Avalon Timing Belt (again)

Inspect the belt visually looking closely for cracks, chafing, ect.. Inspect the belt tensioner as well, checking for spring operation and bad bearings in the idler pulley. If all looks good you probably can get a few thousand miles more on it. If the price of a belt and labor (usually under one hundred dollars) does not exceed the aggravation level of a possible ruined vacation, hassle, ect. then have it changed.

I'm sorry jor, I misread your post thinking that you meant the serpentine belt. If you have mostly stop and go driving on that belt you might want to have it changed. If it is mostly highway/constant speed mileage, it's probably alright to put a few thousand miles more on the belt. I would think of the ruined vacation scenario as well. IMHO.

We're all 'taking a big chance' in getting out of bed each day. Sorry, but the way I look at your situation, you want someone else, a total stranger on the 'net, to tell you whether your timing belt in your seven year old car is worth keeping another 2,000 miles or not. Then, if it breaks while you're on your trip, you can shake your head and tell yourself that you got bad advice from some jerk on the internet, but if you get back home without its breaking, you can pat yourself on the back and say that you saved XX dollars. You already know that you're on borrowed time with this belt....it can last ten more miles or ten thousand miles. Or thirty thousand miles. Make this decision yourself and good luck.

I wonder if they wrapped it up in plastic first... :/ Myself...I would just take the risk and drive it.. I kinda doubt it would break in another 2000 miles, although anything is possible.. But if you already ordered another car, I can't see spending the money on a belt for the old one, unless you plan to use it as a selling point... And in that case, you will still probably lose money on the deal... "$500-$700 average repair cost, if you do the water pump too", at a shop... I'd let the future owner worry about it, if you plan on getting rid of it.. What I would do...Keep enough money, or cards to be able to fix it or rent a car in the case that it did crap out.. But it you baby it, and most are highway miles with O/D on, it will probably hang for another 2k no sweat... Just don't play speed racer, and rev the snot out of it.. I'd be kinda suprised it it broke.. They make belts a bit better these days, than in years past.. Most will last quite a bit longer than rated, although it's not something I recommend testing on a regular basis... My honda accord is a bit past due, and it keeps cranking along... Course, I don't drive it much now, since I bought a corolla.. I was going to change the belt, but doubt I will now...I'll let whoever I pawn the thing off on worry about it. MK

Uhhhh... thanks for the condescending response. BTW, the purpose of this group as I understand it is to share information about Toyotas. Oftentimes, one can learn by asking. jor

Thanks for the advice.This car does about 25 or so miles per day of mostly town driving. I'm hoping the 07 (used) arrives before the trip. If not, I think I'll chance it as I hate to spend $500 on a car that I will trade in a week later. jor

Toyota (and most other automakers build in a little cushion on the maintenance intervals. My guess is that a timing belt with a 90K replacement interval will last around 120K miles. If it were my car and I were going to sell it soon, I would not bother changing the belt, unless I were selling it to someone I know.

Have a safe trip!

If it were a Ford Escort....I'd tell him to worry.

Mine broke with regularity at 55,000 miles (scheduled 60K)....

Fortunately for jor, I've never seen a Toyota t-belt break prematurely.

Ha! The value of procrastination once more proves its worth. My new (used) Camry came in so now I can just trade in the Avalon. Man, this has been a great car. Thanks all for the advice. jor