Non Mopar - Question from a coworker

[ChallengerHK]

A guy I work with had an issue with his car over the weekend. Sounds to me like a timing belt problem, and the shop he took it to says the same thing. Here's the odd part, though: they told him that they think the core issue was that he needs to change his oil, and that's what caused the belt to act up. I can't fathom the situation in which oil would cause a timing belt failure. Am I missing something about newer cars?

[soundcontrol]

Sound like a strange answer. I agree that general negligence of the engine causes more wear and tear overall, but I can't see a direct connection to the timing belt.

[ChallengerHK]

Unless the motor were on the verge of failure from lack of lubrication, I can't even see old oil allowing enough additional frictional to significantly affect rotation.

[Cuda Cody]

Doesn't seem to add up, but I'm not really very experienced with timing belts.   

[xx88man]

No that makes no sense to me.   

[XeGnome]

Sadly ... some timing belts are 'plastic'.      That may be what the mechanic was referring to 

[RUNCHARGER]

Core issue? Nah, you don't want to get oil on your timing belt though so Oil LEAKS could be a core issue.

[turbostang7]

newer cars usually have a tensioner that is hydraulically controlled by the oil, if the oil isn't changed regularly it gums up and will ruin a belt.

[Marc70challenger]

newer cars usually have a tensioner that is hydraulically controlled by the oil, if the oil isn't changed regularly it gums up and will ruin a belt.

And we learn something everyday. 

[HP_Cuda]

newer cars usually have a tensioner that is hydraulically controlled by the oil, if the oil isn't changed regularly it gums up and will ruin a belt.

60k and done.

[Chryco Psycho]

newer cars usually have a tensioner that is hydraulically controlled by the oil, if the oil isn't changed regularly it gums up and will ruin a belt.

Exactly there is a hydraulic tensioner on some cars , dirty oil will lead to problems, modern engines are much different ,you need to follow weights & change intervals , Ihave herd some Ford engines will fill if the oil weight is too high as it will not feed through small passages properly heard something similar about subaru too , turbos are sensitive too as they rely on engine oil as well