WHEN to change timing belt

[SPClark]

Crossed 75K miles yesterday on my '03 S's (roughly) 30-month delivery anniversary. Dropped it off at the dealer's for the indicated oil change, told it was time for the Inspection II Service, got handed a list of what this entails (oil & filter among many other things) and an estimate of about $700 (about $.01 per mile driven; not bad, but still...).

Inquired about changing the timing belt, Service Writer says "...doesn't have to be changed" to which I expressed MUCH SKEPTICISM. "What happens to an S engine when the belt breaks?" I asked and, after a moment he said "I'll check into that."

I generally have believed reinforced timing belts need changing about every 100,000 miles unless engines are raced and maintained more closely that the average street engine.

I don't want to bounce valves off pistons, please. Anyone offer up their sense of this?

[MAD Always]

My dealer said it was a chain and not a belt.

I hope he was not pulling my chain.

[indimini]

The Tritec engine does use a timing chain, not a belt. It should be inspected around 100-150K, but it is not something you should need to worry about replacing especially at 75K.

[SPClark]

Quote: Originally Posted by indimini

The Tritec engine does use a timing chain, not a belt. It should be inspected around 100-150K, but it is not something you should need to worry about replacing especially at 75K.

Thanks for the confirmation. I'd not been aware a chain was involved here; I'd driven SAAB's for years, also fitted with chains, and had no problems in many, many miles with several different 2 liter variants.