yup. first change for me. 158,813 miles, and just in time.

Timing belt was't in "bad" shape, but was beginning to show it's age with some tiny hairline surface cracks if you bent it in a 2" circle. I don't think they were as much from mileage as they were from age - almost 8 years.

Water pump was leaking just a tad through the weep hole - I don't know how long, but I never lost coolant level and it never "dripped".

Crank seal had a tiny weep.

I had:

Timing Belt
Water Pump
Crank Seal
Cam Seals
Tensioner
AC belt
Power Steering Belt
Alternator Belt
Toyota Red Coolant

all for $252 in OEM parts (most of it thanks to Phil - Strap22 on the forum) and $200 in labor via a local independent shop and a toyota certified master technician.

not bad at all.

i would NOT suggest going this long on a timing belt. i would suggest no longer than 6-7 years or 120k and at most 140k. i was overdue and it showed after it was torn down.

now the cool part - apparently, the original belt had stretched or something. i had a slight valve chatter at certain times on a long grade (even after seafoam, and that's with 33's and 4.56's). now, not only is the idle just buttery smooth, but the acceleration is better and the almost silent valve chatter that was there is now gone. there really is a difference in the "feel" of the engine - which also means that i waited too long to do it.

 

Then I suppose this would be a case of having "good timing"?

 

you could say that...

 

great prices......

feels good to have that done I bet

 

price sounds good

 

Timing belts are supposed to be done at 90K genius.

 

The most I would recommend going is maybe 120k, I do mine at 100k intervals. I also do the cam/crank seals, water pump, tensioners, etc at every 2nd timing belt. You don't have to but it goes a little further towards making sure all is in order and I don't have any breakdowns in the middle of winter (would worry too much down south but up here that really sucks!)

.....smokin price on the parts too!

 

i got about 85k on mine anyone wanna send me some money ?

 

yeah, and this genius stretched it for another 70% beyond it's "life", effectively saving ~$300.

i think 50% over is safe (135k). beyond that is a gamble (with getting stranded, but not engine damage since it's a NON-interference engine).

anyway, go mind your business old man - you don't have a belt anyway!

 

Bamachem~
Should those of us with chains (2.7L) be concerned with replacement? I've heard no from a mechanic or two but I trust the yotatechers more!

 

I was using "genius" in the Wile E. Coyote sense...not the you are even close to the IQ of one.

A fortunate gamble that sets a bad example for the Yotatech children.

Wrong!!! I do have one on my Sienna XLE that will be changed in about 30K miles.

 

wuss!!!

skrillah: AFAIK, you don't need to change the chain as often, but you will have to eventually change it and the guides.

 

I was told to not worry about it and they checked mine and it's fine at 100K.

Trashed a set of thrush washers though. Too many 4 wheel spins.

 

Man, that's a relief! Mine is past due by about 13K. I think the earlier 3rd gens they recommend every 60K, right? I was thinking I was going to be shelling that out along with all the suspension parts I'm buying right now, and maybe a starter that just began going south through all of this! Looks like maybe I can take a lesson from the "bad example" and wait several thousand miles!:pat:

 

Is there any way to check without taking it in or tearing it all off? And how can you tell if it needs replaced?
I have 171,000miles and not sure what the past history is for it.
Thanks...

 

unless you are experienced i would take it to a technition and let them do it, chances are that if you got it used that you are way overdue for a timing belt interval

 

I am getting mine done tomorrow right at 90K just to be on the safe side. Plus with the tune up maybe I can squeeze out a little better gas mileage. I think that I am getting that valve chatter. I cant wait to see what its going to be like when the jobs done.

 

how many miles do you have. if it's the original belt on a 97, then you're about three-years overdue.

i think the age has more to do with the cracking than the mileage.

 

take the front timing belt cover off. it's just a few bolts. the cover is the black plastic thing on the front of the engine, facing the radiator.

 

What a deal!