howdy 'all.
My 2003 SE has 115000 on it so I figure since it is spring break, I should do the work and change the timing belt. Since I'm going to have everything off, I'm going to go ahead and change the water pump, and the tensioner. Is it worth it to change the oil pump? What kind of mods can I do while there? I was thinking of putting on a UDP, but I don't know what the effect will be on AC and PS. (+$$$). Should I change the oil seals as well? Anything else I ought to look at?
Thanks for your help.
Pete

 

Hell, might as well pull the head and change the head gasket while your in there. Aside from that, change out the water pump and the oil pump while your at it...

AS far as mods you could do during the change, well those possibilies are new pistons, rods, UDP, new camshaft, cam gear, etc...

 

im gettin my mag cam done while they change my timing belt

 

whats the recommended interval for the timing belt change? if im just a novice mechanic, is it something best left to a shop? and do you recommend an oem replacement belt or an aftermarket brand?

 

i would get mine done at a shop but thats just me... and as for a brand.. i have no idea.. but im commin close to the time where im gonna need to change the belt and pumps.....

 

yea im gettim mine done at da shop i wouldnt want to mess wit the timing belt.

 

I still have a couple of more years to go before that, yah. Well at least 30k

 

I'm having an 01 mag cam put in on mine

 

I think Haynes says to replace it at 90000. That was about 25000 ago for me. I'm running on borrowed time. I would take it to the shop, but $$$ is tight, and if I can save $300 that would be great. Plus I get the satisfaction of knowing I did it, and now I have that knowledge. If I screw it up, I only have myself to blame. That would be a good excuse to do some real work.[sm=badbadbad.gif] (ie. cam, valve job, etc...)
I would like to do that now, but I think I'm going to stick with water pump, timing belt, and drive belts. If the cam and crank oil seals need to be changed, then I'll do that, but I want to keep it low cost, and as quick as I can.

 

The average interval is 100,000 miles for the timing belt. As for difficulty, personally I dont think its hard at all, but I guess it depends on how much wrenching experience you have, Neon or otherwise. As for the actual timing belt, the best brand you can get is the Gatorback (whats on my car), but it will be a little more expensive comapred to the regular OEM belts.