Timing belt noise... How long til it snaps?

[Camry LE 94]

I have a noise that's more noticeable driving slow speeds. It's confirmed to be the timing belt tension, which seems to be more than normal. I'm assuming it's the tensioner so I will be replacing it pretty soon. Hopefully ASG14 will help me do the work How long (in your experiences) do I have until it snaps? There are also surface cracks on the timing belt that can be seen with a timing light.

[Stillrunning]

Originally Posted by Camry LE 94

How long (in your experiences) do I have until it snaps?

3 days, 16 hours, 18 minutes and 46 seconds.

[fenixus]

LMAO ... just get it replaced asap

it's usually done together with water pump and all gaskets and seals on the way (cam, crank). it might be a good idea for preventive maintenance to do also oil pump seals. it will save you money on labor, so you don't have to return to this area again soon...

[camry6]

Originally Posted by Camry LE 94

I have a noise that's more noticeable driving slow speeds. It's confirmed to be the timing belt tension, which seems to be more than normal. I'm assuming it's the tensioner so I will be replacing it pretty soon. Hopefully ASG14 will help me do the work How long (in your experiences) do I have until it snaps? There are also surface cracks on the timing belt that can be seen with a timing light.

Replace the timing belt, tensioner, idlers and water pump. These are regular maintenance items that have to be inspected/done every (approximately) 75,000 miles (120,000km's). Consult your owners manual for exact guidelines.

[JohnGD]

The tensioner on the 4-cyl is tightened down and won't move (at least not supposed to ).

So you may actually have a belt tension problem. That's the problem of not using an automatic tensioner, but this is a budget engine. Does it sound like rubber hitting plastic kind of a sound?

Originally Posted by Camry LE 94

I have a noise that's more noticeable driving slow speeds. It's confirmed to be the timing belt tension, which seems to be more than normal. I'm assuming it's the tensioner so I will be replacing it pretty soon. Hopefully ASG14 will help me do the work How long (in your experiences) do I have until it snaps? There are also surface cracks on the timing belt that can be seen with a timing light.

[RichieRichJP]

I don't know, how about you tell us once it happens?

[500KCamry]

Originally Posted by Camry LE 94

I have a noise that's more noticeable driving slow speeds. It's confirmed to be the timing belt tension, which seems to be more than normal. I'm assuming it's the tensioner so I will be replacing it pretty soon.

Like someone else said the tension of the belt is set by a spring, and then the tensioner is tightened down and can't move. The tensioner won't increase belt tension thereafter. The belt tension should actually reduce as the belt ages and stretches slightly. If you can see cracks on the belt, you should change it ASAP, so you don't have to suffer tow costs and so you don't have to figure out the cam and crankshaft sprocket positions as well.

[Camry LE 94]

Originally Posted by JohnGD

The tensioner on the 4-cyl is tightened down and won't move (at least not supposed to ).

So you may actually have a belt tension problem. That's the problem of not using an automatic tensioner, but this is a budget engine. Does it sound like rubber hitting plastic kind of a sound?

Yes it sounds like rubber hitting plastic. Also, when I accelerate, I can hear a faint whirling noise coming from that area. I don't know why I'd have a tension problem because it hasn't been touched in 60,000 miles. The noise is only prevalent at speeds below 40mph. Thanks for one of the few serious responses though.

[Camry LE 94]

Originally Posted by 500KCamry

Like someone else said the tension of the belt is set by a spring, and then the tensioner is tightened down and can't move. The tensioner won't increase belt tension thereafter. The belt tension should actually reduce as the belt ages and stretches slightly. If you can see cracks on the belt, you should change it ASAP, so you don't have to suffer tow costs and so you don't have to figure out the cam and crankshaft sprocket positions as well.

Yeah I don't want to pay out of my ass in labor though. I was hoping ASG14 would help me out and answer my pm's :\

[Camry LE 94]

Originally Posted by Stillrunning

3 days, 16 hours, 18 minutes and 46 seconds.

I wasn't expecting an exact days, hours, minutes, and seconds count. I was just asking for an estimated time-frame based on other people's experiences. If you don't have any experience, why bother?

[JohnGD]

Yeah, sounds like a loose belt. Take pictures if you can for the job. Sometimes the belts start to loosen by 50K miles. The more "severe" the driving condition the sooner -- like in city stop-and-go. T belts stretch very little compared to drive belts, but they still do.

During the Gen 4 defective timing belt period, Toyota asked mechanics to use NAPA t-belts. These are Gates belts. I use only Gates belts and hoses unless there is no choice.

Whirling noises can be bearings or the water pump, or even the belt slipping over the pump pulley. Dunno. But if done right, you should get a quieter and seemingly more powerful motor after a good timing job.

Originally Posted by Camry LE 94

Yes it sounds like rubber hitting plastic. Also, when I accelerate, I can hear a faint whirling noise coming from that area. I don't know why I'd have a tension problem because it hasn't been touched in 60,000 miles. The noise is only prevalent at speeds below 40mph. Thanks for one of the few serious responses though.

[Stillrunning]

Originally Posted by Camry LE 94

I wasn't expecting an exact days, hours, minutes, and seconds count.

Approximately - 3 days, 16 hours, 18 minutes and 46 seconds.

[Camry LE 94]

Originally Posted by JohnGD

Yeah, sounds like a loose belt. Take pictures if you can for the job. Sometimes the belts start to loosen by 50K miles. The more "severe" the driving condition the sooner -- like in city stop-and-go. T belts stretch very little compared to drive belts, but they still do.

During the Gen 4 defective timing belt period, Toyota asked mechanics to use NAPA t-belts. These are Gates belts. I use only Gates belts and hoses unless there is no choice.

Whirling noises can be bearings or the water pump, or even the belt slipping over the pump pulley. Dunno. But if done right, you should get a quieter and seemingly more powerful motor after a good timing job.

Yeah I've driven 60,000 miles since I got the car. I do a lot of stop n go driving also as I deliver pizza with it. It's actually 60K on the dot, for the most part, which is the recommended interval of changing the timing belt (according to a book one mechanic had). I find that pretty funny that I got the car with 173,000 miles and I now have 233,000, time for the timing belt change!

[PhatRoyale]

Yeah you don't want to put that off, it's pretty much a ticking time bomb at this point.

[fisherman partner]

so much i understand camry made 223k miles on original belt!?
and last 60k miles as delivery car!
please confirm.