Should I replace belt?

[roscodog]

I just bought a 1988 Camry with 340,000 KMs (212,000 miles). The timing belt was changed by the previous owner at 100 and 200K (60 and 120K miles). Is the belt going to fail any minute? Should I change it or just wait until it goes?

[vwtoyhonda]

I would change it. If it’s not a free running engine you could damage your valves and that’s costly and at if it is, you would not damage the engine but you might have to tow it after it leaves you stranded

[DonSor]

Inspect or have someone inspect the serpentine belt. An inspect can quickly determine if the belt needs changing. Most cars nowadays only use a single belt which drives most of the accessories. However, if in doubt, change it because if you lose the belt, specially in the middle of the freeway, you got problems.

Don

[AccordCodger]

Well, true, DonSor, but he was talking about the Timing belt.

roscodog - change it now.

[DonSor]

Originally Posted by AccordCodger

Well, true, DonSor, but he was talking about the Timing belt.

roscodog - change it now.

Gomen na sai (Sorry). That's one thing I dislike about many foreign cars. They use timing belts for the rockers instead of chain. There is a scheduled maintenance (80-100k miles) that calls for replacing the timing belt. It's somewhat expensive as with it they go ahead and replace also the water pump and the fan clutch since they have to be removed during the process. It's like getting your apendix out while doing an inguinal hernia operation. Note: A car can go its lifetime without the timing belt being changed (My daughter had a Nissan with 250k miles without the timing belt being changed) Then again it go go much sooner. If it goes, your engine is terminal. If it goes because you failed to have it replaced when the warranty was in force, you're up the creek. It's a chance you take. With the car that old I'll chance it.

[DFBonnett]

Originally Posted by roscodog

I just bought a 1988 Camry with 340,000 KMs (212,000 miles). The timing belt was changed by the previous owner at 100 and 200K (60 and 120K miles). Is the belt going to fail any minute? Should I change it or just wait until it goes?

Yes, you should change it at your earliest convenience. No, it is not likely to snap momentarily. It is a non-interference engine so if it does snap you'll just be dead in the road with no likely engine damage. Unfortunately, that road is often in East Hockaloogie and it seems to always happen at 10PM on a Sunday night in the rain. You can do it at your convenience or fate's convenience, but you will do it eventually.

[AccordCodger]

That's one thing I dislike about many foreign cars. They use timing belts for the rockers instead of chain.

Well, a lot more than just foreign cars! Like a 96 Grand Prix for example.

It's somewhat expensive as with it they go ahead and replace also the water pump and the fan clutch

Well - yeah - the water pump is a cheap and sensible swap at the same time. But what fan clutch? The fans are electric.