Hi Ray,
Has there been anything written about interval to replace belts/hoses? I
seem to remember 3-4 years was good rule of thumb but seems that new ones
have better life.
We have darned harsh summers up here in No Calif., and don’t want a
hose/belt. Fluid changes other than manual?
This is an 05 Avalon I am asking about.
Ron in Ca
If your usage is normal, 15,000 to 18,000 miles per year, then your fluids
should be changed as per the manual. If you usage is harsh — very short
tirps, extreme dirt, stuff like that — then you might find your fluids need
to be changed on shorter intervals — intervals are defined by miles driven,
and on short tirps it could take many years to reach the mileage intervals
called for.
No matter what your usage is, belts and hoses should be inspected, then
replaced as needed. I live in So. Calif., and my money says my summers are
far more harsh than anything you get, and my belts and hoses seem to be very
reliable. You could beat the devil by replacing the belts and hoses after 3
or 4 years when your schedule and budget allows even if the items _look_ to
be okay.
"ron" <ya…@doodoo.org> wrote in message
news:VktNj.20356$%41.9394@nlpi064.nbdc.sbc.com…
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -
> Hi Ray,
> Has there been anything written about interval to replace belts/hoses? I
> seem to remember 3-4 years was good rule of thumb but seems that new ones
> have better life.
> We have darned harsh summers up here in No Calif., and don’t want a
> hose/belt. Fluid changes other than manual?
> This is an 05 Avalon I am asking about.
> Ron in Ca
Car manufacturers only inspect and replace these belts and hoses
instead of having an interval because it cuts down on maintenance
costs. But that does you no good in pouring rain on a country road at
night. I’d use the timing belt interval as a guide, although belts and
hoses last longer. Just to note, many car manufacturers tell you to
change the tires after 6 years because of rubber degradation.
In fact, Gates ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) radiator hoses
clocked over 200K miles in fleet service without signs of
electrochemical degradation. But unlike some people’s timing belts, I
wouldn’t go that far.
So it all depends on your tolerance to being stranded. A Gates
radiator/bypass hose is about $10-15 (rockauto.com). So it’s the safe
side and use timing belt interval as a guide: if severe service – do
your belts and hoses 5yr/60K miles (in fact, accessory belts are
routinely chagned with the timing belt). Normal service 6yr/90K miles.
But no more than 7yr/105K miles if you really want to stretch it.
On Apr 16, 1:29 pm, "ron" <ya…@doodoo.org> wrote:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -
> Hi Ray,
> Has there been anything written about interval to replace belts/hoses? I
> seem to remember 3-4 years was good rule of thumb but seems that new ones
> have better life.
> We have darned harsh summers up here in No Calif., and don’t want a
> hose/belt. Fluid changes other than manual?
> This is an 05 Avalon I am asking about.
> Ron in Ca
"ron" <ya…@doodoo.org> wrote in message
news:VktNj.20356$%41.9394@nlpi064.nbdc.sbc.com…
> Hi Ray,
> Has there been anything written about interval to replace belts/hoses? I
> seem to remember 3-4 years was good rule of thumb but seems that new ones
> have better life.
> We have darned harsh summers up here in No Calif., and don’t want a
> hose/belt. Fluid changes other than manual?
> This is an 05 Avalon I am asking about.
> Ron in Ca
As johngdole mentioned, Toyota just has belt and hose inspection at various
intervals instead of a stated replacement interval. Hoses are pretty easy
to keep an eye on so I would just replace them if they start to deteriorate.
We still have the original hoses on our ’97 Avalon with 140,000 miles.
I would replace accessory drive belts at the same time as the timing belt is
replaced since they have to come off to replace the timing belt.
The only fluid changes other than what is listed in the owner’s manual I
recommend is brake fluid replacement every other brake job. Brake fluid is
hydrophilic and absorbs water over time. The water in the brake fluid can
corrode brake lines and calipers, and replacing brake fluid is relatively
easy and inexpensive.
—
Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)
Thanks guys! I was kind of figuring that longer (to a point) was better.
My wife drives our 05 Avalon which has only 21k miles but 3 years on it.
She has recently returned to doing field Nursing visits after 4-5 years in
the office (she is an RN ) so don’t want her stranded will do as you both
suggest.
Ron in Ca
"ron" <ya…@doodoo.org> wrote in message
news:nBQNj.6999$GE1.3923@nlpi061.nbdc.sbc.com…
> Thanks guys! I was kind of figuring that longer (to a point) was better.
> My wife drives our 05 Avalon which has only 21k miles but 3 years on it.
> She has recently returned to doing field Nursing visits after 4-5 years in
> the office (she is an RN ) so don’t want her stranded will do as you both
> suggest.
> Ron in Ca
You’re welcome!
—
Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)