Timing belt, toyota,

I bought a used 1993 toyota corolla. 140,000 miles. The previous
owner purchased it at 105,000 miles. During the time he owned it he
never had the timing belt replaced.

Since toyota recommends replacement of the belt (70,000 miles) I am not
sure if its ever been done.

Several possibilities:
1. Belt has never been replaced.
2. Belt was replaced prior to 105,000 miles.
3. Belt has never been replaced.

Is there anyway that a mechanic can tell if and when the belt was
replaced? I don't want to spend $700 for a replacement if no needed.
I also don't want the belt to break and ruin the engine.

Is that info stored in the diagnosis computer or can toyota look and
tell if its been replaced and when?

The local NAPA manager says don't take car to toyota, because they will
overcharge. Take it to a good independent garage. Is a regular shop
qualified do timing belt, or is it so technical that it should only be
done by toyota?

Thanks for your advice.

Jessica Hill wrote:
> I bought a used 1993 toyota corolla. 140,000 miles. The previous
> owner purchased it at 105,000 miles. During the time he owned it he
> never had the timing belt replaced.
>
> Since toyota recommends replacement of the belt (70,000 miles) I am not
> sure if its ever been done.
>
> Several possibilities:
> 1. Belt has never been replaced.
> 2. Belt was replaced prior to 105,000 miles.
> 3. Belt has never been replaced.
>
> Is there anyway that a mechanic can tell if and when the belt was
> replaced? I don't want to spend $700 for a replacement if no needed.
> I also don't want the belt to break and ruin the engine.
>
> Is that info stored in the diagnosis computer or can toyota look and
> tell if its been replaced and when?
>
> The local NAPA manager says don't take car to toyota, because they will
> overcharge. Take it to a good independent garage. Is a regular shop
> qualified do timing belt, or is it so technical that it should only be
> done by toyota?
>
> Thanks for your advice.
>

No real way to tell unless there is a receipt for it, unless the
markings are on the belt and still can be read. If the belt used to
replace it was not OEM then it was replaced, if they used OEM brand then
no reliable way to tell without tearing it down to look at other hidden
items.

The NAPA guy is right/wrong. The dealer MAY be priced higher when
compared to an independent shop. They may not.
As for it being a difficult job? Not really hard to do just can be
aggravating to get into the belts location on some vehicles with some
engines as they don't really design vehicles for easy service.

Mileage wise I would replace the belt IF the car is in good shape and
runs good. I would suspect it may have been changed out at 70-80K and if
it wasn't it's on borrowed time. Even if it was changed out at 105K I
would change it simply as a preventative measure.

--
Steve W.

On Thu, 18 Aug 2011 13:33:02 -0400, "Steve W." >
wrote:

>Jessica Hill wrote:
>> I bought a used 1993 toyota corolla. 140,000 miles. The previous
>> owner purchased it at 105,000 miles. During the time he owned it he
>> never had the timing belt replaced.
>>
>> Since toyota recommends replacement of the belt (70,000 miles) I am not
>> sure if its ever been done.
>>
>> Several possibilities:
>> 1. Belt has never been replaced.
>> 2. Belt was replaced prior to 105,000 miles.
>> 3. Belt has never been replaced.
>>
>> Is there anyway that a mechanic can tell if and when the belt was
>> replaced? I don't want to spend $700 for a replacement if no needed.
>> I also don't want the belt to break and ruin the engine.
>>
>> Is that info stored in the diagnosis computer or can toyota look and
>> tell if its been replaced and when?
>>
>> The local NAPA manager says don't take car to toyota, because they will
>> overcharge. Take it to a good independent garage. Is a regular shop
>> qualified do timing belt, or is it so technical that it should only be
>> done by toyota?
>>
>> Thanks for your advice.
>>
>
>No real way to tell unless there is a receipt for it, unless the
>markings are on the belt and still can be read. If the belt used to
>replace it was not OEM then it was replaced, if they used OEM brand then
>no reliable way to tell without tearing it down to look at other hidden
>items.
>
>The NAPA guy is right/wrong. The dealer MAY be priced higher when
>compared to an independent shop. They may not.
>As for it being a difficult job? Not really hard to do just can be
>aggravating to get into the belts location on some vehicles with some
>engines as they don't really design vehicles for easy service.
>
>Mileage wise I would replace the belt IF the car is in good shape and
>runs good. I would suspect it may have been changed out at 70-80K and if
>it wasn't it's on borrowed time. Even if it was changed out at 105K I
>would change it simply as a preventative measure.

If the belt breaks, will it mess up the valves?

I"m not even sure what engine I have, but it's a 2000 Solara, V-6,
24-valves. I'd hate to break even one of them.

On Thu, 18 Aug 2011 13:33:02 -0400, Steve W. wrote:

> Jessica Hill wrote:
>> I bought a used 1993 toyota corolla. 140,000 miles. The previous
>> owner purchased it at 105,000 miles. During the time he owned it he
>> never had the timing belt replaced.
>>
>> Since toyota recommends replacement of the belt (70,000 miles) I am not
>> sure if its ever been done.
>>
>> Several possibilities:
>> 1. Belt has never been replaced.
>> 2. Belt was replaced prior to 105,000 miles.
>> 3. Belt has never been replaced.
>>
>> Is there anyway that a mechanic can tell if and when the belt was
>> replaced? I don't want to spend $700 for a replacement if no needed.
>> I also don't want the belt to break and ruin the engine.
>>
>> Is that info stored in the diagnosis computer or can toyota look and
>> tell if its been replaced and when?
>>
>> The local NAPA manager says don't take car to toyota, because they will
>> overcharge. Take it to a good independent garage. Is a regular shop
>> qualified do timing belt, or is it so technical that it should only be
>> done by toyota?
>>
>> Thanks for your advice.
>>
>
> No real way to tell unless there is a receipt for it, unless the
> markings are on the belt and still can be read. If the belt used to
> replace it was not OEM then it was replaced, if they used OEM brand then
> no reliable way to tell without tearing it down to look at other hidden
> items.
>
> The NAPA guy is right/wrong. The dealer MAY be priced higher when
> compared to an independent shop. They may not.
> As for it being a difficult job? Not really hard to do just can be
> aggravating to get into the belts location on some vehicles with some
> engines as they don't really design vehicles for easy service.
>
> Mileage wise I would replace the belt IF the car is in good shape and
> runs good. I would suspect it may have been changed out at 70-80K and if
> it wasn't it's on borrowed time. Even if it was changed out at 105K I
> would change it simply as a preventative measure.


Every OEM Toyota belt I ever had broke ~110,000 miles, ON THE DOT! Luckily
the car was a Twin Cam!

On Thu, 18 Aug 2011 15:52:36 -0400, micky wrote:

> On Thu, 18 Aug 2011 13:33:02 -0400, "Steve W." >
> wrote:
>
>>Jessica Hill wrote:
>>> I bought a used 1993 toyota corolla. 140,000 miles. The previous
>>> owner purchased it at 105,000 miles. During the time he owned it he
>>> never had the timing belt replaced.
>>>
>>> Since toyota recommends replacement of the belt (70,000 miles) I am not
>>> sure if its ever been done.
>>>
>>> Several possibilities:
>>> 1. Belt has never been replaced.
>>> 2. Belt was replaced prior to 105,000 miles.
>>> 3. Belt has never been replaced.
>>>
>>> Is there anyway that a mechanic can tell if and when the belt was
>>> replaced? I don't want to spend $700 for a replacement if no needed.
>>> I also don't want the belt to break and ruin the engine.
>>>
>>> Is that info stored in the diagnosis computer or can toyota look and
>>> tell if its been replaced and when?
>>>
>>> The local NAPA manager says don't take car to toyota, because they will
>>> overcharge. Take it to a good independent garage. Is a regular shop
>>> qualified do timing belt, or is it so technical that it should only be
>>> done by toyota?
>>>
>>> Thanks for your advice.
>>>
>>
>>No real way to tell unless there is a receipt for it, unless the
>>markings are on the belt and still can be read. If the belt used to
>>replace it was not OEM then it was replaced, if they used OEM brand then
>>no reliable way to tell without tearing it down to look at other hidden
>>items.
>>
>>The NAPA guy is right/wrong. The dealer MAY be priced higher when
>>compared to an independent shop. They may not.
>>As for it being a difficult job? Not really hard to do just can be
>>aggravating to get into the belts location on some vehicles with some
>>engines as they don't really design vehicles for easy service.
>>
>>Mileage wise I would replace the belt IF the car is in good shape and
>>runs good. I would suspect it may have been changed out at 70-80K and if
>>it wasn't it's on borrowed time. Even if it was changed out at 105K I
>>would change it simply as a preventative measure.
>
> If the belt breaks, will it mess up the valves?
>
> I"m not even sure what engine I have, but it's a 2000 Solara, V-6,
> 24-valves. I'd hate to break even one of them.


General rule of thumb w/Toyotas is, one cam=Interference, 2
cams=Non-Interference.

You sure it has a belt? I thought Toyota had gone back to chains around
then.


You can look it up on Gates' web site.

Hachiroku wrote:
> On Thu, 18 Aug 2011 15:52:36 -0400, micky wrote:
>
>> On Thu, 18 Aug 2011 13:33:02 -0400, "Steve W." >
>> wrote:
>>
>>> Jessica Hill wrote:
>>>> I bought a used 1993 toyota corolla. 140,000 miles. The previous
>>>> owner purchased it at 105,000 miles. During the time he owned it he
>>>> never had the timing belt replaced.
>>>>
>>>> Since toyota recommends replacement of the belt (70,000 miles) I am not
>>>> sure if its ever been done.
>>>>
>>>> Several possibilities:
>>>> 1. Belt has never been replaced.
>>>> 2. Belt was replaced prior to 105,000 miles.
>>>> 3. Belt has never been replaced.
>>>>
>>>> Is there anyway that a mechanic can tell if and when the belt was
>>>> replaced? I don't want to spend $700 for a replacement if no needed.
>>>> I also don't want the belt to break and ruin the engine.
>>>>
>>>> Is that info stored in the diagnosis computer or can toyota look and
>>>> tell if its been replaced and when?
>>>>
>>>> The local NAPA manager says don't take car to toyota, because they will
>>>> overcharge. Take it to a good independent garage. Is a regular shop
>>>> qualified do timing belt, or is it so technical that it should only be
>>>> done by toyota?
>>>>
>>>> Thanks for your advice.
>>>>
>>> No real way to tell unless there is a receipt for it, unless the
>>> markings are on the belt and still can be read. If the belt used to
>>> replace it was not OEM then it was replaced, if they used OEM brand then
>>> no reliable way to tell without tearing it down to look at other hidden
>>> items.
>>>
>>> The NAPA guy is right/wrong. The dealer MAY be priced higher when
>>> compared to an independent shop. They may not.
>>> As for it being a difficult job? Not really hard to do just can be
>>> aggravating to get into the belts location on some vehicles with some
>>> engines as they don't really design vehicles for easy service.
>>>
>>> Mileage wise I would replace the belt IF the car is in good shape and
>>> runs good. I would suspect it may have been changed out at 70-80K and if
>>> it wasn't it's on borrowed time. Even if it was changed out at 105K I
>>> would change it simply as a preventative measure.
>> If the belt breaks, will it mess up the valves?
>>
>> I"m not even sure what engine I have, but it's a 2000 Solara, V-6,
>> 24-valves. I'd hate to break even one of them.
>
>
> General rule of thumb w/Toyotas is, one cam=Interference, 2
> cams=Non-Interference.
>
> You sure it has a belt? I thought Toyota had gone back to chains around
> then.
>
>
> You can look it up on Gates' web site.

Yeah it's a belt. OP didn't state which engine but all of the ones used
had belts for that year.

--
Steve W.

A Toyota dealership will have records to tell you if and when the belt
was replaced.

> Is there anyway that a mechanic can tell if and when the belt was
> replaced? *

No.

*
>
> Is that info stored in the diagnosis computer or can toyota look and
> tell if its been replaced and when?

Yes, a dealership can tell you if a dealership replaced the belt.
If not, have a trusted independent replace it now.
3 bills will buy you another 100,000 miles and a bunch of 'peace of
mind'
HTH,
Ben

> Jessica Hill wrote:
I don't want to spend $700 for a replacement if no needed.
>> I also don't want the belt to break and ruin the engine.
............>>
>> The local NAPA manager says don't take car to toyota, because they will
>> overcharge. Take it to a good independent garage. Is a regular shop
>> qualified do timing belt, or is it so technical that it should only be
>> done by toyota?

A good independent shop can do the job as well as or sometimes better than a
dealership shop. Spend some time
and find out who is good, then get an estimate from the
dealership and from the independent.. You may find a large
difference, or maybe very little.

On 08/20/2011 10:40 AM, hls wrote:
<snip inanity>

> You may find a large
> difference, or maybe very little.

is there anything else you don't need to waste electrons about?


--
nomina rutrum rutrum

Follow up : went to dealer: for $285 parts and labor they will replace
belt. "If" water pump looks bad dealer will advise me and bill will go
up to $650. (we don't automatically replace water pump or push it
unless its really needed)

The independent shop said always replace water pump and they will charge
$650. (If you want we can just slap a belt on and match price)

Big difference in price to replace a part thats not needed just to be
cautious or run up the bill. What goes wrong with water pump? seals
leak or impeller wear out or what? Since most of the labor is already
been done getting to the belt, seems suspicious that bill more than
doubles just to stick in a $115 water pump. (which could also be
defective and leak)