Timing belt poll

My timing belt is 6 years old with around 48,000 miles on it. I believe Toyota initially recommended replacing it every 6-7 years before eventually modifying it to 9 years/90,000 miles.

I will hit 9 years before I hit 90k miles. I have inspected the belt recently and it appears fine. I may have a tiny water pump leak because I have to add a little coolant every 6-8 months.

 

I hate @Shifty, so I'm choosing the last option. Although if we want the option to be correct, since we have proof it's an interference engine, we should change that to "really isn't a high interference engine".

I notice the real @shifty` has started to modify his verbiage to specify "low interference" lately, after seeing enough folks snap their TB in low-RPM/low-TQ situations didn't brick their engine, and deciding to investigate how it's possible others weren't so lucky.

I just know me ... I wouldn't get that lucky. I plan to aim for 10 years with regular inspection, myself. It's a small price to pay once a decade. But "10yrs/10k miles with regular inspection" isn't on the list. Only the "OEM suggested 9yrs/90k miles".

 

You're gonna push it to 10? Balls of steel.

 

Did my first TB swap on mine at 212k miles. Bought it at 99k with no record of it being done. Had the parts for almost a year and finally but the bullet when the radiator needed to be replaced. Belt looked fine, so not sure if it was the OEM or if it had been done by prior owner

 

I've owned several cars with timing belts, and most of them had a recommended lifespan of 100k. As long as you're using OEM-quality parts, 100k is a safe bet.

I think where the line gets a little blurry is on age. Rubber ages, and part quality has decreased since 2000-2006. So the brand/origin of your part and the age of it will start becoming more of a factor.

Me? With the mileage I drive? I'll absolutely hit 10yrs before 100k miles. And at 10yrs, I'm going to make an assessment. I may just overhaul a lot of what's in the accessory drive so I have a baseline. That'll be 4-5 years from now.

 

I think I'm at 12 years and 150k on my 2nd timing belt. Dunno, the marking on the air filter has since disappeared from fading.

But I don't live in a hot dry environment which probably plays into the waiting game.

 

Did you just post a poll on a Thursday?

 

Fight me!!!

 

D. None of the above

 

On my 1997 T-100 with the 3.4L V6 I replaced the timing belt at 136,000 miles in 2005. I haven't done it since then and am at 272,000 miles.

I quizzed a coworker of mine that has a 2004 Tacoma, bought new, with the 3.4L V6 and 541,000 miles. He has never changed the timing belt.

 

I'm not gonna do mine. And probably have 4-5 years to find a 1vd* donor.

*or literally anything else.

 

That reminds me. There was a guy on the Facebook page that said he ran his belt 600k miles.

 

Some people like to talk, just to hear (/read) themselves.

I might be one of those people.

 

Rejoined this thread because of this comment. I am entertained.

I'd previously put it down once it was pointed out that someone who should know better, posted a 1st gen poll on a not-Friday. WTF?!! Too much fraternizing with Turd gen rabble and forgot his way, I think.

 

You actually inspect your timing belt? I just replace every 100k or sooner if there's oil and coolant leaking from the timing case like mine recently did at the 50k mark.

 

I tried to warn yall

 

Yeah but the gods at Toyota blessed the 5vz with non-interference

 

SINCE the belt is cheap enough... i tend to replace them every 7 years. but i am also my own tech... i just dont like dealing with headaches that can be avoided.


that being said i replaced one a few weeks ago, 330k miles 17 years old... they will survive a while..

 

I'm pretty sure I'm over 10 years. I picked up the truck in 2013. When I sold it back to my dad I doubt he did it while he had it for 3 years. I'm not sure when it was done before I owned it the 1st time.

 

Might wanna consider it before the next T2S. No one wants to break down in the desert, or on a hellacious incline

 

I just did my timing belt on my 01. The dealer did it around 50k and 11yrs ago and this time I did it myself at 100k. All in all it was a fairly easy job. The old belt looked fine but was starting to dry out and fading in color and 1 of the bearings was pretty rough when I spun it by hand. Also when I lined up the crank and cams before removal the belt was off about a half a tooth, Maybe the belt stretched? Got everything line up with the new belt and my rig runs great. There's a 3 part video on Youtube by Otramm that is great.

 

Getting my timing covers off may involve some additional mangling due to the corroded bolt heads that are exposed. Haven’t researched it in detail yet but I’ve already destroyed one in the process.

 

9 years with a caveat is my vote. Pull the cover back and lay eyes on it. Since you have a water pump leak, you might just go 90k.

I've replace 2 of them in the 100k area and I kind of felt like I was wasting my money based on the condition of the parts.

 

One hell of a first post! Welcome to the forum! Love your truck, cap looks great on it.

If anyone is interested, here are the 3pt videos @Delrod is talking about.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8DP4DrtQrE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faaiapF0snQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiOgACPh68k​

 

I bought mine at 208k miles and markings under the hood indicated the timing belt had been done once. By mileage it could've been due again. I took it to my trusted mechanic for a full check up right after I bought it. He opened it up and told me the timing belt looked really good, so we left it alone.

I had a magical demarcation in my mind at which I'd do it as preventative maintenance (like the deals we make with God during a turbulent flight), but I started getting anxious, weighing out how much I've spent on mods vs. the "insurance" costs of getting the belt replaced so I could stop worrying about it.

Went ahead and did it before this year's T2S so I could cross it off my list of bad things that could happen.

 

Wanna point out that rustynuts has a belt made of a timing belt, so if you're handy & wanna copycat, then its a good excuse as any. Bonus points for a classic seatbelt buckle.

 

Delivered to a guy in his 50s who has an 04? owned since new. Over 250k on the clock and he didn’t know there was a timing belt that needed to be replaced.

 

I have a feeling there are a LOT of 4.7's out there on their original belts.

 

and original spare tire.

 

Oh, I forgot lower ball joints as well because it wouldn't be a Toyota unless you drove it until the wheels fell off; quite literally.