GSGALLANT

For those of you that are always asking how long a timing belt will actually last, here is some info.

I changed my timing belt two weeks ago on my 2002 4Runner 3.4L Auto (Belt had 92 000 miles on it and was 6 years old). The old belt was in good shape, but due to be replaced based on mileage.

Yesterday, I changed my buddy's timing belt on his 1999 Tacoma 3.4L Auto (Belt had 94 000 miles on it and was 9 years old). The old belt had numerous micro cracks all over the back side (non-ribbed side). The cracks ran across the belt like you would expect (and not along the length of the belt), and ranged from 1/8 to 1/4 inch in length. I would assume that his belt was on it's last legs.

For those of you that have actually suffered a broken timing belt, how badly was it cracked on the back side (not only where it broke, obviously... but on the rest of the belt?)

KZN185W

iTrader: (1)

isn't it supposed to be replaced at 60,000 miles (100,000 km)?

at least that's what toyota recommends for jdm 3rd gens 4Runners (petrol and diesel).

fastkevman

I had a beater corolla that had similar cracks as your buddy's, I drove it like that for another 32,000miles(about 14months) before it let go and bent the valves, I didn't care because it was just a $500 commuter car, it wasn't worth the down-time to fix it.

Paul H.

3rd gens are at every 90K miles.

GSGALLANT

Good info. Thanks. Luckily, Toyota 4Runner 3.0L and 3.4L engines are non-interference engines, so no worries about bending valves, but being stranded on the side of the road is no fun either.

GSGALLANT

Yep... 90,000 miles.

MTL_4runner

Yeah, especially in winter up here where temps can often be -20 or less.

GSGALLANT

Ha... Yeah. Even more reason not to skip this maintenance.

pkt1213

iTrader: (1)

I figured at -20 that would be a good reason to skip it. :-)

I changed the belt in mine when it has about 140k on the clock. I have no information that it had ever been changed before though.

surf4runner

im at 150K ('02)and am also curious as to how the original belt is gonna look when i finally change it...