Question for low miles 2003 V8 owners

[03_4x4Runner]

I have a 2003 V8 with only 38k miles. The maintenance manual calls for replacing the timing belt at 90k or 72 months (6 years).
Well my 6 years are up. Is it worth changing the belt at only 38k miles just because it is 6 years old?

 

[borgzman]

Mine is 78k. Last month, when I had my oil changed, they have done inspections of the fluids, hoses etc. They did not tell something about the timing belt so I asked them to check it. Said they can't see the timing belt and told me that it should still be ok because they had replaced some 4th gen V8 with 120k miles in them. But they do recommended to have mine changed @ 90-100k, also by that time they will also check the water pump.


reminder: serpentine belt @ 60K

 

[charlier180]

I have a 2003 V8 with only 38k miles. The maintenance manual calls for replacing the timing belt at 90k or 72 months (6 years).
Well my 6 years are up. Is it worth changing the belt at only 38k miles just because it is 6 years old?

My 2004 Runner is also low mileage (26K).

When it comes to low mileage vehicles TIME is the enemy for timing belts.

One of my collector vehicles has an interference engine. Last year I realized that it was well PAST Time for the timing belt to be replaced.
Turns out I defused a TIME Bomb. The belt looked fairly good BUT the pulley had all but SIEZED up.
Had that happened the belt would have snapped I and would have had a bunch of bent valves and screwed up pistons.

When it comes to low mileage vehicles I use time, not mileage, for maintenance items like timing belts.

Come next year my 4Runner will be getting a new timing belt.

 

[rockwall]

2003 V8

I have a 2003 Limited V8. I'm at 38,000 miles also. I have changed the oil every 3,000 miles, changed wiper blades and new Michelin Cross Terrain tires. Nothing else.

My Runner is like showroom new and not showing any signs of age.

I do plan to do all of the major fluids changes soon, including all of the 4X4 stuff.