Timing Belt inspection

isawdan · 10-10-2008, 04:18 PM

Is there any way to tell if the timing belt has been changed without tearing the front of the engine apart ? 4AGE engine 87 MR2. Some kind of an inspection cover or a trick of the trade would be appreciated. Thanks Dan

Teado · 10-10-2008, 04:31 PM

You can take the timing cover off with 3 bolts and inspect the condition of the belt. Helps to have a small mirror and flashlight to get a good look at the belt. If you would like a more complete look, turn the crank a bit and look at the rest. Also you can check to see if both cams are lined up while at TDC. For the most part the timing belt is fairly protected and lasts much longer than the other v-belts down lower.

fuzor · 10-10-2008, 05:18 PM

ther is no way to check the condition a timing belt by looking at it if u dont no the last time that whas repleace do u self a favor, change it befor it quit's on u

Teado · 10-10-2008, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fuzor

ther is no way to check the condition a timing belt by looking at it if u dont no the last time that whas repleace do u self a favor, change it befor it quit's on u

There all kinds of things you can check..

Look for cracks, missing rubber belt cogs, stiff rubber, discoloration, fraying belt material.

When I first bought my MR2 I made sure to look at the belt really well. I replaced the belt about 6 months later, and it was in fine condition, but I wanted the piece of mind and I already had things tore apart.

fuzor · 10-11-2008, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Teado

There all kinds of things you can check..

Look for cracks, missing rubber belt cogs, stiff rubber, discoloration, fraying belt material.

When I first bought my MR2 I made sure to look at the belt really well. I replaced the belt about 6 months later, and it was in fine condition, but I wanted the piece of mind and I already had things tore apart.

OK u check the belt an it looks fine. so don't need replacement????
or u goin to wait til the belt has mising rubber,stiff rubber,discoloration fraying. or a snap belt!! like u said it's all about pice off mine.
all I say if u dont know how many miles or age off the belt.it's good idea
to replace it

328FTW · 10-12-2008, 03:44 AM

The rubber belts are pretty good and will last a long time. I would still recommend a change over but the rubber belts get a bad name as far as I'm concerned. I had a 4age with a timing belt that had a hole right through it from a dropped bolt and I had no idea how long it had been like that but I was revving out a lot on that belt and it didn't snap

isawdan · 10-13-2008, 09:11 PM

Thanks for the tips

tjmr2 · 10-16-2008, 12:22 AM

Unless the engine has been modified with pistons and had the head shaved it's a Non Interference engine. Meaning that if the timing belt breaks the engine will just die.

No parts will bang into each other, the pistons will not hit the valves (like in many Honda engines).

Install a new belt and you are on the road again. Toyota recommends replacement at 60k, I went twice that long on my original and it still looked good. Replace yours if it would make you feel better but it's probably not something to worry about.

toy-driver · 10-21-2008, 06:24 PM

I vote for replacing it. A good looking belt can still fail.

10-10-2008, 04:18 PM	#1 (permalink)
isawdan No Skills Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: plainfield IL Posts: 2 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	Timing Belt inspection Is there any way to tell if the timing belt has been changed without tearing the front of the engine apart ? 4AGE engine 87 MR2. Some kind of an inspection cover or a trick of the trade would be appreciated. Thanks Dan

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

10-10-2008, 04:31 PM	#2 (permalink)
Teado MK1 = My Daily Addiction Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Oregon Posts: 272 Thanks: 11 Thanked 9 Times in 8 Posts iTrader Rating: (2/100% )	You can take the timing cover off with 3 bolts and inspect the condition of the belt. Helps to have a small mirror and flashlight to get a good look at the belt. If you would like a more complete look, turn the crank a bit and look at the rest. Also you can check to see if both cams are lined up while at TDC. For the most part the timing belt is fairly protected and lasts much longer than the other v-belts down lower.

10-10-2008, 05:18 PM	#3 (permalink)
fuzor NO SKILLS??(check my car) Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: SOME WHERE Posts: 38 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	ther is no way to check the condition a timing belt by looking at it if u dont no the last time that whas repleace do u self a favor, change it befor it quit's on u

10-12-2008, 03:44 AM	#6 (permalink)
328FTW Crazy Nasty Honey Badger Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: New Zealand Posts: 5,222 Thanks: 24 Thanked 266 Times in 239 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (1/100% )	The rubber belts are pretty good and will last a long time. I would still recommend a change over but the rubber belts get a bad name as far as I'm concerned. I had a 4age with a timing belt that had a hole right through it from a dropped bolt and I had no idea how long it had been like that but I was revving out a lot on that belt and it didn't snap

10-13-2008, 09:11 PM	#7 (permalink)
isawdan No Skills Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: plainfield IL Posts: 2 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	Thanks for the tips

10-16-2008, 12:22 AM	#8 (permalink)
tjmr2 Cage Fighter Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Colorado Posts: 409 Thanks: 0 Thanked 62 Times in 59 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	Unless the engine has been modified with pistons and had the head shaved it's a Non Interference engine. Meaning that if the timing belt breaks the engine will just die. No parts will bang into each other, the pistons will not hit the valves (like in many Honda engines). Install a new belt and you are on the road again. Toyota recommends replacement at 60k, I went twice that long on my original and it still looked good. Replace yours if it would make you feel better but it's probably not something to worry about.

10-21-2008, 06:24 PM	#9 (permalink)
toy-driver Getting there Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 282 Thanks: 3 Thanked 11 Times in 11 Posts iTrader Rating: (3/100% )	I vote for replacing it. A good looking belt can still fail.