Timing belt changed today - good deal?

[NCSCOTT]

Good point about the timing belt vs. the timing chain. But lasting the life of the engine depends on how long you mean by life.
Timing chains can stretch over time. Doesn't Toyota recommend timing chain replacement somewhere around 120,000 miles?

Notice the " " around should..... I would be interested to see that interval in writing. If you have a source please pass it on. I have never seen a interval for a chain before. I am not being a smartass here I would seriously like to know. Nothing is listed in the owners manual. Is the 4.0 an interference engine???

 

[greasefingers]

Timing chains do stretch a bit, but one can easily go 200,000 miles on just about any vehicle today. My Jeep has 204,000 miles on her. I checked the timing with my old timing light and it was off about 1 to 2 degrees. Not bad so I will not ever think about it again.

Of course the timing should always be correct since the computer adjusts it. It not like the old days when you had to check the timing often and rotate the distributor by hand to increase or decrease the timing.

 

[jeober]

Timing chains do stretch a bit, but one can easily go 200,000 miles on just about any vehicle today.

Chain wear (stretch) would be insignificant effect to valve timing. As long as the tensioner is functioning, life will be long.

Clean oil = low chain wear as these low speed parts operate with boundary layer lubrication.

 

[toiday]

dammit, im due in 27K miles, im not looking forward to it.

I just traded my 98 in for a 07. The 98 has 120k miles and I didn't r/p the timing belt. My theory is if the fan belt looks good then the timing belt should be fine. I used to drive the 88 Camry to 180k w/o replacing timing belt.

 

[JP4RNR]

I just traded my 98 in for a 07. The 98 has 120k miles and I didn't r/p the timing belt. My theory is if the fan belt looks good then the timing belt should be fine. I used to drive the 88 Camry to 180k w/o replacing timing belt.

The stresses on a timing belt are much different than that of your regular drive belts. Since the timing belt is encased beneath a timing belt cover the environment is much harsher(higher Temp). You also have camshaft and crank seals that can leak and accelerate the wear of the timing belt along with idler pulley and tensioner bearings that can sieze.

The condition of your drive belts is not a tell tale sign for your timing belt. Depending on you engine application it can be a costly assumption as you find your whole engine needs to be replaced because you have holes in the top of your pistons where the valves came through when the timing belt broke:bash:

 

[Sams984Runner]

Good point about the timing belt vs. the timing chain. But lasting the life of the engine depends on how long you mean by life.
Timing chains can stretch over time. Doesn't Toyota recommend timing chain replacement somewhere around 120,000 miles?

I had a 96 Nissan Maxima b4 my T4R and i loved the fact that it had a Chain and not a belt. When i used to surf Maxima Forums, i found out that we don't need to change the chains unless and untill you hear TICKING noise from the engine. Even with that noise some people drove well over 20K, but the point is, the Chain will make a noise to alert you and won't go out easy.

Unfortunately, even tho 98, Toyota just decided to put a belt. I have 108k on mine now, but i'll wait till i 120k. I know it will last that long. I never got my Timing Belt changed in my civic and sold it at 145k in perfect condition.