Timing belt shape at 37K and 8 years for reference.

I had the timing belt done on my Tundra at the Toyota dealership. A couple people asked to post pictures. It has 37K on it but was 8 years old. Im a little disappointed because it appears to still be good shape. Others would know better than me but I feel like I could of gotten a few more years out of it. No cracks or real signs of age. I wish would have pulled the cover back as some suggested and inspected.

 

Ya, sure you COULD have gone longer but an OZ of prevention…especially on an interference motor.
You did the right thing IMO.

 

That looks really good for an 8 year old belt. I am actually more impressed that you only have 37k on it in 8 years - I do about 26k a year.

On my last Tacoma I replaced the belt at 126k miles at 16 years old. It started falling apart at that point and was risky to drive like that, so it is probably worth replacing it sooner.

 

That's about how mine looked at 42k and 20+ years. Sucks but you can't beat (1) peace of mind and (2) having someone to sue if it pops on you in the next year or so : )

 

How much is a timing belt and water pump replacement cost at the dealership these days? I'm due

 

Not sure about dealership, but I'd estimate about $1000-$1200

 

I paid $1400 not at a dealer parts and labor.

 

Thanks for posting. I am in the same position, 10 years and 25 K miles. I'm not surprised that it looks good, every timing belt I've replaced on cars and motorcycles over the years, have looked to be in pretty good condition. Very tough belts apparently.

 

Same plus a little more because I got all fluids drained and filled and some other little stuff.

 

I paid $994 at the dealership. But I was quoted as much as $1600 at a local shop. So I guess it just depends.

 

I paid around $1300 at a non-dealership for a new belt, water pump, coolant flush, and oil change.

 

Yup, like I said Always inspect and act based on that.

I refuse the change prior to 10yrs unless I see visual reasons. But I'd only trust this advice if I *KNEW* someone used authentic OEM Toyota or Aisin parts to do the job. I'd be checking the belt yearly starting 1yr from install if not.

That's actually a pretty damn good price for OEM. My locals are on avg around $1400, IIRC. But I'd still doublecheck the crank position harness to make sure they tucked it away properly...

 

I would rather pull off a perfect belt that has been replaced than have a broken one in my hand and the engine ruined.

 

Based on your pictures I think I'll do mine at 9 years(2026). Like you, I will hit the age limit before 90k miles.

 

Looks great. Print is still on it. I'm not changing mine again for 150k. Interference or not, it is a waste of money.

 

I don't know how old mine was, but at 260k, it had a crack at every tooth. Possibly original.

 

Great idea!

You must really have a lot of money to waste if you are going to gamble like that.

 

I bet it was the OG belt. They can last a long time.

 

For real, Kevlar-level

 

I only say that because the few I've replaced have been in pretty decent shape at 90,000. And by decent shape, they looked fantastic.

The kits to replace timing belts aren't cheap either. I think 90,000 is a little too cautious in most cases. The last one I replaced I was wondering, man, why am I even doing this now?

It's all preference.

 

Just bought a 04 highlander for my soon to be driving daughter. With no record of the belt being done, it’s top of the list. 19 years old, 224k.

 

Less than $200 shipped from rock auto plus some coolant, so sub $300 for 9 years is pretty cheap.

 

Great vehicle, I'm thinking RAV4 for ours at this point. I don't want them hauling around the whole neighborhood.

We had one of the generation after what you just bought, I think, 2012 or 13 Limited. Sold it to our friends next door for $12k cash with 68k miles because their x5 kept breaking down, and his 540i shit the bed, they aren't mechanically inclined and were spending thousands more per year on repairs than they'd spend on a car payment. Since they got the Highlander, it's had zero issues. BMW x5 has been in the shop, last time for suspension, One shop wanted $6k, told 'em just to sell it, "struts are defective, everything needs to be replaced". A Good year chain looked at it, said $4,800. Private shop said $1,700. I think they're crazy, but they're gonna pay it and keep the damn thing.

 

Thanks! Mine gets about 5K/yr as well so I was curious about durability also.

 

On my 1997 T100 with the 3.4L V6 I have 140,000 miles and 18 years on my current (2nd one) timing belt. Genuine Mama Toyota. Looked at it last fall and it looked great. So onward is my projection.

But remember what your mother told you: YMMV.

 

I don’t even bother looking at the belt when I know I’m due. That’s because the vast majority of failures on vehicles (not just Toyotas) are with the water pump and tensioner (anything with bearings) while the belt looks great. The only failure I’ve ever had was a tensioner (on an old 80’s Civic hatch I had), and it gave no signs before it went. Not observing maintenance schedules is playing Russian Roulette. JMO