How many years on a timing belt?

[rugger]

Appreciate the tips here, glad to see I am not the only one with 'excessive mileage' on the original belt.

I've got 205K on my original belt. I am planning to have it done at a local shop (using Toyota OEM spec kit) in March. I think I'll inspect the belt and delay it just a tad longer if that appears prudent. I just had the tranny rebuilt ($$) and need the rear axle bearings/seals done ASAP.

 

[FireTiger]

Learned the hard way, still love it

Love my 02 Sport 4wd. Purchased used with approximately 106,000 miles on it. Had no knowledge of the events to occur until they happened. Right from the start, I got the "pink milkshake" Thanksgiving Eve as I pulled into my station. What a mess, and what a way to start the holiday financially...huge repair. Last week, on my way home, it started to overheat. Found tons of useful information here as a newbie this time:third:

As a result, yesterday, I went ahead and had the timing belt, water pump, drive belts taken care of by a very competent Toyota Service shop. The shop that replaced the parts from the prior "milkshake" incident as turns out, did a pathetic job in their repair. They found a slight residue of "pink" as they drained my radiator yesterday. They also found that the prior radiator replacement did not get a new radiator cap..."what idiot would not replace a radiator cap if you are going put a new radiator on?".

Well, I learned the hard way, spend a little extra money, get the correct Toyota parts, and have competent service centers do the work...if you are like me, and very new to Toyota auto repairs.

Regardless of the financial pain it has caused, I absolutely love the sport. It's a bad ass vehicle and fits every need I can throw at it. I love all of you diehard enthusiasts, and the extremely valuable information out here. Now I know about this forum, and will be here frequently.

At 116,000 miles today, so I hope to have many, many years of fun.

 

[Stuntmonkey]

Just did mine at 115k miles, was in decent condition but I wouldn't really push it much further. When it goes, you're screwed.

 

[tee-bone]

When it goes, you're screwed.

Not really; you are just stuck. In my mind the whole question is about your piece of mind on the drive out. There is actually more risk to the engine if the water pump dies (overheating can be way bad and can happen quickly) than if the t-belt goes.

However, you've got a lot going on - moving, new job or whatever - and it sounds like you ought to get it done, including the water pump (whose seals I would suspect to be more likely to go based on time rather than mileage).

Just one tip - try to make sure you get all the work finished as far before you leave as possible, just in case there is an issue that needs to shake out.