Is anyone aware of any genuine OEM Toyota timing belt that ever failed, whether it was the result of high mileage or old age? I have heard stories of aftermarket timing belts that broke, but not OEM. Of course, I don't know everything that's going on out there, so that's why I'm asking.
OEM Timing Belts - do they really break?
- Thread starter DIY4quality
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And a meteor could land on your car. But I've never heard of that actually happening.
Seen several high mileage 5S-FE, 1MZ-FE, 5VZ-FE, 1UZ-FE, 2UZ-FE & 2JZ-GE engines with broken original timing belts, Dry rot is what I usually see.
Just out of curiosity, do you recall at what mileage those belts broke, or how many miles after they were in the engine?
I had the timing belt on my Highlander changed based on time, not miles, this last fall. I probably didn't have to change it, but I wanted to play it safe. But this thread does make me curious.
I had the timing belt on my Highlander changed based on time, not miles, this last fall. I probably didn't have to change it, but I wanted to play it safe. But this thread does make me curious.
Can't happen.
I see you're from Texas, a state with a hot climate. Probably safe to say that arid climates are more risky for rubber timing belts regardless of OEM or aftermarket.
With that being said....I saw a 300,000+ mile 1UZ-FE with it's original belt, Badly dry rotted though & ready to break at any minute.
How old and what mileage is yours that it's a concern?
Usually 225,000 plus, They're not what I would consider hard on timing belts, And with the exception of the 2JZ-GE & 2UZ-FE....They're not "Interference" engines.
Haha, no this is not a trick question. I'm aware that longevity on some parts is strongly influenced by the local climate. For example, if you have salt on the winter roads, dry/hot weather, lots of rain/moisture, etc.
I'm in the SF Bay Area which has a very moderate climate. We don't generally see dry rot on most things, and I never heard of a quality OEM timing belt that failed around here. We also don't have frames rust out.
I'm in the SF Bay Area which has a very moderate climate. We don't generally see dry rot on most things, and I never heard of a quality OEM timing belt that failed around here. We also don't have frames rust out.
I didn't know that Scotty Kilmer posted here
While not comparable to the mild climate portions of California....The real arid regions of Texas are west of where I live. Get's more Sub-Tropical the further East & South you go.
Midland/Odessa & DFW might as well be on different planets.
Our sienna got its original belt changed at 60k miles and 15years. Our climate is easy on rubber and batteries though. Just threw away it’s original winter tires at 17years old last spring. Down to 2mm tread, but not cracked or anything.
Since you didn't mention Toyota in your post title, I'll chime in on my 2005 Caravan 2.4L (bought new). Timing belt change interval in the owner's manual is 10 years or 120,000 miles.
My OE belt broke at 99,510 miles, approximately 6.5 years from new. Clean break. Climatically, the van lived in Abilene, TX; Shreveport, LA; central California, and finally San Angelo, TX. Non-interference engine, so replaced with a full Gates kit (including idler, tensioner, and water pump). Took me about 12 hours...but I'm very meticulous and clean everything as I go.
That belt broke in two places on 14 March 2018 at 179,592 miles. Still lasted about 6.5 years, but only went round & round for a shade over 80K miles. During this belt's tenure, the van lived in San Angelo, TX; Tucson, AZ, and metro St. Louis. Replaced with another complete Gates kit.
That belt is happily humming along today at 246,000 miles in Corpus Christi, TX. My lessons learned?
1. The more I do the job, the easier and quicker it is.
2. I actually like the Gates kits.
3. I don't think I'll tempt fate past 6.5 years...and will probably do a pre-emptive change in the summer of '24, at which time I'll probably have 80K on the belt.
So yeah...they break.
My OE belt broke at 99,510 miles, approximately 6.5 years from new. Clean break. Climatically, the van lived in Abilene, TX; Shreveport, LA; central California, and finally San Angelo, TX. Non-interference engine, so replaced with a full Gates kit (including idler, tensioner, and water pump). Took me about 12 hours...but I'm very meticulous and clean everything as I go.
That belt broke in two places on 14 March 2018 at 179,592 miles. Still lasted about 6.5 years, but only went round & round for a shade over 80K miles. During this belt's tenure, the van lived in San Angelo, TX; Tucson, AZ, and metro St. Louis. Replaced with another complete Gates kit.
That belt is happily humming along today at 246,000 miles in Corpus Christi, TX. My lessons learned?
1. The more I do the job, the easier and quicker it is.
2. I actually like the Gates kits.
3. I don't think I'll tempt fate past 6.5 years...and will probably do a pre-emptive change in the summer of '24, at which time I'll probably have 80K on the belt.
So yeah...they break.
That's a genuine testimonial! I tip my hat to you for doing the work yourself, it's way above my paygrade.
Not really that difficult with time and patience. And beer.
Kidding aside, I'll bet most OEMs for timing belts are the big names like Gates, Mitsubishi, Continental, etc. They all let go at one point or another.
If you keep cars for a long time like I do, it's probably better to be a little proactive.
Kidding aside, I'll bet most OEMs for timing belts are the big names like Gates, Mitsubishi, Continental, etc. They all let go at one point or another.
If you keep cars for a long time like I do, it's probably better to be a little proactive.
It gets pretty hot under the hood and right next to the block regardless of climate. And heat cycling accelerates deterioration.
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