What is the effect of a worn timing belt?

[JetspeedCamry]

Can anyone tell me what the effect is of a worn or old timing belt? I'm at about 80,000km's with my existing one, and I don't drive like a granny, so, just wondering what sort of degradation in performance there is.

Thanx.

[ShawnM]

You wont really see any reduction in preformance. They usually just break or strip the teeth off the belt at startup.

[amerikim]

If your car starts, you know its not a timing belt issue.

[Toysrme]

assuming it turns, the only real thing is slipping teeth, which will f up your timing, or a stretched belt (if there is huge amounts of pressure) it will be loose and tend to slip, which will screw up timing and chew the teeth off the belt.


If you're going to replace yours, get rid of any other belts also.

[anuthaCamry]

a timing belt is a geared belt so unless it slips there should be any noticable difference in performance if it is worn. The only way for it to slip would be if it were damaged and/or there was something loose, ie. idler pulley or something, it can also loosen if the crankshaft is rotated in the wrong direction.

some engines are interference engines, meaning that the valves and pistons share the same space, but not at the same time. Non-interference engines will have cut-outs, or reliefs on top of the pistons that will prevent interference should a timing belt break. Interference engines will suffer severe, perhaps ridiculous damage if they actually 'interfere.' (because the pistons will slam against the valves)

timing belts should be changed because they do get old and if they break your engine will spin to a halt and won't run anymore, and you'll be spending for a tow and like 30 bucks for a new belt. You can tell if they are gone if when you start your car it sounds more like a blender than the typical "choo-choo-choo" of an engine turning over. I've also read somewhere that if they break under maximum load, maximum rpms they could possibly interfere even on a non-interference type engine.

[Porkch0p220]

i did mine at 90k toyota said it dosent really need to be done till then.

[JetspeedCamry]

Thankyou so much for the information..makes it a whole lot clearer.
Are the 2VZ's non-interference engines?

[es250nut]

You'll be driv'n along.... MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM MMMMMMMMM
SNAP!

Probably a good time to replace your timing belt. Best to do it when you choose rather then when it chooses for you. The last belt made the choice for me.

When you do it, you might also want to do the water pump, & idler pulleys.