(Home) Timing belt changing and warning light

Hi,

Does anyone Know anything about changing the timing belt. Apparantly you are supposed to change it every few thousand miles is this correct?. If so does anyone know where i can buy one and how much it would cost?

- (#3870) Kim Phelan, 18 Jul 02

It's been covered a few times so check Townace.com. Toyota recommend changing it every 100,000 km (62,00 miles). Worth doing it more frequently.

Ian

- (#3871) Ian Dunse, 18 Jul 02

kim. it's quite a straightforward job (2c-t diesel) once you have the drivers seat/floorpan etc out which, only takes 30/40 minutes. i agree with ian, a new belt, at fairly frequent intervals, is much cheaper than a snapped belt and the consequent ruination of the engine. the belt job does allow you to inspect all the other belts, cooling fan, radiator, pulleys etc and you will also learn a lot about your vehicle. belts cost from around £25 and there are various supplying sources so check the ace answers site. if i were putting the job out, i would not take my vehicle to a garage which was not familiar with the townace/masterace/liteace configuration but,locally,(midlands) a belt change costs around £120 hth

- (#3873) John Davis, 18 Jul 02


My Royal Lounge is due for it's MOT soon and I was thinking of having the timing belt changed as I don't know when it was last done....I have noticed a T Belt light on the dash and was wondering when this comes on. A label on the engine says the belt needs changing every 100k, so does the light come on automatically after this mileage? Any one able to advise me please.

- (#4017) Dave Freer, 28 Jul 02

Yes, the light is linked to the odometer. Somewhere under the dash you'll find a switch (on the end of a flying lead)to reset it for the same interval. 92-on vehicles only.

- (#4018) david miller, 28 Jul 02

David, after re-setting this switch does it start to count a further 100k from that point or just to the next 100k mark on the odometer.?
My belt was changed at about 60k when it arrived in the country by the previous owner and again at 148k when I had to have the engine rebuilt so shouldn't need another change until about 250k but will I have my light come on at 200k?

- (#4019) Mark, 28 Jul 02

100-ish k on the odo- or leave it on, and it'll go out instead, it's a two way switch setup like stair lights...

- (#4021) david miller, 28 Jul 02

David, thanks for the reply, I'll save my money for now!

- (#4026) Dave Freer, 29 Jul 02


This is a great site for collecting useful info regarding Townies.I have a 1989 4WD townace super deluxe.My question is how do you know when the timing belt needs to be changed.I have looked in the dashboard but cannot find any indicator or warning lamp that will warn me when to change the timing belt. I've had this townie for over a year and the mileage when I bought it was 125000K. The timing belt,I suppose was changed at the 100000K mark.I have done another 65000k which brings me to about190000K.Would I get an indication when I need to change the belt. Appreciate some advice or pointers regarding this matter. Many thanks in advance.
Sam

- (#6032) Sam Hunt, 7 Nov 02

Nothing can tell you when... There's normally a sticker on the belt cover tho. The post 92 models have a light, but what use is that- the belt could be shredded by the time the light comes on. If you've no proof that the belt was done before you got the bus, DO IT NOW!
A belt is £20 and about four hours labour, an engine is a lot more...

- (#6033) david miller, 8 Nov 02

I have tried to change my timing belt but got stuck at the final job of removing the crankshaft pulley bolt. You need to get this off to remove the bottom piece of timing belt cover. Looking in the RM manual, they use a couple of special tools. Is it possible to get the bolt undone by another means?
My van is a master Ace surf 4X4, 2CT engine. and it does over heat.
Whilst its stripped down, what Kenlowe or other type/model of electric fan have people used.

- (#6090) kelvin youngs, 11 Nov 02

The bolt comes off easilyish- the starter can do the work for you! put a socket on the bolt, with a long breaker bar on it.rest it securely against something firm so that it holds still when you turn the engine over. Then just give the starter a short bump.

You will however need to hire or fabricate a puller to remove the pulley. Not so hard, there's four holes in the pulley, and the end of the crank is straight, not tapered.

- (#6091) david miller, 11 Nov 02

I have been trying to change my fan belt, it,s now screaming it's b******s off when the engine is cold.
I took out my drivers seat, and the floor panel, but still cant get at it because of all the water pipes.Am I going to have to disconnect these, or is there another way. Alocal garage quoted me a price of £150 + vat to do the cam, fan and power steering belts.
Also could any one tell me how much it would cost me for an ignition barrel as my key has broken inside, and I can't get it out no way no how.

- (#6690) colin, 14 Jan 03

Not sure of your problem Colin. Townace has 3 belts. The "fan" belt is adjustable from underneath by adjusting the idler puller by means of tightening/slackening a bolt. The other two, and to replace the fan belt is by removing the seat, floor, fan shroud. It's relatively easy to access all three from that point on. Piccies and explanation on AceAnswers to assist. You are referring to the fan belt and not the timing belt?

- (#6731) Ian Dunse, 14 Jan 03

Colin, replaced my Ign. barrel about 6 months ago - price approx £21 from Toyota.

Tony.

- (#6732) Tony Lloyd-Jones, 14 Jan 03


i have a townace with 68000kms on clock , i have no record of cambelt change even though vehicle has been in u.k. 4 almost 4yrs , it is a 1987 royal lounge & so far has given me no problems at all (touch wood),any advice on servicing and general care would be appreciated , also any solution to gas guzzling as i'm getting only around 17 - 22 mpg in town & out
any tips
cheers
rob k

- (#7410) ROB.K, 25 Feb 03

You can view the belt by taking the top cover off, the curved bit infront of the oil filler, if in doubt change it. Changing it is easy to do but as the engine is buried time consuming. Have a look on AceAnswers for hints and tips, buy the engine manual if you intend to do repairs yourself, may even be of use to a local garage. See AceAnswers for fuel consumption also.

- (#7411) Clive, 26 Feb 03