Timing Belt Replacement: Mileage or Time?

I have a 2003 V6 TRD X-tra cab Tacoma that is pretty much my third vehicle. While living in Germany for a year in 2007, I had my truck properly stored. As a result, my truck only has 17,500 miles on it. The owner's and service manual indicate to change the timing belt at 90,000 miles or 6-7 years (can't remember which), whichever comes first.

Do I really need to heed the time recommendation and consider changing the timing belts, water pump, etc in 2010, or can I wait longer? I did read in another thread that one should change the timing belt at no longer than the 10 year point, no matter the mileage.

 

Yes you need to do as the owner’s manual says. I don’t know if your engine is an “interference” engine but this is where the valves and pistons will collide in the combustion chamber if the belt breaks. Obviously a very catastrophic and expen$ive event. If the engine is non-interference then the worst that can happen is you will be stranded at the most inconvenient time at the most remote location. You will now have the added cost of towing and still have to have the timing belt and water pump changed but not at a time of your choosing. Not worth trying to stretch it.

 

The factory recommendation for timing belt replacement on a 5VZ is 90,000 miles or 9 years (108 months).

The 5VZ is a non-interference engine.

 

9 years is more palatable.

 

This about sums it up nicely.

 

bump
id like to get a little more input on this thread before i make any decisions

 

Just lookin to see if anyone has done this on their own?
Also what else would you recommend changing while replacing the belt?

 

I did this on my 5vz,
Change the water pump,
Both pulleys

I recommend to buy from here.

http://www.store.partsdinosaur.com/page75.html

 

awesome. id love to change it myself, just real hard finding the time

 

Also might as well change the AC belt, PS belt, Alt belt. I have no real insight on doing this with the engine in the truck, because I did it on a engine out of the truck since I am doing a 3.4 swap in my 89. It was straight forward though probably take a full saturday to get it done.

Your gonna need make a SST tool to get the crank pulley off. And be sure to torque everything back to OEM spec.

Just do a quick google search and you'll find everything you'll need to know.

 

Thanks for getting me on the right path. Google has answers to everything...

 

So even though his truck only has 17500 miles on it, you're saying to change the timing belt because of the time it's been on the truck? Does the material the belt is made of simply degrade over time and need replacing, regardless of the mileage?

 

Yea, thats something Ive been meaning to do. I think Id like to try and attempt it myself. Does anyone have the Toyota Service Manual regarding this?

 

Chris.... Thank you. Once again, you've proven to be awesome!

 

I just read thru that manual. NO way in hell i could do that with my knowledge!