Toyota Repair: timing belt on 99 RAV4, timing belt replacement, timing belts

Question
Hi,
I have a 99 RAV4 4dr 4WD. I was recently at my local mechanic and he told me that I should have changed my timing belt and water pump at 100,000km. I am over this km and was warned about driving my car without making this expensive change soon. I am wondering if there is a necessity to change it now or if my car will let me know when I need to change it? Will my car make a noise or act in a different way if my belt is close to its end? I was also warned how expensive it would be if it broke...so now im very worried. Could you please advise me on this?
Much appreciated!


Answer
Normally a worn timing belt will make a noise, kind of like a knocking sound if it get's real badly worn,if your engine is not making any strange noises you can wait a few thousand miles before the timing belt replacement, I have seen timing belts go well over 90,000 miles without a problem.
If the belt should brake it will not damage the rest of the engine in any way, the only thing that happens is that the engine will stop running. So there is not any additional cost other than a tow bill.