Timing Belt - When to Replace? Can it Wait?

Hey all,

I have a 94 Corolla with 132,000 miles; I got it when it had 104,000. No problems. I don't believe the previous owner replaced the timing belt. It is reccomended to be replaced at 60,000 miles. I don't want to fork over the cash to do it if I can wait.

Do the timing belts really need to be replaced that often? How long have you gone without replacing one?

Thanks all.

I'd replace it just so you know where you're at. Recommended replacement interval is 60,000 miles. The Gates Belt catalog doesn't list this as an interference engine so possibly the worst that could happen is it would leave you stranded somewhere.

By the way, I've never seen one actually break - the cogs strip off them. I had one strip at 85,000 miles once and one of my boys had one strip at 90,000 miles. A telltale sign with my son's car was that the timing seemed to be off a bit and the car would ping like crazy upon acceleration. I noticed this about 1-2 weeks before it actually stripped. I also had one strip on a Dodge Neon interference engine that caused me to have to rebuild the head because of bent valves.

Well I would tell you that I had one break once and I was about 80 miles from the nearest town and the tow truck cost more than getting the belt replaced. So I would do it anyhow. If the P/O replaced it at 60K miles its still due for another replacement. I paid like $300 to fix it and thats really not that bad when you think about it. Well good luck!

the belt cogs usually strip off on the crank teeth, usually when it does the motor will quit like you cut the ignition off.as the belt gets old it can do it at anytime .and most of the time it out in the middle of no where or in the middle of traffic at rush hour.the belt is not really expensive but a lot of labor is required to put one in.as the belt is under a cover.