Signs of a 90k mile service

[KlausVanWinkle]

Hey guys. I searched but couldn't find a thread about this.

Does anybody know a way to tell if a 90k mile service has been performed?

Are there stickers that are replaced? Or can someone take a picture of their timing belt so I know what to look for?

As some of you may know, I've been on a cruiser hunt for a few months. My civic's steering rack just went to s*** to so I need to find a cruiser asap.

The one I've been looking at for 9 months as been sitting on a dealers lot and they keep lowering the price. I'm hoping to get it for cheap because of how long it's been there and rising gas prices.

It's a 2000 w/ 94k miles. Has a clean 1 owner carfax but no service records. But somehow the dealership claims to know that the 90k mile service has been done. I doubt they'll let me unbolt things so is there a way to tell if the belt and water pump have been replaced?

 

[spikey]

My mechanic put a sticker on the firewall. I don't know if that is standard.

PS Be prepared for sticker shock at the Sunoco, going from a civic to a cruiser

 

[patrickfinley]

It's very common to see Cruisers for sale around the 90k mark. Owners who have been on the fence with gas prices see the potential upcoming repair bill and decide to sell or trade it in. It would be very rare for an owner to fix the timing belt then sell it. Find out if the LC was picked up at auction or if it was a direct trade in, the dealership would be able to tell you that. If it was a direct trade in they should be able to tell you for sure if the belt was changed.

Perhaps get the dealership to put it in writing that the timing belt has been changed. If it turns out it's an old belt then you have a letter that gets you a new timing belt.

 

[KlausVanWinkle]

My mechanic put a sticker on the firewall. I don't know if that is standard.

PS Be prepared for sticker shock at the Sunoco, going from a civic to a cruiser

For real. I'm moving to LA though. So my commute will be like 5 miles and everyone gets terrible gas mileage because of the traffic. Guys on here have said that they still get 13-15mpg in LA traffic.

And after 8 years of an old civic. It's time for something different.

 

[KlausVanWinkle]

It's very common to see Cruisers for sale around the 90k mark. Owners who have been on the fence with gas prices see the potential upcoming repair bill and decide to sell or trade it in. It would be very rare for an owner to fix the timing belt then sell it. Find out if the LC was picked up at auction or if it was a direct trade in, the dealership would be able to tell you that. If it was a direct trade in they should be able to tell you for sure if the belt was changed.

Perhaps get the dealership to put it in writing that the timing belt has been changed. If it turns out it's an old belt then you have a letter that gets you a new timing belt.

That's a good idea. The carfax says that it was bought at auction. Used cars from dealerships have to come with a 3 month/3,000 mile warranty. So I think the letter idea would work.

I'd really like to have it inspected at a local toyota service center before buying. Does anyone have experience with organizing that?

 

[patrickfinley]

You can make an appointment with any Toyota dealership for a purchase inspection. It costs around $100 and take about 1.5 hrs. Let the service manager know your timing belt concerns.

 

[hankinid]

I'd really like to have it inspected at a local toyota service center before buying. Does anyone have experience with organizing that?

IF the timing belt was done by a Toyota dealer, you'll see the service on the car's service history...A Toy dealer can print the history for you once they see the VIN number.

If the belt was done by an indy mechanic, he should have left a sticker noting date and mileage somewhere under the hood...you get the sticker when you get the timing belt replacement kit. Check your water pump and serpentine belt, as they're usually done with the timing belt.

hth

steve

 

[agaisin]

Here's a picture of what the timing belt sticker looks like (not on our vehicle but you get the idea):

(Picture copied from here:
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl...ge=2&ndsp=35&ved=1t:429,r:19,s:36&tx=81&ty=42)

in this picture it's on the v bank cover but iirc the sticker says to put it on the timing belt cover (can't remember whether it said to put it on the no1 or no2). I guess people put 'em in different places.

Given that it would have probably been done withint the past ~4k, I think an experienced tech would be able to find signs whether the T Belt (and other parts like idlers, tensioners, water pump) was done. So as someone else recommended I would take it to a shop to inspect for you. The T Belt wouldn't be visible without taking off one or more of the covers. The drive belt is visible but also won't tell you anything about whether or not the T Belt was done - a new drive belt does not necessarily mean new T Belt. And also, new T Belt does not necessarily mean water pump and thermostat and other parts were done. T Belt is the most important there - I believe other parts would give warning signs b/f catastrophic failure (water pump would typically leak first and you'd typically hear the bearings b/f the idlers fail) which (I speculate) is why only the TBelt is required to be replaced based on years/miles whereas the other parts - even though they are often done with the TB service, according to the FSM they are only replaced as needed based on inspection.

Anyhow, some examples of what the tech might look for: there is very crisp/clear text on new belts and the idlers wear that off - with < 4k I would think (but can't say for certain) that the text would still be bright/crisp. Other parts in the engine bay that are old would have enough dust and grime collected on it such that a nice/new/shiny idler pulley or water pump would probably stand out as new.

If you take a look at the timing belt writeups in the faqs, you'll see some great examples of the timing belt and drive belt before and after.
ppressle posted his pics here: http://www.pbase.com/ppressle/land_cruiser_timing_belt
spressomon posted great pics in his writeup and here's an example of the clear lettering on the T Belt: https://forum.ih8mud.com/100-series-cruisers/148025-90k-starter-replacement-job.html#post2034287
scottm posted great pics as well and here are some examples of how illegible the text on the old T Belt is: https://forum.ih8mud.com/100-series-cruisers/431177-timing-belt-dummies-writeup.html#post6049773 and how clear the lettering on a new drive belt is: https://forum.ih8mud.com/100-series-cruisers/431177-timing-belt-dummies-writeup.html#post6049821

Courtesy of ppressle again:
Old Water Pump -> http://www.pbase.com/ppressle/image/54335245
New Water Pump -> http://www.pbase.com/ppressle/image/54335243

And hey if it aint obviously new I would just assume it wasn't done (i.e. that it was dumped b/f the service was done).

 

[Griffin]

I have the same sticker located nearly in the same spot. Has date, mileage at the time, and "timing belt" written on it.

 

[LCHardriver_02]

Same here.

 

[tabraha]

Mine is in a little different spot, and my engine is a little more "seasoned" looking too but figured the pic would be better than my description:

[/IMG]

 

[MadTripper]

Mine is on the engine cover. It's the little rectangle about dead center of the photo.

Tripper

 

[ebod]

For what it's worth, I get 10-11 in LA traffic (all city, mainly short trips).

 

[SkyTim]

Don't get your hopes up on the 90K. Realistically, the chances that the 90K were completed are nearly zero. Don't waste your time searching for physical evidence unless you are hoping for a miracle.

1. If the selling dealer had proof of 90K, they would show you. Verbal assurance is meaningless. A car bought at auction has no documents. Used car salesmen lie routinely.

2. As was said by another poster, the chance that the previous owner would do the 90K and then sell is very low.

3. If the 90K was done, the chance of the sticker being placed as described would be very high.

If you can't find verifiable proof it was completed, proceed with the assumption that the 90K was not done and try to make a deal.

 

[KlausVanWinkle]

Thanks for your help. Y'all are probably right that it hasn't been done. If it's any good, I'll just assume it hasn't when making an offer.

Im really in a jam with needing a new car and don't really want another civic or something right now. Also looking at a 4runner but it's also older 2003 89k needs tbelt. I'd be for another Honda if it were stick shift but in LA Traffic, a manual might suck more than getting 13mpg.

 

[e9999]

flat out tell the seller that you will assume the work still has to be done unless they can prove otherwise, and base your offer on that. Normal business approach, they won't be surprised (although they may play heartbroken). Don't mention the sticker to them in case they don't know, just check yourself discreetly.

 

[Griffin]

there were, probably still are, two cruiser in the St. Louis area, one in Pittsburgh, and two - including the one i bought - within an hour of Tampa, FL. Prices ranged from 15k to 13.5k, mileage ranged from 112k to 147k....or something like that.

I called them all, haggled some, mainly over the major service, and ended up at $11.5k for the one I bought. It was from a private seller, so that automatically saved me from all the fees.

I felt like it was a reasonable purchase amount, especially considering it came with a receipt from a 2k major service. Even called the local dealership to double verify all the services.

Pointing out the obvious here, but those were the steps I took two months ago before settling on which LC to buy. Once I set my budget, it was a matter of finding one with the major service complete. Of the five I narrowed it down to, only one had the major service. Real nice lady I bought it from, and the purchase amount ended up being lower than those without the major service. The buy was for the LC with 112k miles, too. The way I look at it, the money saved will go towards a new suspension, wheels, and tires and eventually sliders. Good deals are out there.

 

[cstu]

For real. I'm moving to LA though. So my commute will be like 5 miles and everyone gets terrible gas mileage because of the traffic. Guys on here have said that they still get 13-15mpg in LA traffic.

And after 8 years of an old civic. It's time for something different.

You'll be lucky to get 13...my average is 12.

 

[mint400]

over

fyi... I kept my civic... damn thing pays for itself over and over and over... wish it had ac though!

 

[KlausVanWinkle]

fyi... I kept my civic... damn thing pays for itself over and over and over... wish it had ac though!

I wish I could. Rack and pinion is busted, muffler rotted out again, and a whole bunch of small things. Anyone wants it, they can have it for $1000.

Thank you all for the help. Unfortunately neither of them were any good.

Looked at 2 2000's today. neither had 90k mile service. This dealer wanted $13,900 for a 2000 navy blue w/96k, no 90k mile service, bald tires, only 1 valet key, stuck parking brake, lots of scratches and a dirty interior and wouldn't budge on price. That's like $2000 worth of work to get it to normal operating conditions.

The other one had rust on the tail gate, on the hinges of the seats, tape and cd didn't work, the manuals were all wilted looking and a broke DVD player hanging from the ceiling. No good.

I found a couple other prospects that are too far away to look at. I'll move that to the buy selling thread.