timing belt and mpg

[ToyotaToday]

I was talking to my service advisor at a Toyota Dealer and he said that once I change my timing belt I would get a little better gas mileage. Has anyone experienced this for those of you that have changed your timing belt?

[fat_bastard]

That is a load of crock. The timing belt has nothing to do with MPG.

[zoni]

lol... agreed. go to a different dealer, or a local shop that you can trust.

there is no way you need a timing belt on an 02 anyway... timing belt is recommended for change at 80,000 miles. one of mine broke at 110,000 so you have a little window between 80-100k i'd say.

[fat_bastard]

Isn't the recommended 60k? Anyway, I had one break when the engine was at 230k and I'd had the car since 106k and have no idea when/if it had ever been replaced. Yay for non-interference engines

[zoni]

60k, 80k, who knows... either way, it doesnt need to be right at either mark.

[BadChicken]

The 1mz motor will go to at least 120K before it needs replacement as long as you don't encounter a water pump problem
But most people change them out at 90K

[ToyotaToday]

I don't need the timing belt yet, another year driving still to go. I have about 118,000 km, and they say change at 140,000. Any way, the original question was, does changing timing belt have an efffect on gas mileage, but sounds like the answer is No.

[HATEnFATE]

It's posssible only becuase of the stretching that a belt experiences over it's life and getting new one would bring your tolerances right back to where they were when it ws new.

Will it make a noticable difference, most likely not but it might. Thats whey there are tensioners there. If the belt never streched you wouldn't need to have a self adjustable tensioner.

[Mike Gerber]

The answer is NO, it wont increase you mileage if the car is running properly now. The only time it would effect mileage is if the belt had slipped a tooth. You would notice that as the car wouldn't run quite right. The cam timing would be off. As someone suggested above, find another dealer or an independent tech - someone who is honest.

Mike

[shots76]

Once a month, I get in the mail from dealers, independent repair shops asking me to change timing belt. They want $200 to change a V6 belt, $170 for I4. And the belt costs $35. Do you think selling timing belt is a very profitable business?

[toyomoho]

From what I have read, 90K miles for belt changes is "recommended" for 1998 and up Camrys.

A stretched belt will cause the cam/crank timing to be off. This will effect engine operation and performance. Just how much I don't know. Not enough to notice on a street car and not enough to replace the belt before it is time. Unless the car is running poorly and you have run down the problem to a bad timing belt or related components just keep driving.

[zoni]

a streched belt will not cause problems at all!!!!!!!!!!

that is what the belt tensioner is for!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! it keeps the same tension and the same timing all the time.

the only thing that could go wrong is the belt jump a tooth, in which case you will notice poor performance linked to improper timing. this will not happen by a "stretched" belt. as they only stretch a TINY bit. biggest thing is wear and cracking with time.

[Klutch]

Shouldn't an 02 be a chain and not a belt????????????

[bronzemaxell]

Originally Posted by Klutch

Shouldn't an 02 be a chain and not a belt????????????

it is definitely belt because it is a 02 V6
only i4 year 2002 + are on chain

[celica2004]

thats true .. i dont believe that .. timing belt has nothing to do with mileage.. he is sucking your money.. you better check with other (reliable) mechanic... Dont forget to kick his AS*S