Anyone used their cam belt for more than 5 years, but less than the max mileage?

[olddriver]

My cam belt has been on the car for 49,000 miles, the manual says it should be changed after 63,000 or 5 years, but I just realised that it has been on the car for 9 years!!!

Has anyone had a cam belt fail and if so was it catastrophic?

I am thinking of getting rid of the car so am reluctant to change it.

I had one go on a Sierra and immediately dipped the clutch, and there was no problem, but that was at about 40, I'd hate to think what may happen at 70..

[oldcodger]

Hi,

You need to establish ( look on the web)  if your engine is an  'interference or non- interference type'  the latter meaning if the belt breaks the pistons will not hit the valves when they go out of sync following a belt break.

Yes, you should have replaced at 5 years old, despite the low mileage.

Selling the car without a new belt could cause you problems in that you might get less because the belt is so old, plus,  though a private sale is buyer beware , but the buyer would not be a happy bunny if the belt broken soon after they took it.

If trading in to a dealer, not your problem.

Getting another Toya ?

[olddriver]

Thanks oldcodger.

My manual says the engine is a 4E-FE, and here in the last post, member "Toyota Red" says that it is non-interference:-

I cannot find any other references on the net for my car.

I daren't leave it as things keep going wrong at the moment, £89 for a Battery the other day and around June this year this started to happen:-

With that bonnet the car is probably worthless, although in a scrappage scheme it is probably worth £2000, which is a shame because the car otherwise is in excellent condition, the only "consumables" that I haven't replaced are the rear shockers.

If Toyota still made the Corolla, I would buy it, as it is ideal for me.  Toyota is giving 5 year warranties, I don't like the square body styles so only the GT86 or maybe the Prius appeals, otherwise maybe the Civic, as Toyota and Honda seem to be the most reliable.

[oldcodger]

Well you could buy a  Corolla from Ireland , though LH drive

Whats wrong with the UK Auris partic the nicer looking 2015 on model, virtually a Corolla or even the newer larger Yaris ?

Sat in a showroom Prius the other month, feels very big and plush, its the long term price of the Battery that would concern me ?

Are you looking at new, nearly new or a few years old ?   - your old car should be worth something trade in, just do not accept their first offer and keep mentioning online prices to let them know you could go down that route; never a good deal for you till you see the salesman crying

Been meaning to try out the latest Astra, the reviews say its even beats the Golf in many areas, partic ride comfort which I need with these old bones

[Heidfirst]

17 hours ago, oldcodger said:

Sat in a showroom Prius the other month, feels very big and plush, its the long term price of the battery that would concern me ?

The Extended Hybrid Battery Warranty* is  up to 11 years & unlimited mileage ...

*I think that this requires annual Hybrid Health Checks, foc with servicing at Toyota dealers

[olddriver]

Thanks oldcodger.

I don't understand why Toyota stopped selling the Corolla in the UK, it's the worlds biggest selling car.

Don't like the square rear shape of cars like the Auris or the Yaris.

Just had a look at the Prius today in the showroom, very large boot area with the back seats down, much more room than the Corolla and nice inside.  The decreased petrol consumption may compensate for any future Battery replacement.  It's about 40 years since I drove an automatic though.

Looking to buy new to get the five year warranty and £2000 scrappage for my Corolla, getting a bit too old to do major repairs now and looking at the Prius engine bay, I wouldn't know where to start.

I'm not keen on Vauxhall because of reliability.

Yes, I worry about the comfort of my "old bones" in the GT 86 for the future, very low to get out of too.  Although I am 6 ft tall, the seat was set very low during my last test drive and I had trouble getting out because the seat was lower than the cill, but later I discovered that I could raise the seat about 2 inches to avoid that problem and my head still did not touch the roof.  The Prius is reported to be comfortable.

[oldcodger]

2 hours ago, Heidfirst said:

The Extended Hybrid Battery Warranty* is  up to 11 years & unlimited mileage ...

*I think that this requires annual Hybrid Health Checks, foc with servicing at Toyota dealers

Thanks, that sounds good.

 

55 minutes ago, olddriver said:

 

Yes, I worry about the comfort of my "old bones" in the GT 86 for the future, very low to get out of too.  Although I am 6 ft tall, the seat was set very low during my last test drive and I had trouble getting out because the seat was lower than the cill, but later I discovered that I could raise the seat about 2 inches to avoid that problem and my head still did not touch the roof.  The Prius is reported to be comfortable.

Likewise, am 6ft and similarly struggled to get out of a mates newish volvo estate, so low.

Often though about getting an auto on my next car as the knees are giving trouble, but finding one in a small car thats reliable ?   think Toyotas are more CVT than standard autos ?

Again no idea what the warranty is , assume the standard 5 year, though if like me your mileage has now dropped below 10k a year, its probably not a problem if serviced each year by Toyota.

Sound like the Prius has you hooked ?   - just make sure you get a good deal or even see if they have some pre-registered ones a lot cheaps but still the same warranty as brand new.

A Post in the Prius form might reveal some good buying tips.