How often should timing belt be changed?

[logeoff]

Hi,

I just bought a used 96 corolla with 186K km on it and mechanic said since I don't know complete history of car I should change timing belt.

Should I do it? What happens if I don't change timing belt and drive the car until the timing belt breaks? Will it cost more to fix it then?

What should I do?

G

[fredk]

every 60k, and if it comes undone, you will need to call a toe truck

[halforc]

if it breaks and a valve hit a piston you have some big problems.

[hachi_slow]

Originally Posted by fredk

every 60k, and if it comes undone, you will need to call a toe truck

You are talking about miles correct?

logeoff: I'd change the timing belt as your mechanic suggested. Is that engine a non-interference engine? No worries about valve hitting pistons if it is then (just like both my cars). Nonethless, I'd change it.

BTW: 60 000 miles = approx. 100 000 kms

[REN69]

No no no.. I was at Toyota getting my oil changed done the other day, and I was reading their recommended service intervals. Timing belt is recommended by Toyota at 140,000km (100,000 miles) on most of their cars. I wouldn't go that far though, since I drive highway a lot. I changed mine just recently at a bit over 130,000km. There was a lot of wear and tear in mine.. but then again I don't drive like a grandma.

[fredk]

yes miles, and no the valves wont hit anything, the motor will just spin over real easy with the starter and sound funny, then its toe truck time

[logeoff]

Hi folks,

Thanks for feedback. I'm going change timing belt.

hachi_slow: Sorry, i'm not sure what a non-interference engine is or where to check for it . All i know is that its a 1.8L engine


thx all

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[dexter_5000]

non interferance means the piston wont slam into the valves if the timing belt or chain breaks. its not fun doing valve jobs i know.

[fredk]

its a 7afe

[OEMonkey]

1.8L 7A-FE engine is non-interference. Meaning the possibility of valve to piston damage in the event of a timing belt failure may be minimal or very unlikely. But ya, you'll need a TOW truck if it breaks.

[fredk]

Awe comon, i was thinking of a truck with a big toe on the hood

[Raddman]

How about the timing chains that the newer rollas have, how often do those need changed, the same as the belts?....Radd Guy....

[MississaugaGTS]

Had a '90 redtop hit 450 000 km with original timing belt. Very impressive I'd say!


MississaugaGTS

[Flashmn]

ad a '90 redtop hit 450 000 km with original timing belt. Very impressive I'd say!

More like plain dumb luck, I swap my timing belts every 40,000km, much more comforting to know that atleast it wont snap and with the chance that the valves MIGHT hit the pistons, because the heads been shaved isnt that comforting to think about.

[MississaugaGTS]

That old engine was lucky if it had the oil changed every 40 000 km I really didn't treat it very well, but, it still lasted!


MississaugaGTS