Timing belt...is it really neccessary to change at 60K?

[mattyboyl]

I bring this up because I am at the 60K mark and I understand that Toyotas are built like tanks. Are there any horror stories regarding timing belts snapping and destroying the engine? I understand that maintainence is good insurance, but I wanted to get a consensus here on the board regarding whether 60K was too soon or whether this is something that should just be checked routinely and when there is noticable wear, replace it?

[Biggi_e]

no i dont think it is. i got mine done around close to 90k its up to you though.

[Gangis]

It depends on which engine you have. The 4cyl has a timing chain so it doesn't need to be replaced. However, the 3.3L V6 on the Gen2/2.5 is an interference engine with a timing belt so if the belt snaps, you can and will seriously screw up the engine due to it being interference. With that said, 90k is usually the latest you can wait to change it.

[Ilovemylara]

The 1mz-fe is a non-interference engine.. Therefore if the belt breaks, your will not get destroyed. Most motors that are interference, use timing chains.

[dan99solara]

change it when toyota says to change it. around 90k-100k.

[Gangis]

The 1mz-fe is a non-interference engine.. Therefore if the belt breaks, your will not get destroyed. Most motors that are interference, use timing chains.

Yes, the 1MZ-FE is a non-interference engine, but the Gen 2 and 2.5 have a 3MZ-FE which are interference engines driven by a timing belt, not a chain. This IS the Gen 2 and 2.5 forum, after all.

[Jakecallun20]

Yep. I changed my factory timing belt on my 1MZ-FE at 145k with a gates belt. With a 3MZ though, I'd reccomend at about 95k miles, its really not worth destroying your engine, and having to pay (that wouldn't be under warranty).

[youngblood]

90k miles for 3mz. Why do anything other than what your owner's manual recommends? I do understand the confusion, though, when a dealer is telling you something contradictory that manual.
Seriously- do it @ 90k. You'll be just fine. You can also have them take care of replacing your super-long-life coolant and maybe spark plugs at that time.

[Ilovemylara]

ah ok.. my bad then

[liltimmy1313]

yea 90-100k is the general rule

[crispone]

I work the motor and transmission to the rpm trippers regularly, and when I changed mine at 80K or so, it was still in "near perfect appearance" according to my shop. (Not dealer) They still encourage this interval, and I ALWAYS do my critical maintenance according to Toyota. I ALSO had the water pump and idler changed, along with ALL other belts at that time. (Just happened to be at the PAPER THIN wear point on my front pads as well, so I had a COMPLETE brake job done with all Toyota parts.)

UNDER a grand for it all, WITH a light turn on all rotors, and my mechanic even greased the pistons in the calipers while they were down. Brakes behave BETTER than when purchased new.

I remember SNAPPING my T-belt on the '84 Supra at about 97k miles many years ago... GOOD thing it was NON-interference!!! A tow, about $375... and I was back on the road. (OLD days price...)

...I thought I had BLOWN the motor at first! (Snapped at TOP of 4th gear near redline... just entering Dayton Ohio SB on I-75. I remember the R's just DROPPING to ZILCH... and losing all power. Freaky! ...yeah, I know... I would have been in triple digits... )



-crisp

[mattyboyl]

Thanks guys.. Good feedback.

[ulbhpy]

It is clear that 3MZ-FE has a a interference engine and timing belt needs to be changed at 90,000miles.

I just bought a 04 Solara SE Conv with 131000 miles from a dealer. The engine is very clean and sounds smooth. I do not know if timing belt has been changed or not. I could not find any sticker indicating that it has been.

Is there a way to check by removing timing belt cover? I am a DIY guy. How difficult is it to do this engine timing belt?

Thank you in advance.

[crispone]

It is clear that 3MZ-FE has a a interference engine and timing belt needs to be changed at 90,000miles.

I just bought a 04 Solara SE Conv with 131000 miles from a dealer. The engine is very clean and sounds smooth. I do not know if timing belt has been changed or not. I could not find any sticker indicating that it has been.

Is there a way to check by removing timing belt cover? I am a DIY guy. How difficult is it to do this engine timing belt?

Thank you in advance.

There will be NO WARNING just before it "snaps" if and when it fails. Visual inspection is VERY LIMITED and will ONLY tell you one is VERY WORN if it IS in bad shape. If it isn't SHOWING any wear... that means LITTLE relative actual miles on the belt and fatigue potential in near future.

I would try to find out IF it had been done, and if you CAN'T find out for sure, then at 131k miles, it may not be worth the risk! (MANY motors make it to that point and don't fail even when not changed... but the inevitable could occur on your next drive.)

G/L!


-crisp