I’m driving a 1999 RAV4. I do regular oil changes. I replaced the brake pads years ago, but I think I got conned. That mechanic also told me my timing belt needed to be replaced. It did not. This vehicle is incredible. It’s a little freaking tank. My pride and joy…
If it had a timing belt on that engine, and hadn’t been changed already, then yes it needed a timing belt.
Its a preventative maintenance part. You don’t want to run it till it breaks then fix it, because a broken belt can mean valves are down (open) and piston is coming up for a interference crash.
Agreed. However, at the time (15 years ago?), when I was told I needed to replace the timing belt, I got a second opinion and was told there was absolutely nothing wrong with the existing timing belt. I think the original mechanic was a bit dodgy :( I also truly believe he needlessly replaced my brake pads. But that’s another story. The timing belt was replaced in 2018 by my now amazing mechanic! Actually, I think he gets a kick out of me when I ask him if this or that needs to be checked. Invariably, everything is fine, he shakes his head, assures me, and sends me happily on my way 🥰
Sometimes you find honest places.
When I had an 80s Honda into the 2000s, I took it into the dealer and gave a list of maintenance items of what I assumed it needed for its age. Like shocks, stabilizer bushings, ball joints etc.
They came back with “You just need new tires, we’ve never had to replace shocks unless there’s been a serious accident” and pointed to a sign on the wall. The sign was a 70s Honda hatchback picture with a note that the car still was running on the original shocks.
They could have sold me all kinds of parts and labour back then (before I was more into cars), but they took the honest route.
I’m driving a 1999 RAV4. I do regular oil changes. I replaced the brake pads years ago, but I think I got conned. That mechanic also told me my timing belt needed to be replaced. It did not. This vehicle is incredible. It’s a little freaking tank. My pride and joy…
If it had a timing belt on that engine, and hadn’t been changed already, then yes it needed a timing belt.
Its a preventative maintenance part. You don’t want to run it till it breaks then fix it, because a broken belt can mean valves are down (open) and piston is coming up for a interference crash.
Agreed. However, at the time (15 years ago?), when I was told I needed to replace the timing belt, I got a second opinion and was told there was absolutely nothing wrong with the existing timing belt. I think the original mechanic was a bit dodgy :( I also truly believe he needlessly replaced my brake pads. But that’s another story. The timing belt was replaced in 2018 by my now amazing mechanic! Actually, I think he gets a kick out of me when I ask him if this or that needs to be checked. Invariably, everything is fine, he shakes his head, assures me, and sends me happily on my way 🥰
Sometimes you find honest places. When I had an 80s Honda into the 2000s, I took it into the dealer and gave a list of maintenance items of what I assumed it needed for its age. Like shocks, stabilizer bushings, ball joints etc. They came back with “You just need new tires, we’ve never had to replace shocks unless there’s been a serious accident” and pointed to a sign on the wall. The sign was a 70s Honda hatchback picture with a note that the car still was running on the original shocks. They could have sold me all kinds of parts and labour back then (before I was more into cars), but they took the honest route.