Timing belt

[fdeck]

Is there anything that would cause a 2005 Toyota minivan with 45k miles to need a new timing belt? The scheduled replacement is at 90k miles.

The dealer told me that the belt is "worn" and should be replaced. I am deeply skeptical.

[T-Bird]

Hi.

If the dealer says so, I'd go for it.

I have overhauled enough engines where the timing belt has snapped for a reason or another, and I can tell You, THAT gets expensive, fast. The Diesels are worst obviously, but modern high-compression gasoline engines will self destruct too.

As for the reasons, there's plenty.

First one that comes to my mind is engine coolant or oil. Either from a spill or from a faulty gasket.

Second is some strong engine compartment cleaner, used heavy handedly, and left there to sit in a bit longer than necessary.

Dirt, dust, gravel, etc. that works its way inside the timing cover will do damage as well.

An inferior or faulty timing belt or pulleys isn't out of the question either.

I'd be "happy" that the problem was noticed in time. Like said, it's like the rubber/bungee cord joke, but in theis case it's the engine that dies when the rubber snaps. Most of the modern engines are totaled when the timing belt breaks IME.

Regards
Sam

[Linas]

Why are they looking at your timing belt in the first place? I usually change mine at 50k intervals, but thats what volvo recommends. Depending on what you took the car in for, i would be skeptical, but T-bird is right. If your t-belt breaks, chances are your going to break everything in your engine.

[Pilgrim]

Grab a shop manual and take your own look at it if possible. If you see cracks or other visible indication of wear, replace it. At 45K it certainly should not need replacement, but that doesn't mean it isn't worn. Average service life is only an average - there are outlier examples on each end of that average. If you can't do that, take it to an independent shop and have them check it. Simple.

If the timing belt breaks, your car stops. Period. It won't run until the belt is replaced. If you have a non-interference engine, you only pay for the tow to a shop and the belt replacement. But if you have an interference engine, when the belt breaks the pistons hit the valves and you are in for a major head/valve job at probably 4x the cost of the belt.

[embellisher]

Find out if your head is interference or non interference. Most Hondas and some Toyotas are non interference. If the belt breaks, the car won't run, but it doesn't damage anything. I would find it hard to believe that the belt is worn at 45K miles, unless you have another problem which exposed the belt to premature wear.

[NJL]

i wonder why some vehicles have a rubber belt instead of a chain??

anyway, bump and subscribe... i haven't checked out the shop manual on my truck, but i'm almost certain that it has a rubber belt, whereas my bike has a chain for sure (i'm about to do a head job on it)...

good luck!

[seanm]

Originally Posted by NJL

i wonder why some vehicles have a rubber belt instead of a chain??

Weight . You get a bit more performance out of a belt than a chain. When you are trying to use the smallest engine possible, it makes a difference.

[EagleMoon]

I just had to have my timing belt replaced because it had cracks in it. Most likely due to an extremely dry summer last year and a very cold winter this year. Or at least that's what they told me. I did see the cracks. My car has just passed the 40,000 mile mark.

[hbarcat]

Originally Posted by NJL

i wonder why some vehicles have a rubber belt instead of a chain??

Chains wear out, too. But instead of breaking, they stretch and become loose, which adversely affects timing. If it wears out enough it will jump teeth.

Chains also rob more engine power than belts due to friction.

Still, I'd rather have the chain. I don't like the idea of having a major engine component designed to be one moment away from failure.

[Mike N]

Originally Posted by fdeck

Is there anything that would cause a 2005 Toyota minivan with 45k miles to need a new timing belt? The scheduled replacement is at 90k miles.

The dealer told me that the belt is "worn" and should be replaced. I am deeply skeptical.

I'd be skeptical, too. Ask them to show you the belt, and ask them why they were pulling the covers off to inspect the belt in the first place.

[toytech]

at 45k it is not due by either age or miles, sounds fishy to me. We don't pull timing covers to inspect unless someone pays us to. You still have 2 years or 45k to normal service interval, and a non interference motor. (valves don't hit if belt breaks).
Find a different dealer or at least a different service advisor.

[Figjam]

My timing belt broke on my 94 camry at 150k. I had already replaced it not long ago, around 120k. It broke because of some other reason. Ruined my engine/.car.


sucks

[Phalex]

Originally Posted by NJL

i wonder why some vehicles have a rubber belt instead of a chain??

I wonder why more vehicles don't use timing gears?

[NJL]

Originally Posted by Phalex

I wonder why more vehicles don't use timing gears?

yeah, no kidding!!

[ulrich]

Originally Posted by Phalex

I wonder why more vehicles don't use timing gears?

Gears are fine for stone age, push rod engines, but you'd have to use large, or multiple gears to get to an over-head cam.

Why don't more engines use bevel drive?

[lousybassplayer]

Gears suck. The dogbones begin to stretch and each gear gets really sloppy. They just aren't precise IME. This wont matter if you just want them to sound cool, but chains are the way to go for pushrod engines unless your getting into serious power. For these light little import motors, I am no expert on them, but that sounds like a short life on your timing belt. There may be more to the story.

And don't be saying stone age about pushrods :O ! I happen to know of a somewhat popular racing series that runs 16 valve, 35O (ish) pushrod naturally aspirated motors pushing 850 rwhp.

[RED5]

Although it seems like it not time to do it? Replacing it won't kill ya, and it'll keep a dealer working through these bad days. Better new than wondering. The other posters are right about having to spend a buttload if the motor is a "bender" More than likely it is,so I'd advise you to just roll with it. Peace of mind is at stake.

[RED5]

Originally Posted by ulrich

Gears are fine for stone age, push rod engines, but you'd have to use large, or multiple gears to get to an over-head cam.

Why don't more engines use bevel drive?

Chains dude! My Previa runs a chain...been so long since i checked I don't recall the service interval, but I won't own it by then.

[lousybassplayer]

Chains have their drawbacks too. Espescially at higher engine speeds and power loads (like, BIG power loads). However, in these little dinky commuter car motors, belts are about weight and cost. Chains would be better I think, but they need to be replaced to over time.

[RWP]

How much was the quote to replace it?