2SZ-FE - belt change

[komichal]

Hi All,
I do not want to spoil other topic with related question so let me ask in a separate one.

Do I need to replace the drive belt?
If I can see the service intervals well, the belt needs "inspection" after 60,000 miles/72 Months and then "inspection" every 15,000 miles/18 Months. So no replacement mentioned anywhere.

Mine has 130,000 miles and 15 years of service and still no problem (no squeaking, never had to adjust the tension or anything).

Shall I ask the shop to change it for me (as preventive maintenance) or is it simple enough to be changed in the driveway by myself? Or are Toyota belts magical enough so that I do not need to worry about changing it yet?

Thanks in advance for any comment.

[alanwagen]

You are on borrowed time. Your belt should be replaced and get a Toyota belt. They don't squeal like the others.

[sh0rtlife]

id be willing to bet MONEY on if you inspected it(on the groove side) youll find ALOT of cracking..NO belt lasts that long*well none that have been made since the 60/70s

[komichal]

Well believe it or not, there are no cracks there, I was inspecting the groove part thoroughly to find anything that would justify the change, but found nothing.
Anyway, I do agree that it is really unnatural (and maybe I am really overlooking something) so I will have the belt changed... considering that the Toyota belt is recommended and there are many people struggling with the proper tension of the belt, I will probably leave it up to the authorized Toyota service center to handle that... even though it seems like a good DIY candidate.

[sh0rtlife]

ive never seen a belt that could be truely inspected "on engine" as you need to "fold back" against the slick side to expose the groove sides cracking...in theory you might be able to see the cracks where it wraps over the waterpump

[komichal]

Guys I owe you the latest status. Belt has been replaced for "Contitech" brand as it was easily available and in general is of high quality.

Not good for me. Whenever the temperature dropped below zero Celsius the belt squealed like mad.
I have made recording that I shared with the shop: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWj2ESfp6io

The shop played around with tension and everything but it did not help at all. So they changed the brand of the belt, it got better but in severe freezing it was still squealing.

Now it is already warmer weather so no squeals. I will wait for the upcoming winter, hoping that the new belt will sit well and stop squealing, otherwise I will go for original Toyota belt.
I know, you told me before, I did not listen.... shame on me.

[sh0rtlife]

most modern belts are made for a "spring tension" setup and no longer are made with any real "stretch" in them..which is what you need for a "fixed" tension setup like out yaris....i run into the same problem, so i re-adjust for winter and summer