[Normy]

My current belt was installed in December 2003, and has since seen about 16,000 miles.

-I was going to replace it this year, but I check the tension each month and it is consistently perfect. The belt appears in good shape, so I think I'm going to wait another year.

My understanding is that the failure mode of the M28 timing belt does not involve the belt breaking. What happens in most instances is that the belt either jumps a tooth due to looseness, or it actually shears a few rubber "teeth" off. Based upon this, and also based upon a set of Bridgestone tires that I put on the car about 5 years ago and that FLAT SPOTTED LIKE CRAZY....I kind of wonder if the notion of the belt sitting in one position for a period of time might not cause a "set" to one small section of the belt, and then the sudden start-up of an engine who's oil film has largely disappeared [more friction than normal] might be enough to shear the teeth when the belt bends.

When in doubt....change the belt. Good insurance, and you're going to have to do it eventually anyway.

N!