96 Corolla timing belt

[Jesse Halpern]

I have bought a 96 Corolla in very good condition but with an uncertain service history. It shows 145 k on the odometer so should have had a new timing belt app 45k ago I think. The current belt is clean and shows no obvious deterioration. I cannot see a part number or manufacturer but can see MADE IN ITALY. Can anyone tell me if this belt fitted to a Seca 1.8 model is likely to be an original or a replacement?

[trentmeyer23]

Probably a replacement.

[campbeam]

I was more thinking definitely a replacement. Big question is whether it needs to be replaced again.

With a non-interference type engine, if the belt breaks then the piston and valves are not going to collide. With an interference type engine, you are running a known risk of engine damage [expensive repair bill] when the belt fails.

A minimal risk approach would be to replace both the timing belt and the water pump in the very short term. A riskier approach would be to wait for when the water pump needs to be replaced then replace both.

[Hiro]

3 hours ago, campbeam said:

I was more thinking definitely a replacement. Big question is whether it needs to be replaced again.

With a non-interference type engine, if the belt breaks then the piston and valves are not going to collide. With an interference type engine, you are running a known risk of engine damage [expensive repair bill] when the belt fails.

A minimal risk approach would be to replace both the timing belt and the water pump in the very short term. A riskier approach would be to wait for when the water pump needs to be replaced then replace both.

7AFE is a non-interference engine, timing belt replacement interval is 100k.  Factory belt is most likely to be an Aisin or Mitsuboshi (possibly Gates), Made In Italy definitely screams replacement.