Do you change the thermostat and the front cam seals and the front crank seal when you change your timing belt?

I was just gonna do the belt, 2 idlers, tensioner, water pump and drive belt. 225K on my 1998.

 

You can change the crank seal fairly easy. The cam seals are not so easy on your 98. If I remember correctly, the cams need to come out to change the seals.

 

So would would you just leave them alone for now?l

 

Unless the cams are leaking leave them alone unless your feeling adventurous. The camshafts have to be removed and it's tedious. Def change the crank seal though.

 

it's a very good idea to change the thermostat as you will be dealing with coolant for the water pump anyway. you'll have to bleed the system only once for the two parts, so it's ideal to replace it.

at 225k i would def change the crank seal as well as it's already accessible. cam seals, as stated should be changed as needed, but if it were my car, i would do them too.

 

And if it has lower miles like around 135,000 and no signs of leaking, I wouldn't bother with either one.
I've seen seals last a long time, ones that don't usually haven't been installed right.

 

he already said 225.... so?

 

I know, its for others that don't.

 

The thermostat is cake to replace and cheap. Plus, it's probably going to fail at the worst time possible, so just do it.

Reading these replies, wishing I changed my crank seal. All I can say is, it was in beautiful shape and I didn't have the heart to touch it. Cam seals...no idea. I'll defer to those wiser than I.

Hey, when you replace the TB you can use wine bottle corks to hold it in place down at the crank while you install. Or install from the cams first...that was another good suggestion. But if you do it MY way you can kill 2 bottles and tell the wife you're doing it to save time on the TB job.

 

2 words! Preventative Maintenance! With 220k + miles why risk it? Change all the seals out, you'll be halfway there when replacing the timing belt, so why do it all over again when they start, if not already, leaking.

 

And if it isn't done correctly be prepared for a new engine replant. If your not a real technician it is better left to the dealer. In my area the dealer was cheaper price than all the independents and a free loaner car was included. Not so with the independents. This job is not the place to be learning how to twist wrenches, that is if its a car you use and want to drive. If its something that's almost being shipped to a junk yard then goahead.