timing Belt replacement for V-6 SE

[DCA/PHX]

I have a '99 Solara SE (V-6) with 61,000 miles. I called up a Toyota dealership and they recommend a timing belt replacement at 90,000 miles or 6 years. Can I gamble a bit and hold off?

[toyomoho]

Unless the belt has been subjected to excess dirt, water, sand, oil or other debris the issue is normally total miles not years of use.

[Gadgetjq]

Originally Posted by DCA/PHX

I have a '99 Solara SE (V-6) with 61,000 miles. I called up a Toyota dealership and they recommend a timing belt replacement at 90,000 miles or 6 years. Can I gamble a bit and hold off?

The maintenance schedule for your car calls for the timing belt to be replaced at 90,000 miles or 108 months (9 years). You can find that information at www.toyotaownersonline.com. The same source says your accessory drive belts should have gotten their first serious inspection at 60,000 miles or 72 months with inspections every 15,000 miles or 18 months after that.

Cheers

[riceqx2]

I had mine replace at 125K and asked for the old belt so I could inspect it.
At 125K miles, the belt was showing the threads, so I would have this belt replace at 125K miles but not more than that.

[Jakecallun20]

I wouldn't recommends this, but I ran my timing belt to 145k. I asked for the old belt as well, and it looked new actually. Lol. My mechanic friend said it would have only lasted for about another year at the most. (Give or take) Its a pricey repair but an important one. Were lucky with 1MZ engines though, they are non-interference engines. I also had my water pump, and crank and cam seals replaced. Car is at 149k now and running strong.

[mh808]

When to replace a timing belt varies depending on each car's use and environment. I have a 2000 V6 SLE which I hardly use except on weekends. I had less than 24,000 miles in December 2006 and had to replace my timing belt because it became old, dry and hard and started to squeal periodically. If you use the car daily, teh rubber timing belt will stay flexible and lasts a lot longer than the manufacturers recommendation. In my opinion, best to replace the timing belt based on the manufacterer's specs or earlier to prevent getting stalled and risk damaging youe engine's internal components.

[toymkr2]

drive it for 90,000 . i changed mine at 86,000 still great shape.

[Bdub215]

for a 10 year old car whether the belt looks good or not just replace it. then you wont have to worry about the thought about changing it later. its up to you.