Timing Belt…?

[Barkley]

I’m aware the iQ has a couple of belts for the AirCon and alternator, but are any of these used as a traditional ‘timing belt’ - by that I mean if you don’t change it with a specified period and it breaks, the pistons fly out or split the engine block?  Apologies for any ignorance on my part - I’ve never had a sub 1L car before!

[FROSTYBALLS]

Timing chain.

[Barkley]

55 minutes ago, FROSTYBALLS said:

Timing chain.

Ah! So somewhat a more resilient option then. As the iQ2 I’m picking up has only done 25k by its 10th birthday it isn’t anything I need to look out for?

[glimp]

33 minutes ago, Barkley said:

Ah! So somewhat a more resilient option then. As the iQ2 I’m picking up has only done 25k by its 10th birthday it isn’t anything I need to look out for?

Under normal circumstances it should be fine. It's a chain.

[Cyker]

Not just a chain, a Toyota chain! Theoretically it should last the life of the engine, unlike certain other marques where they specify a change interval (Like, why even have a chain then?!)

The key is regular scheduled quality oil changes - If you keep to that, then the chain will likely last as long as they say. Skipping oil changes or using rubbish oil will shorten its life tho'.

Most of the owners here have never had to change the chain on the engine.

[WazWii]

I was thinking of posting something about this but thought against it but then saw this thread.

I think I have some issues with the crankshaft with all these belts. There is the alternator belt, timing chain, crankshaft belt? and air-con belt on this metal part in the engine bay.

The issue is the alternator belt was slightly cracked as described by official TOYOTA dealer but on second check not much was mentioned. 

Reason I ask is because I have noticed that lights (headlights and interior lights) dim slightly when opening electric windows. The opening windows and dimming of lights has been going on for a while. Changing gear also has this effect, something I have lately noticed more. 

But I also noticed quite a engine rattle upon start-up. Thankfully this goes away rather quickly so just assumed it was the oil getting warmed up. It is a loud rattle and the car for sure never did this in the first 4 and a half years of ownership.

However I have described a clutch judder at some length in other forum posts in this forum at start-up so I do wonder is this all somehow related with the belts? The car seems to be wanting to stall and runs kind of lumpy like it is trying to jump and lurch in the initial take-off phase but then after rather quickly all is good. I am not a engineer and I feel the issues described are not bad enough to start asking the dealer yet, although clutch issue/judder has been mentioned to them.  

Car in question is TOYOTA AYGO second-generation. 

[Barkley]

3 hours ago, WazWii said:

Reason I ask is because I have noticed that lights (headlights and interior lights) dim slightly when opening electric windows. The opening windows and dimming of lights has been going on for a while. Changing gear also has this effect, something I have lately noticed more

Not specific to Toyota, but I don’t think this is concerning or unusual.  Both my previous vehicles were EV’s and no alternator, a fully charged traction Battery would top up the 12v but never when driving.  I could see the light from the SatNav dim when I opened a window because of the load on the circuit.  I swapped (needlessly) to a new Battery to see the same effect. For the years I had the car it was only my experience of alternator/engine models that made me think there was a problem.

[paul9]

Get your Battery checked, it might be close to failing. If it is weak, winter coming up will likely kill it and strand you. Six years is often considered to be about the end of the line for 12 volt car batteries. Although lights dimming isn't unusual when you draw heavy currents in the system, you have said that this behaviour is getting more marked.

[Falomain]

13 hours ago, Barkley said:

Ah! So somewhat a more resilient option then. As the iQ2 I’m picking up has only done 25k by its 10th birthday it isn’t anything I need to look out for?

The timing chain must be replaced every 150,000 miles, according to the check list of my latest regular service.

[Barkley]

3 hours ago, Falomain said:

The timing chain must be replaced every 150,000 miles

Thanks for that nugget - I’ve still got 125,000 miles to go before replacement!  It’s good to know 🤓

[WazWii]

8 hours ago, paul9 said:

Get your battery checked, it might be close to failing. If it is weak, winter coming up will likely kill it and strand you. Six years is often considered to be about the end of the line for 12 volt car batteries. Although lights dimming isn't unusual when you draw heavy currents in the system, you have said that this behaviour is getting more marked.

I don't think it is the Battery because I have a Battery voltage checker that goes into the cigarette plug which is showing the correct ranges for both when car is off and on. Car starts without issue/quite fast even when stood for 9 days. 

[Falomain]

1 hour ago, WazWii said:

I don't think it is the battery because I have a battery voltage checker that goes into the cigarette plug which is showing the correct ranges for both when car is off and on. Car starts without issue/quite fast even when stood for 9 days. 

Have you even just disconnected the Battery recently? You might need to have your Aygo relearn the idle...

Edited October 28, 2023 by Falomain
mispelling

[WazWii]

On 10/28/2023 at 5:58 PM, Falomain said:

Have you even just disconnected the battery recently? You might need to have your Aygo relearn the idle...

Could it really be this? Battery does get disconnected (I presume) at the scheduled service intervals. 

[Falomain]

9 minutes ago, WazWii said:

Could it really be this? Battery does get disconnected (I presume) at the scheduled service intervals. 

I'm not sure about the Aygo, but my iQ will definitely need to be re-idled after Battery disconnection. It's quite a simple procedure... but I guess they should do it systematically if needed... or maybe they forgot to. In the iQ it's just a matter of turning ignition on/off twice before starting the engine. You then see how the idle oscillates under/over optimal adjustment and then stabilizes itself to centre. 

This is one of many related howto videos 

 

[WazWii]

On 11/6/2023 at 11:33 AM, Falomain said:

I'm not sure about the Aygo, but my iQ will definitely need to be re-idled after battery disconnection. It's quite a simple procedure... but I guess they should do it systematically if needed... or maybe they forgot to. In the iQ it's just a matter of turning ignition on/off twice before starting the engine. You then see how the idle oscillates under/over optimal adjustment and then stabilizes itself to centre. 

This is one of many related howto videos...

Thanks for that. Looks like your foot can remain on the brake pedal for the whole time of the process?

I ask because in transmission drive mode (for the Aygo E drive mode) will the car not put pressure on the parking brake and hence cause increased wear? If I could do it without applying the parking brake I would. 

In the Aygo it is not a fully automated automatic. It is actually a motorised manual (MMT). So I wonder if drive (E) actually needs to be selected or can it just be left in neutral (N) I wonder. 

[Falomain]

11 hours ago, WazWii said:

Thanks for that. Looks like your foot can remain on the brake pedal for the whole time of the process?

I ask because in transmission drive mode (for the Aygo E drive mode) will the car not put pressure on the parking brake and hence cause increased wear? If I could do it without applying the parking brake I would. 

In the Aygo it is not a fully automated automatic. It is actually a motorised manual (MMT). So I wonder if drive (E) actually needs to be selected or can it just be left in neutral (N) I wonder. 

Just leave it in neutral with the hand brake applied while carrying out the procedure.