Anyone change timing belt based on time vs mileage?

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My new to me 1999 with a inservice date of 4/1999 but only 58K miles. So its been 6 years but not 90K miles. I did a search but did not find a thread discussing this issue. Any one know if time is a problem for the timing belt?
 
I would think time would be an issue with a rubber component in a heated environment like that. How much time; I have no idea.
 
Age should not be a problem for the timing belt because Toyota uses a very robust belt and it is shielded from the elements. Belt life could be shortened if oil or anti-freeze were leaking onto the belt. If you want more piece of mnd, it is fairly easy to remove one of the upper plastic timing belt covers to inspect the belt. I've seen timing belts on industrial machinery run ten years or more in some fairly nasty environments.
 
Just like people have gone 180k+ miles on their original T-belt, you could probably go a couple more years on your T-belt. Toyota does give an interval of 6yr/90k. I bet that 6 years is for extreme environment. Not sure if Arizona counts as extreme though. It's hot and dry.

Personally, if I was keeping the vehicle more than 25k miles, I'd probably just do the service. It's either now or later. Might as well be now and give you some peace of mind. Then you'll be good till 148k miles.
 
All the belts changed on this board looked healthy at the 90k (and some older) interval and they were they were the same ages as yours is now. I'm in no rush to change mine on my 98. It's a pretty expensive/time consuming service for preventitive maintnence.

Just run up the miles pretty quick doing all the long road trips you bought the cruiser for and you should be good.
 
The T-belt on my 01 was changed at 95K and was in great shape. If I ever have another 100 w/comperable service/milage conditions I will not be nearly as worried as I was.
 
hoser said:
Just like people have gone 180k+ miles on their original T-belt, you could probably go a couple more years on your T-belt. Toyota does give an interval of 6yr/90k. I bet that 6 years is for extreme environment. Not sure if Arizona counts as extreme though. It's hot and dry.

[snip]

If it helps, I had an original upper radiator hose in an old 4runner last 14 yrs of coastal CA and WA driving. After replacing it at 125K mi w/ an OEM hose and adding a header, I drove it 23K more miles in CA, then moved to southern AZ. It only lasted an additional 2.5 yrs (35K mi) until it started to leak. I might add it is near the header, so it's probably took more heat, but the parts guy at the local dealer here says radiator hoses don't last as long in AZ due to the heat. Now if you pop your hood open after every day and vent our your garage, my guess is one's belts/hoses/battery would last a lot longer than if you merely parked in a garage in 105F temps and closed the garage door, in which case the temp rises to like 115F due to the engine heat.
 

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