Timing belt.

Has anyone out there actually had a timing belt on a 3.4 v6 let go without warning regardless of miles?..All I ever hear or read is about suggested preventitive replacement not that the belt has actually failed.

 

Yes they have failed.

 

They do fail, however usually a water pump fails first, initiating a preventative timing belt replacement.

 

I asked this same question never did get a answer from anyone who had a timing belt failure .

Just the reply`s that they should be changed or that I read that one failed .

It most likely happens it just does not make it into any forums .

People still have no idea about the frame issues How would they know about changing the timing belt to it fails.

 

I've seen one fail on a 3rd gen 4runner at 230K miles. Original belt. It actually failed because it was impregnated with oil from weepy can seals.

 

Non interference engine. You'll just be stranded.

 

Timely, my truck is getting the belt changed tomorrow. I've had accessory belts snap on older trucks...but since this is a non-interference engine I let the truck go to 160K. I "think" the original owner did the belt at 90K...but I don't want to get stuck.

 

Check the air box for a sticker, if the belt was changed a shop, they (usually) slap a sticker on top of the air box with the mileage and the shop name

 

given what my belt looked like, i'd say my truck was still on it's first when i changed it at 193k. cracked like the one posted above, but hadn't failed yet. it was only a matter of time.

also as stated above, even it it fails, you're just looking at resetting the timing and putting a new belt on. there's some peace of mind in that. ...well, that and the tow fee (and shop fee if you can't get it back to your place).

Better to do it on your own schedule...

 

Curious, how many miles on that belt?

 

Yeah I checked high and low...no sign. I figured I'd avoid the headache and just do it now.

 

Define non - interference engine please.

 

here's 193k

 

Daaaaammmmn, that's a good run on a timing belt. Almost 200k without breaking. Crazy. I always recommend folks follow the manufacturer specified change interval on the timing belt. But most I've done could get away with possibly running an additional 30k or 40k. But really, it's just not worth it to intentionally go that long.

 

non interference engines have valves that never drop below the crest of the piston. in an interference engine if your timing chain goes and valves are opening when the piston is at the top of the stroke they can get bent and smashed.

 

definitely not my choice, but i'm glad it lasted that long! it was the second thing i did to the truck after changing the rotors and pads. better to be able to stop than start...

 

Both mileage and age affects the belt. My truck has 100k miles but it 15 years old, so I am planning on replacing it not because of the mileage (although it is time per the recommended interval), but more because of the age - the serpentine belts are starting to show serious dry-rot type cracks. My wife's minivan is only 4 years old but she has 156,000 miles on it already. I replaced the time belt the other day and it still looked almost brand new, so my conclusion is that time do as much damage to the belt than miles.

 

Thanks for all your replies..a great help.

 

225,000 it still looks new compared to some of the pictures on this thread

I know there is at least 100,000 miles I put on

I have no clue how many miles are on all together.

 

you're a gamblin' man...