Messed up engine = Expensive Repair

[TRD_solaRa]

Sup guys & galz,
Well, back around mid-August my timing belt snapped somehow . . . I wasn't even pounding my car or anything either, it just sounded weird when I started up my car and I drove for a bit and the car jus turned off about 30 ft. from my friends house! Weird. . But yea, I had to replace all these parts:

-BELT, VANE PUMP
-BELT, V ALTERNATOR
-BELT, TIMING
-IDLER S/A, TIMING BE (?don't know this one?)
-IDLER S/A, TIMING BELT
-PUMP ASSY, WATER
-SEAL, TYPE T OIL (x2)
-SENSOR, CRANK POSITIVE
-COVER S/A, TIMING BELT

So basically, it was the Timing Belt, Timing Belt Idler, Timing Belt NO2 Idler (sensor), Time-Gear Cover ASY, Water Pump and I needed new Crankshift Front Oil Seal. I was lucky that my mom and I know some people so we only paid $616.40 (labor) & none for parts (= about $1080)

I was wondering if this ever happened to you guys?

[Rudy]

how many miles did you go without changing the belt?

[HKSV6SLE]

i changed my belt early to avoid that problem.

[Dawgz]

i have like 45k on the car, what milage do u change the belt?

[ICrazyChrisI]

I've been told anything between 75k and 90k is recommended, anything past that is pushing your luck. I did mine at 70k, cost me about $500 for the timing belt, water pump, fluid change, all that stuff.

[jim@foreignaffairs]

We had a V6 Camry in last week with a seized water pump. Man did that burn up the belt, all the tensioners etc. Similar to what happened to you. Must have gotten red hot as the belt was melted into a gob. About 120K miles on the car, we charged about 750 to fix. If you hear the water pump making noise, fix it soon!

Jim

[Rudy]

toyota says 90K miles.

[Jackass-Jeff]

Toyota may say 90, but that's assuming "regular driving conditions". I would go around 80 to be safe =P 70/75 if you're a crazy driver!!

YAY for 2AZ T-Chains =D

[TRD_solaRa]

Sheeeeeeeit I only have 36,000 miles on my car TOTAL!! That's why I was like WTF!? All you guys on the mainland have like 80k-over 100k miles and my baby has a mere 36,000 miles or so. Weird

Oh yea, they flushed me with new radiator fluid too . . . but that was free.

[JoKo]

Oh wow, I got 95k miles and stock timing belt.... oh wow im getting it changed very very soon

[5S-FZE]

weird stuff man but ! it could happen.. couldve just been one of them defective monkey parts

[Hsakuragi]

99 with 36miles? u don't drive a lot huh?

[TRD_solaRa]

99 with 36miles? u don't drive a lot huh?

When I got the car back in August 2003 it only had 12,925 miles on it. So I got it with super super low mileage . . . kinna why I got it in the first place. But yea, I've put on about 24,000 miles or so. But I'm Boulder, Colorado right now for college. Plus I do live on a island . . .

[Delshin]

Well I have a 99 with 43k, and if it happened to you in the 30's then I'm gonna have mine looked at. I wonder if age of the car also plays a factor. I mean I don't drive much, but the care has still been in the elements for years so to speak, hot cold ect. *shrugs*

Any mechs in the MASS area *grin*

[TheTamago]

My dealer special flyers say change timing belt b4 60K miles. But considering its Arizona, you gotta assume we're already living in horrid conditions with tons of dust blowing and avg 100°F heat during the day.
I finally made past 50K on my 2000 and my next tune up is at 51K. I'll probably be changing my timing belt by then. Considering i'm holding off my purchase on my Tein SS C/Os till then. At least I don't suffer a big empty wallet with an I4 engine unlike V6 engine maintenance Sucks though. my Regards from a former Islander!