a DYIer I feel the impulse to fix the problem. BUT if your skill fails just a little bit on this job or you do not really inspect the parts you just spent 10 hours putting together a disaster waiting to happen. If you really want to do it go for it BUT please listen that you need a lot of time and patience as a newcomer to do it the right way. I even had to make the tool I needed to pretension the belt in my own shop because other tools would not fit correctly. But I took my time and hand made the tool using careful measurements.
OP solved his problem by buying a car with a TIMING CHAIN, a Chevy Cobalt. He decided not to buy the Civic that needed a belt and the other items that go with it.
39 Posts and counting…Rubber timing belts. Avoid them. Spend two weeks in Mexico this winter with that money…
How about avoid cars with a timing chain…and take a vacation for a Month in Europe for the money saved when you have to replace that.
Caddyman…Just busting your chops…I don’t think we’ll ever agree on this one.
My Mother’s '85 Camry had a belt go (back in 1997) but it didn’t break. I think the ‘teeth’ sheered so the car couldn’t run. Kind of scary pulling on to a 50 MPH road and then … NOTHING. There was no hint of a problem before that. Glad I was driving it and not her.
If it breaks, could be BIG problems. Engine destroyed, etc.
If you have a car that is at the ‘replace timing belt’ point - DO IT. Sadly, it tends to be a few hundred $$ but that is less than installing a rebuilt engine.