Timing Belt Replacement: Mileage or Time?

I have a 2003 Tacoma, V-6. My Scheduled maintenance guide says replace timing belt every 90,000 miles or 72 months (6 yrs). An earlier post said 9 yrs. My mechanic says time is important as heat can degrade the belt over time.

 

Cool story, welcome to tw.

 

Rubber breaks down over time just like tires do, you would not want to be driving 75 mph
on 10 year old tire.

 

there are those out there who don't understand this.

 

I've done my own. Many people have. I was quoted about $900 for a shop to do it. I bought the parts (water pump, seals, belts, tensioners, etc...) of Ebay (there's a thread around here somewhere - just search for it, you'll find it) for <$300.

I had tore apart a few engines before (including a head gasket on my old 22RT-e 4Runner), but never on one that was my daily driver and was *critical* to get put back together properly, lol. I read a TON, researched, then read some more, and took my time. It took a solid weekend to do, started disassembly on Friday night and had it running again on Sunday early afternoon.

It's really not rocket science.

 

Well the difference is that 1) timing belts aren't exposed to UV light, and 2) if a timing belt fails you simply coast to a stop. So yeah, sucks you'd be stranded and need a tow, but it's not the same as a tire blowing.

 

Been there done that. But it was 60mph on a 14 year old tire, not as fun as it sounds

 

I know this is an old thread but I have a 2003 Tacoma Prerunner V6 Crew Cab with 173k miles. I have never changed the timing belt. After reading this thread I'll probably look into it.

 

Are you the original owner or you just dont know? What can you tell me about your ball joints

 

Not sure if this is worth posting but I figure its worth a shot in the dark.

 

Dude, you pull up an old thread just to tell everyone you'll 'probably' look into doing your timing belt?

 

he probably wont

 

Hey man, I know I'll rest easier knowing that. I was a bit worried there for a while.


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