Time for a new timing belt?

Timing belt on my new to me 2006 tundra double cab 4.7 pictured below, I bought the truck knowing that it would probably need it and was going to schedule it for a month out or so but I’m guessing this is probably a don’t drive unless you have to scenario?

Truck has 195k and I think this might be the original.

 

Your instincts are probably correct, that's pretty bad. Not worth the risk driving it if you don't have to IMO.

 

I would try not to even start it if you can avoid it.

 

Change the water pump, idlers and tensioner while you’re in there.

 

What part of the US are you from there? We’ve seen other Tundras here with similar mileage and age that looked a hell of a lot better.

 

One crank away from a new engine lol.

 

This ^^

Hey, if you like playing dice with death, go ahead, start it up. Holy shit man. That's one of the worst I've seen.

 

That is pretty worn. You should replace that as soon as possible.

I've seen some pictures of bad ones, that might be the worst.

 

Wisconsin

 

She did 60mi yesterday and 35 the day before and has another 30 to my mechanic so I guess I’ll pray on the truck.

 

There have been people who have snapped timing belts on the 4.7 without destroying the engine, but those situations are few and far between.

 

Yeah, and I think those were all pre VVT-I 4.7 engines

 

Other options...I have AAA. $100/year. If it were me, I'd have it towed to the shop. That thing might go another few thousand miles, or just break under it's own tension with the truck not even running tomorrow.

I got AAA when my Tacoma left me stranded on the side of the road for the first time in its life, at around 270,000 miles. $600 tow bill. Of course I haven't personally needed it since then, but I was riding with a friend who needed a 150 mile tow and I saved him $600.

Out here it's just too common to be a couple hundred miles from home on a regular basis. Tow costs are high. $100 a year is worth it to me, and I'd be making use of it if my belt looked like yours.

 

I would suggest new OEM only LBJs at same time or shortly thereafter the TB replacement.

 

^ all of the above.

Yikes. That's not a chance I'd take. Does your insurance cover towing?

 

I would seriously consider towing it. For real.

 

How do you assess the condition of a timing belt? You say it's the worse you've seen, what's a good one look like and what are the differences? To my untrained eye it looks like...a belt

 

Belt should be smooth and crack-free/wrinkle-free, but not overly shiny. It should have writing intact on it at various points on the belt for Left/Right/cam, and the text should be reasonably legible. If either is untrue, or the belt is frayed at the edges, replace the belt with genuine Aisin brand kit, but don't buy it off fleabay/scAmazon or any other store that can't legitimately validate its supply chain and/or won't be held accountable if you buy a counterfeit part.

Bad on left. Those cracks are not normal, neither is the sheen. Fresh new belt on right.

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Forum has been changed recently to reduce picture quality pretty significantly (or I hit a limit, not sure which), so here's a closer pic of good belt.

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It should have no cracks, not be very shiny (sign of wear) and be somewhat flexible.

As it ages and wears it goes from a matte finish to shiny and becomes harder/less flexible. Cracks are a giant warning sign.

 

Mitsuboshi is the belt brand provided in the aisin kits.

But yes, get the whole Aisin kit with water pump, idlers & tensioner.

 

Yup, meant 'kit' not belt twice. Thanks for catching it, edited.

 

When I was a Tech many moons ago, the rule of thumb was to change them when they started to crack on the inside between the cogs. Seeing cracks on the outside should be a flashing neon sign that its way overdue.

 

I am not moving my Tundra unless I pull or push it until I get that timing belt replaced.

I'm not risking another engine start. Previous owner didn't change the belt, no idea if the first owner ever changed it, naturally neither one of them kept a maintenance logbook, and mine has 201,000 miles.

Once this week of rain is over (thank you God for sending us the rain!) and the ground firms up again, mine is getting rollbacked to a dealership for a belt change.

I'd play it safe if I were you.

 

Wow thanks for the pics, yeah I see it now. I thought those cracks were the rubber teeth on the other side

 

I just replaced mine at 100,000 miles. It had no cracks or obvious signs of wear.

If you can see signs of wear or cracking IMO you are well past the time for replacement. Yours is scary bad