signs of a bad drive belt?

ampmom · Post by **ampmom** » 08 Mar 2011, 12:33

I was told today that my safety inspection passed but it was more of a "favor." The guy said my drive belt needs to be changed. My car runs fine, sounds fine. Is there a way I can tell it's going bad? I'm a single mom with no family around so a dependable car is very important and getting stuck would be very bad for us. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I'm also unemployed so cost is a big factor right now (we're not on welfare) and I'm probably an easy target for being taken advantage of. Thanks!

otis44 · Post by **otis44** » 08 Mar 2011, 14:00

Squealing or fraying of the belt itself will indicate that the belt is about to go or need replaced. About any reputable repair shop should be able to handle this task and it shouldn't be expensive to change. You most likely can pick a belt up from any chain supplier or order through one of the many supporters of this forum (FCP Groton, Myvolvoparts, etc.) If I thought it was bad i'd get it checked because they will break at the most inopportune times and when it does you will more than likely have a tow bill to go along with the cost of the belt replacement, not to mention other possible issues caused by the belt breaking.

Post by **JRL** » 08 Mar 2011, 15:09

Take a flashlight and look at it
If it's starting to fray around the edges... change it!

ampmom · Post by **ampmom** » 08 Mar 2011, 15:28

I looked under the hood and only see one belt - to the left side. My manual isn't very descriptive about location of the thing. That belt looks great. It has a nick in the side on one part, but it's in good shape, no fraying, not loose. In fact, except for the nick, it looks new. I'm sure there's a timing belt, but I don't see it. On a previous Toyota, the timing belt was behind a cover.

People keep telling me the car is about done in because it's 10 years old and has 204,000 miles on it, but it's a great car. I've had it a year and a half so I don't know it very well, but it seems very well built and like it can last maybe to even 300,000 miles!

Post by **JRL** » 08 Mar 2011, 16:21

Err yeah!
200K miles?
Change it ASAP

ed7 · Post by **ed7** » 08 Mar 2011, 19:30

Yes, It is time to replace the timing belt if you haven't already. It's gonna be kinda pricey, so shop this one.
As for the accessory belt, an auto parts store like Advance and Auto Zone can change it for you in their parking lot for just the price of the belt.
Check your documentation if you don't know about the timing belt.
Ed