Hi,

How can I know if my 98 Millenia S needs a timing
belt change? I bought the car at 112K and it is now
approximately 115K.

I do not know if the previous owner(s) replaced it.
I'm sure that if I take it to a mechanic and ask the
same question, he'll say that it needs a replacement.

So I was wondering if there is any way of estimating
the condition of the timing belt myself? The car
runs without any problems.

Thanks a lot,
Oguz

 

There's no true way of "estimateing" the condition of any belt.There are service intervals for them so that you won't have unexpected failure later.Oil and coolant deteriorates belts.With 115,000 on the clock,I would at least remove the covers and visually inspect the belt,as well as being able to see if there are any coolant/oil leaks.
I was in the same boat as you a few months ago.Bought a '95 (2.5) w/143,000 on the clock-did'nt know the service history.So I started collecting parts to do the TB,as well as water pump.Is a good thing I did decide to address this when I did.
Bearings on both drive/accessory belt tensioners were dry and on the verge of lock-up.One of the idler pulleys for the TB was dry,and the TB tensioner was shot (could collapse it w/thumb).All the while,car ran great.But I don't think it would have made another 500 miles.
The old TB looked very good,but beings I had it all stripped down,on went a new one w/all new pulleys.There's alot of components/parts under those timing belt covers that you just can't determine their condition unless you remove the covers.......................