Broken Timing belts - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

camry2001Speakers · 07-31-2009, 02:08 AM

Whats the worse that can happen to my car if i let my timing belt snap on its own for my 2001 camry v6?

I want to change it but my dad said when it snaps all you do is replace it. Also is the timing belt the only thing that is Absolutely NECESSARY to replace in your car aside of oil/tires?

My car is has 110k miles.

Tom 2000 · 07-31-2009, 02:39 AM

If the timing belt breaks, there will be no engine damage as a result of the timing belt breakage.

However, when the engine stops, you lose power steering and you will have only 1 or 2 pumps left on your power brakes. The brakes will still work after that, but you need to step on it a lot harder to stop.

You need to absolutely replace brakes.

RU2CHKN · 07-31-2009, 06:40 AM

Yep there won't be any internal damage to the engine. The 1MZ engine is non-interference so if the belt was broken, the car would just stall out. I'm not sure about the 4-cyl engines tho they might be interference. If a belt were to break on an interference engine, then the the pistons would be banging up against the valves and bend them not fun!

Mike Gerber · 07-31-2009, 07:41 AM

"I'm not sure about the 4-cyl engines tho they might be interference."

The 4 cylinder engines through 2001 were also non-interference engines. There will not be any damage if the timing belt breaks on them.

Mike

carsrus · 07-31-2009, 08:05 AM

Dont forget that the timing belt isnt the only thing that can "break" down there. We had the same idea of letting the timing belt just snap on its own on our 4 cyl. It was at 111k last week and the water pump seized and chewed up the belt. The tensioners or bearings can also do the same thing.

But the old belt which had 111k on it did pretty much look brand new....

Lightning Blue · 07-31-2009, 08:22 AM

I have 130k+ and I don't think my timing belt has been changed (bought at 127k) and it is running fine. I'm going to get it inspected next month for peace of mind though, since I'm putting 1000-1500 miles a month on her.

camry2001Speakers · 07-31-2009, 12:22 PM

Thanks Everyone! Especially Tom 2000!

caveman017 · 07-31-2009, 12:34 PM

Silly question, but why use anything but non-interference motors then? Seems it would be better for the industry

ruggz · 07-31-2009, 01:38 PM

I had one last for 180,000 before I replaced it and it still looked okay maybe would have gone another 50-60k

RU2CHKN · 07-31-2009, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by caveman017

Silly question, but why use anything but non-interference motors then? Seems it would be better for the industry

Yes it would, but the main reason why not all car manufacturers don't use non-interference is cuz of cost. I was working on my buddy's 1999 Integra LS (non-vtec) and it was interference. The timing belt intervals for those cars are like 105,000 miles

touringcamry · 07-31-2009, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RU2CHKN

Yes it would, but the main reason why not all car manufacturers don't use non-interference is cuz of cost. I was working on my buddy's 1999 Integra LS (non-vtec) and it was interference. The timing belt intervals for those cars are like 105,000 miles

The recommended interval for Camry is 90,000 miles.

While the belt doesn't absolutely need to be replaced until it breaks, you also have keep in mind the consequence of potentially stranding yourself somewhere when it does break.

rty · 07-31-2009, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by caveman017

Silly question, but why use anything but non-interference motors then? Seems it would be better for the industry

I think it's because interference engines get higher horsepower. Using a higher compression ratio gets you more horsepower but as a result the pistons have to travel into the space the valves normally occupy on intake, and you have an interference engine.

***JohnGD*** · 07-31-2009, 08:51 PM

If you need to have that area tear down to replace the timing belt, might as well consider the whole package. It's the labor that costs, for example, to go back for the water pump 10K miles down.

I'd replace parts like the following (older prices from www.rockauto.com)
GATES TCK257 timing component kit $89.79
FEL-PRO TCS45890 crank seal $6.27
FEL-PRO TCS45889 cam seal set $8.55
GATES K060410 Alt/AC belt $13.09
GATES K040345 PS belt $8.61
AISIN water pump Part # 1610029085 $61.79
Total ~$188 + shipping

If needed: FEL-PRO VS50471R valve cover set (with spark plug tube
seals) $30.79

Quote:

Originally Posted by camry2001Speakers

Whats the worse that can happen to my car if i let my timing belt snap on its own for my 2001 camry v6?

I want to change it but my dad said when it snaps all you do is replace it. Also is the timing belt the only thing that is Absolutely NECESSARY to replace in your car aside of oil/tires?

My car is has 110k miles.

***JohnGD*** · 07-31-2009, 08:57 PM

No. All wear items as mentioned like brake pads, fluids (brake fluid, ATF, engine oil, power steering, etc), aged rubber components or any other part that broke (radiator fan), struts, light bulbs, etc. will require replacement.

Some many not list time/mileage, but you have to INSPECT and replace as necessary.

As a practical thing to do, things like drive belts, water pump and others I listed are usually replaced during a "complete" timing belt job. No sense spending hundreds on labor just to skip a $5 oil seal for example.

Quote:

Originally Posted by camry2001Speakers

Also is the timing belt the only thing that is Absolutely NECESSARY to replace in your car aside of oil/tires?

Gibson99 · 08-01-2009, 09:30 AM

One other thing - as a mechanic, i've replaced plenty of timing belts which have broken, and that resulted in the vehicle being towed in. in almost every single case, the belts looked nearly BRAND NEW except in the small location where they broke. And when they break, 99% of the time it's not snapping in half like you would expect - the teeth on the belt break off, resulting in a flat spot on the belt and therefore no motion. on the 5sfe, the belt tends to stretch a little too, resulting in a kind of slapping sound before the belt finally fails. on the 1mzfe, there is an automatic tensioner so even when the belt does stretch, the tensioner takes up the slack so it can't slap.

the reason i mention this is because it's pretty much a waste of time and money to inspect a belt. unless there just happens to be a tooth starting to peel off the belt at the section that gets inspected, you'll think it's just fine. IMHO, if you suspect that the t-belt is really old, just replace it (and do all the other recommended parts people are mentioning above). it's not worth the hassle.

trust me - it is NEVER at a convenient time when it breaks, and could leave you or someone else stranded in a bad place - maybe even out of cell phone coverage. our first camry left my mom stuck at the terminal at the airport, and she almost got a ticket for it - you aren't supposed to stop there for more than 15 minutes while dropping off passengers. thankfully the cop understood that the car had broken down so he just waited with her till the tow truck showed up.