The 200k mile timing belt I kept postponing finally let go

I've been doing my own maintenance for 15 years and always heard the rule about replacing timing belts around 100k miles. I figured modern belts were better and pushed mine to 200k on my 2004 Tacoma. Last Tuesday on I-5 near Tacoma it snapped at a stoplight and bent two valves. The tow and repair cost me $1,400, which is way more than the $400 belt kit I kept skipping. Has anyone else stretched intervals like this and got lucky, or am I the only one who learned the hard way?

2 comments

2 Comments

ward.diana1d ago

My buddy Mike did the same thing on his old Honda. He was at 180k miles and kept saying he'd get to it next oil change. Belt snapped in his driveway, which honestly was the only lucky part. Still cost him $900 for the head work and parts. His exact words were that he saved $400 but spent $900, so the math never works out. We all rag on him about it at the shop whenever someone mentions timing belts. He finally sold the car and buys newer Toyotas now, just pays for the scheduled maintenance upfront.

margaret5511d ago

Damn @ward.diana hit the nail on the head with that math. Same thing happened to my buddy's 4Runner, he kept pushing it and the belt let go at a gas station of all places. Bent a couple valves too and he was out like $1,200 plus a rental car for two weeks. I tell everyone now to just set a reminder on your phone the day you buy the truck, do the belt and water pump together while you're in there. The labor is the same so you might as well replace both parts at once. I've done three timing belts on my own rigs and honestly the job takes a weekend if you're careful, way cheaper than a tow and a head repair. Sucks you learned this way but at least you know for next time. Do it at 100k even if the belt looks fine, rubber degrades from the inside out and you can't always see it.