timing belt question

The timing belt on my 2000 Tacoma (v 6 mannual tran) broke last month (82,000) My mechanic was surprised as he had never seen Tacoma timing belts go this early. He said the truck either has more miles on it than says or towed some heavy loads. Bought the truck last year, seems to be well cared for. Does anyone know how long timing belts should last? and why it would go prematurely?

Thanks

 

I have a 2000 tacoma and run it to the grond and I did mine around 70,000. I did also tow a boat before I turned it into a prerunnner.

 

Run into the ground and towed a boat sorry.

 

My brothers 96 with the 3.4 v-6 is currently at 186K miles on the timing belt and it still looks new, no weathering, cracking, or signs of stretching. But they are recommended to be replaced every 60K-90K miles.

 

My '85 Civic's timing belt snapped at 56K and '91 broke at 78k. May be the extreme cold weather we have here in Northern Illinois made the rubber based timing belts so stiff. So, no more Hondas or any car having a timing belt!. I now have a '06 Taco with 2.7L 4cyl engine. The biggest reason I chose the 4cyl engine was that 4cyl had a timing chain. The biggest reason I did not buy one with 6cyl engine was that 6cyl had a timing belt and it is an "interference fit" type engine which means that the valves and pistons collide each other when the belt snaps and engine can be severely damaged. On the other hand my 4-cylinder is a "free spin" type engine which means that even when the timing chain breaks(I've never heard of that the chain broke, though), the valves and pistons will not collide each other and the repair is relatively cheap because all you have to do is to install the new chain. I've been impressed by Toyota lately because more and more cars, even Corolla engine has a timing chain now.

 

That sounds interesting, I wonder if there are conversion kits available to go from a belt to a chain. I did mine at 85 cause it was a designated do, but if it could be converted, I would do it in a heartbeat.

 

Am I mistaken? I thought the first generation Tacoma's had timing chains.

 

If a 99 is first gen then it's a belt, at least mine is.

 

My Tacoma is a '97 and my mechanic said it used a chain. Let me know If he is wrong please!

 

All V-6s prior to 2005 used a belt only th 4-cylinders had chains. Recommended belt change is at about 60k on that generation V-6 most will last to 90 if you baby them. Towing or pulling loads has nothing to do with wear as the belt is only driving the cam shafts and has nothing to do with what laod is on the engine except that high reving and drastic changes in RPM are hard on belts. Poor tensioning can also play a role in premature belt wear.

 

Thank you! That is the best answer yet. Now If only you knew something about ADDCO sway-bars!

 

What did you want to know! First tell me what you are planning on using your truck for the 5% of the time when it needs to be the badest of the bad. towing? off roading? rock climbing or just going around corners fast?
j.p. AKA thrck Champion

 

I am mainly looking to improve handling for street driving. I haul stuff so I am really limited on what I can do so mainly shocks and sway bars for upgrades?

 

ADDCO makes decent Sway Bars. Some others to consider are Hellwig, Eibach,Hotchkis or Tanabe. Hotchkis perform very well and look the best with thier Eye grabbing red powder coat. they are beefy and there is only a little rub on the steering rack boot when the truck is in the air as the bar is very thick. ADDCO are alodine coated for rust resistance but will not show as well as the hotchkis. Hope this helps Tokico makes great adjustible shocks. Weather or not they have an application for you year truck is the question. But there are a lot of choices out there for street performance. If it is easily adjustible go for it.

 

Thanks for the tip! I was looking at the ADDCO and now will do some further research. Lambert

 

The hellwig is a better fit up on the rear. If you are lowered or are goina lower the addco will give you some grief on instalation. Up front the addco is a good upgrade.

Hilux - when I look in my manual it looks like the 4cylinder engines are interfearance.

 

Now you answered my question! THanks Flatboy!

 

last one on the 1st gen list

 

This post is older than my niece.