Timing Belt Failure. Anyone ever had one?
- Thread starter Muddy Bean
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Do your 100 a favor and change it. It's not a cheap car and deserves the best maintenance.
I just purchased a 2005 LC that only had 12,201 miles on it when I drove it from my neighbors driveway to mine. He had it serviced once a year at the time of registration/inspection renewal at our local dealership (oil change etc.). It obviously is running the original timing belt. With only 12K miles on the timing belt I would love to hear some opinions on when the time to replace would be since it is eight years old. Many thanks!
The maintenance schedule does state: 72 months or 90,000 miles, rubber ages. That said we've seen a number of non VVT-i (pre 2005) break TB under load with no damage.
Wow great find, can we ask how much did you get it for?
Wow great find, can we ask how much did you get it for?
$30K, I know I probably paid too much for it but I really wanted it and plan to drive it for a long time. It never sat for long, it was driven at least every other day though they were obviously short trips; garaged the rest of the time. The 2nd and third row had never been sat in and the rear carpet is still rolled up with plastic around it. I am pretty excited about the truck, looks and feels new and looks great in my driveway next to my 1985 FJ60. Now I've got to dump my brides Tahoe!
You belt will be fine. If you're concerned you can remove the PS cover to see what she looks like. If rubber is coming off or is cracking then it would be a good idea to do so, but I highly doubt this is the case with an OE belt. FWIW, mine made it to 13 years without problem. By that standard you have at least 5 years to go.
As I stated in the buy/sell thread, I think the reason for an early belt job on that rig would be to replace the seals early; front main, cam, water pump and gasket, etc. That's the primary concern with a vehicle that sits. However, it sounds like that particular vehicle was driven several times a week, albeit with low miles, so it's highly unlikely that there is anything to make her cranky in t-belt land. Again, remove the cover and if you see any wetness or cracking of the belt then an early belt job would be warranted.
Edit new/old belts:
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Thanks again for input, OregonLC!
I just bought a 2006 with 87K. Will I be good until 95K or so on the timing belt and or 90K mile service? Whats your professional opinion?
You will probably be good until 180k. I did mine at 95k and 13 years. 90k is multiple standard deviations below MTBF. You're fine. Don't sweat it one bit. More important is to do a thorough job when you do it including pump and pulleys, all OEM.
I think Toyota recommends changing to soon for my driving style. That said, some go in deep water, drive like race car, in sandy dusty condition, in 20 below weather, heat of desert and manufacturing runs of belt vary as well.
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I changed my timing belt at 186k after 15 years.
It was the original belt.
It had lots of cracks in the rubber and the teeth were getting worn.
But it did not break, or cause any kind of problems.
I'll try to post some pictures of the old belt later.
The old belt looks pretty bad, but it never broke and the truck always ran fine.
It was the original belt.
It had lots of cracks in the rubber and the teeth were getting worn.
But it did not break, or cause any kind of problems.
I'll try to post some pictures of the old belt later.
The old belt looks pretty bad, but it never broke and the truck always ran fine.
Thanks! Sounds good. I thought about changing the TB and water pump around 100-120K. Just wanted to make sure I wasn't crazy for waiting that long.
I was at ACC Toyota this weekend and was talking with Mike T. I asked him about the timing belt failures and he stated they are very rare. I asked him about the belt possibly skipping a tooth, or snapping under normal driving with a belt in good condition.
He made a very good point that I never thought about, and most of us probably never thought about. The Toyota coolant is very unique, and unlike most coolants that weep out and drip, the Toyota coolant crystallizes. When the water pump begins to leak, the coolant forms a stalactite in the timing belt area, and when it gets large and heavy, it can break off and get pulled into the belt. Causing it to jump a tooth, or snap. You cannot physically inspect that area, but I would be safe to assume that is probably what has happened to a few of you that have had random belt failures, or belts skipping a tooth. When I did my timing belt I found small chunks of crystallized coolant as well as my water pump fan blade missing a few blades.
Thoughts on that theory? I like that theory more than the mouse that found it's way in there.
He made a very good point that I never thought about, and most of us probably never thought about. The Toyota coolant is very unique, and unlike most coolants that weep out and drip, the Toyota coolant crystallizes. When the water pump begins to leak, the coolant forms a stalactite in the timing belt area, and when it gets large and heavy, it can break off and get pulled into the belt. Causing it to jump a tooth, or snap. You cannot physically inspect that area, but I would be safe to assume that is probably what has happened to a few of you that have had random belt failures, or belts skipping a tooth. When I did my timing belt I found small chunks of crystallized coolant as well as my water pump fan blade missing a few blades.
Thoughts on that theory? I like that theory more than the mouse that found it's way in there.
A timing belt should be good for 150,000-200,000 miles. Provided the coolant is maintained and your driving habits are conservative. Hard off road use and pulling heavy loads will certainly reduce the belts life and should be changed sooner. I suspect Toyota recommends 90,000 mile changes using an average based on many driver characteristics and climates. Hard driving in parts of the world that are extreme may not necessarily apply to what we do in the USA. The US climate is considered mild compared to those along the equator and far northern countries. The constant fear of timing belt failure might not be justified. If you are driving what are considered roads in Africa, Central and South America, change it at 90,000 miles for good reason.
Just my opinion.
Just my opinion.
What is your theory on 'heavy loads' and belt life? Heat?
It's dependent on your type of driving. Do you pull heavy trailers, boats, campers? Do you drive in mountainous areas that test your cooling system? Do you drive many hours in extreme heat? It depends on the individual and his driving habits and conditions.
Most drivers don't subject their vehicles to extreme conditions. Those that do, know it takes a toll on their vehicle and maintains them appropriately. The daily driver that rarely gets off road, makes up the majority of those visiting this site. Others take their Cruisers to the limit and must pay more attention to maintenance.
Again, it's only an opinion and subject to discussion.
Most drivers don't subject their vehicles to extreme conditions. Those that do, know it takes a toll on their vehicle and maintains them appropriately. The daily driver that rarely gets off road, makes up the majority of those visiting this site. Others take their Cruisers to the limit and must pay more attention to maintenance.
Again, it's only an opinion and subject to discussion.
They are supposed to do that.
Just had ours done at 162k after I found out it was the original belt etc.(passenger cover removal is very easy to check this). Belt had surface cracks but there were no signs that it would give out anytime soon. Only reason for checking was we were loosing a bit of coolant now and then and I had a suspicion it may not have been done contrary to what I was told. Water pump was definitely leaking a little so glad I checked and were set for another 100k.
As for age effecting the belt, my supra is 20 years old and has 57k miles on it and the belt on that does look a little weathered due to age but nothing compared to how the 162k mile LX belt looked. Since that ones non-interference I will probably let that one go a little longer.
As for age effecting the belt, my supra is 20 years old and has 57k miles on it and the belt on that does look a little weathered due to age but nothing compared to how the 162k mile LX belt looked. Since that ones non-interference I will probably let that one go a little longer.