Anyone replaced timing belt at 6 years old?

[Katherine]

I had my car at the dealership today and they told me the timing belt should be replaced soon due to the age of the car. I will have had it for 6 years exactly this August. It only has 66K miles on it. I've always heard 90,000 miles for timing belt replacement. I'm trying to figure out if they are being truthful or if they're just trying to get me to replace something early. Anyone do this before the 90K mark?

[onefiend]

They're trying to get money off you since you're a female (I'm assuming). Read your owners manual and go by the maintenance intervals in the manual.

It usually is 90K-100K miles before the timing belt should be replaced. Which reminds me, I have 110K miles on my 2003 Tundra, and still haven't gotten the timing belt replaced

[Ruski]

yes its usually 90 to 100k but not every belt holds up the same way to stress and temperature, environment, driving type. When i bought my 2004 solara it had 40k on it 2 years ago and when i went through inspection i was told i had to replace my serpentine belt because of wear and cracks in the belt. So yes it is possible that your may need to be replaced.

[Katherine]

Yeah, my manual says 90,000 miles OR 108 months (9 years) to replace the timing belt. I had a belt replaced not long ago because they said it was worn and cracking, I think that was the serp. belt. They didnt actually SAY the timing belt looked worn (although I know you cant really tell by looking at it), but my manual does not say 6 years or 90,000 miles and I dont drive under strenuous conditions so im going to wait until 90K miles. Thanks y'all

[Aotoyota]

if you have a 4 cylinger, then you have a timing chain...so just change the serp belt

for v6 maybe someone else can jump in?

[GzNutz]

v6 has a timing belt and a serp. belt.

[jimmm]

Hello, Katherine, and welcome. A member was just recently
lamenting about the absence of female "Guys" on this forum,
so it's nice to have you chime in. You car is a beautiful blue.
As onefiend wrote, it's always good to consult your manual concerning
maintenance intervals and be wary of service technicians who tell
you things that are contradictory to that. On the other hand, as Ruski
wrote, there are variables that need to be considered, such as driving
conditions as well as driving habits. At 66K in six years, you have
driven way below the national average, so it would seem that you don't
have to worry about certain things that pertain to drivers who drive more.
A car, however, is meant to be driven, and just because it is not
driven does not necessarily make it better off. As you yourself
wrote, your other belt had to be changed. One thing to think about
is that maintenance schedule suggestions usualy read Time
and/or Mileage AND WHICH EVER COMES FIRST. Time is a killer too.
Good luck with your decision which ever way you go, and keep
coming back. It's nice to have you here.

[alky181]

Yep, they were lying to you. I've been in the automotive industry for 20 years. The timing belt is never changed on time, only mileage. You should always check your exterior belts for cracking, glazing or chunks missing. If you are doing a timing belt, you may want to consider changing your water pump at the same time. The water pump should be inexpensive and it should be easy to replace when the timing belt is replaced. Remember to change all the seals. Ask for a timing belt component kit. Hope this helps someone in the future.

[sarki]

Damn crooks. I changed mine at 100k and it looked damn good. Almost didnt want to change it. Dealers suck. They told me i needed new tires one time and i started laughing. The tech looked at me with a serious face and asked " Why are you laughing " I said " My tires are Two weeks old you ass hole"!! He got mad and walked away. True story.

[alky181]

Toyota Recommends to change it at 105k. There is no way to see what the belt will look like before opening the timing cover. I have to agree with the dealer on this one.

[alky181]

BTW, if you have the 2.4L engine. It is chain driven and no need to change it.

[jimmm]

Nice. This thread was originally posted in April 2010 by Kathleen when she wrote she would have had her car for 6 years in August, and now a year later it has been revived with 5 postings (including mine). I wonder how Kathleen is doing on her 7th year?