2004 Kia Optima

"DodgeDriver" wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@corp.supernews.com:

Belt

Do you know the recommended time to replace the belt? My granddaughter is off with the car and the owner's manual is in the car. Might not see it for days as our paths seldom cross.

Thanks again.

If it is the V6, the recommended mileage is 60,000.

I do know a mechanic who works on those 2.7L V6 engines a lot. He has hardly ever seen a single timing belt on that engine fail, regardless of mileage.

But the one or two that did, were caused at least in part by failing spark plugs. So even if you are past 60,000, I would never go past 90,000. And when you replace the timing belt, have the platinum plugs, as well as the external belts (which should be common sense) replaced as well.

Now that is ONLY if it is the 2.7L V6. If you actually have the 4, do not go one mile over the recommended maintenance interval. I guess the belt failure fate on those Optima 4's are much higher. Thankfully, since '06, the new Optima 4 has a timing chain instead of a belt. The V6 is still the same engine, and with a belt.

Hope this helps.

It does help, thank you. The engine is indeed a V6 and it does have platinum spark plugs.