How to know if the timing belt has been changed? - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

ezinis · 01-14-2011, 04:17 PM

I bought my Camry LE I4 99 in 2006, mileage:145000. I've put only 10000 miles on it since then. I do not know whether the previous owner had changed the timing belt before he sold it to me or not.

So I wonder if there is any trick performed to know if he did change the belt???

Second note, this car was originally used in Florida, now that I've moved to Montreal and I only use this car in winter. Any cautions that I need to make?

Thank you.

T2

***LynchburgCSI*** · 01-14-2011, 04:22 PM

Pulling the timing belt cover and take a look at the condition of the belt should be enough. Also, V6 and 4 cylinder Camrys from 92-01 had non-interference engines. So, if the belt breaks you're not looking at any valve train damage. The engine will shut down and leave you stranded though.

***Zembonez*** · 01-14-2011, 05:05 PM

It's pretty hard to look at a timing belt and tell if it is recent or not unless it is very freshly installed. They appear pretty much the same on day 30 as they do on year 5.

Tech1984 · 01-14-2011, 05:44 PM

If it's not fluttering sounding at cold idle, then it's usually good to go for at least a while.

***Zembonez*** · 01-14-2011, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tech1984

If it's not fluttering sounding at cold idle, then it's usually good to go for at least a while.

Sorry... but that's a piece of advice that simply has no scientific backing. It's impossible to "hear" the condition of your timing belt.

That's just wrong.

Tech1984 · 01-14-2011, 06:03 PM

I beg to differ.

***Zembonez*** · 01-14-2011, 06:03 PM

You can differ all you want but it's not possible. There is no reliable way to tell if a timing belt is good or bad... especially not by listening to it.

***eyeball96*** · 01-14-2011, 06:03 PM

Usually when the timing belt is changed, a sticker with the date and mileage is placed in the engine bay.
I've mostly seen them on the timing belt cover itself. If it's not there, you really can't be sure it was serviced as recommended.

Tech1984 · 01-14-2011, 06:27 PM

As a lot of us here know the 5SFE does not have a automatic timing belt tensioner.
As the timing belt wears, it stretches and loosens. In this case, a 99 Camry, it would start to flutter which is the slack side of the belt.
As it worsens, it starts slapping the timing cover. (very audible sound).
If I were the buyer of this Camry and didn't know any previous history of maintenance, then as long as I didn't see any oil leaks, and didn't here any flutter, then I wouldn't hesitate to drive it.
Just sayin' THAT PARTICULAR CAR HAS A VERY DISTINCTIVE SOUND WHEN A TIMING BELT IS GOING BAD.
Now this is coming from a trained ear. (over 30 yrs) More than half on this board hasn't any idea what I'm talking about. That is the reason I said what I said.

***Zembonez*** · 01-14-2011, 06:33 PM

So... your answer is that you can hear a tensioner failing (if and when it's going bad)... when it finally fails. I don't doubt that and I don't doubt your technical abilities.

There still is no reliable way to know if the OP's timing belt is one month old or several years old - or if it's about to go.

71Corolla · 01-14-2011, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zembonez

There still is no reliable way to know if the OP's timing belt is one month old or several years old - or if it's about to go.

This is simply not true. The difference between a year old timing belt and one that is very near the end of its life is really really obvious. And on the 5S-FE you can hear immediately when the belt is stretched and smacking the timing cover.

***Zembonez*** · 01-14-2011, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 71Corolla

This is simply not true. The difference between a year old timing belt and one that is very near the end of its life is really really obvious. And on the 5S-FE you can hear immediately when the belt is stretched and smacking the timing cover.

That may be true for a neglected - should have been changed long ago - timing belt, but the OP is asking if there is a way to tell if his has been changed. If his in not near death as you describe, there is no reliable way to tell if a timing belt is good or bad.

LVLT FIXIT · 01-14-2011, 08:18 PM

My 95 5S fe has a tensioner. I would think your 99 would have one too. If a belt gets to the point of flapping, then I'd be changing it ASAP. Use a stethoscope (spelling) or a piece of 1" heater hose to listen for sounds. Cut the end nice and square, and if it will if in the location, wrap a piece of foam insulation around the end to seal it tight to what you’re listening to. Be careful of moving objects. As for wear or miles on the belt, car has 145000 miles on it then its due at 180000 for a belt change, if the schedule was followed. You could take the risk or just change it out over the weekend - Belt alone is about $25-30. Check the tensioner bearing and spring when you get in to it. It's not that hard of a job. Be sure to start with the engine at TDC on #1 firing. Mark things and don't turn the engine over until you’re done. The damper bolt is the biggest problem you will have. That sucker is always hard to break loose. If you can, or have access to someone with an impact gun, then use it to break it loose, and then retighten it if you have to drive home to do your repair. Have a 4-5" hook on a t handle to remove and replace the spring. I use a 1 1/2 long x1/4 id x 5/16" od bushing, slide the spring over it, slip the bushing on the pin, lift the bushing up and slide the spring off onto the pin. I also wire tie my spring so I don't drop it.
One way to check the mileage on your belt may be to check with Car Fax to see if a maintenance record was logged on the repair. Check with who you bought the car from. A dealer should be able to tell you or a private person tell you the dealer that did their maintenance.

Tech1984 · 01-14-2011, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zembonez

So... your answer is that you can hear a tensioner failing (if and when it's going bad)... when it finally fails. I don't doubt that and I don't doubt your technical abilities.

There still is no reliable way to know if the OP's timing belt is one month old or several years old - or if it's about to go.

Nope, not the tensioner failing, (but sometimes do) but the tensioner causing the belt to fail b/c it's fixed to the block. It has a spring on it, but that's there to only set the initial tension. After that, the belt is on it's own for adjustments.
The V6? A damper on the tensioner adjusts as the belt stretches and wears.
I could never "hear" that one as I could a 4 cyl.

As for looking at a 1 month old belt? It would obviously still have the writing on it and the alignment marks.
But a 5 yr old belt? That would be a no brainer b/c just like any other rubber belt, they crack, glaze, and just plain look old.

***fenixus*** · 01-14-2011, 08:33 PM

If there is no history at dealer (www.toyotaownersonline.com) and no receipts for anything and no sticker on timing cover then I would assume it's never been done or at least not for a while.

meaning, you could think about changing it alonf with a bunch of things down there as part of preventive maintenance.

It's possible to hear the belt flapping the timing cover when either belt stretched and/or tensioner went bad (e.g. lost grease and causes rattling and belt jumping) or tensioner was never set properly.

... but there is no way to tell if belt is a month old or a few years old really ... unless something else is wrong already (oil leak, belt fraying, etc.), because if everything else is good then the belt may look like any other used belt in good condition.