Timing belt ..and what else?

[daler]

It's getting about that time again to re&re the timing belt in our 1995 Camry V6 3.0 litre w/AC.

This will be the third timing belt installed in this car as it now has 187k on the clock. We're going to get the local Toyota dealer to replace it (and other 2 drive belts) for us as it seems such a messy job for me to tackle at this time. I may however, try to pare my costs by replacing the spark plugs myself as they want about $200 for that relatively easy job.

For preventative maintenance and while they have the engine apart is there anything else you can suggest that should be looked at and/or replaced ..pumps, seals, etc... while the engine's front end is apart?

Thanks,
Dale

[hoiskii]

Originally Posted by daler

It's getting about that time again to re&re the timing belt in our 1995 Camry V6 3.0 litre w/AC.
I may however, try to pare my costs by replacing the spark plugs myself as they want about $200 for that relatively easy job.

For preventative maintenance and while they have the engine apart is there anything else you can suggest that should be looked at and/or replaced ..pumps, seals, etc... while the engine's front end is apart?

Huh. If sparkplugs are $200 then how much they want for the TB?
In addition to the TB I would recommend to replace your water pump and tensioner and idler pulleys, thermostat, coolant (coincidently).
Good luck.

[dc_98_cam]

transmission fluid, differential fluid, power steering fluid ..... Dexron III

[hoiskii]

Originally Posted by dc_98_cam

transmission fluid, differential fluid, power steering fluid ..... Dexron III

Well, yeh, and get a new car...

[dc_98_cam]

There is also an idler pulley spring that is recommended to be replaced .... something about a new specification to avoid timing belt slack. If this doesn't come with the
no. 1 idler pulley, you can get the spring at the dealer for so many dollars.

[daler]

The dealer wants about $400 for the TB and another $125 for the other 2 belts. Like I say, the plugs were yet another $200 incl. labour - - which I'll probably do myself.

When I took over the servicing myself it was partly because of the "extra surprises" they would tack on when it was being picked up. The service writers are a Special Breed. Many times it was in the hundreds of extra $$. So this time and at $125/hr. I just know the TB and other belts ain't gonna be confined to that requested work, so I wanna be prepared ..as well as being somewhat protected from scheduled wearout of other parts just down the road.

Dale

[hoiskii]

Originally Posted by daler

The dealer wants about $400 for the TB and another $125 for the other 2 belts. Like I say, the plugs were yet another $200 incl. labour - - which I'll probably do myself.

When I took over the servicing myself it was partly because of the "extra surprises" they would tack on when it was being picked up. The service writers are a Special Breed. Many times it was in the hundreds of extra $$. So this time and at $125/hr. I just know the TB and other belts ain't gonna be confined to that requested work, so I wanna be prepared ..as well as being somewhat protected from scheduled wearout of other parts just down the road.

Dale

You DON'T need to change all the belts at once. In fact, drivebelts will cost you about $30 and it is not much more work to change them then sparkplugs. And you can change them anytime with no need for major work that is needed for TB. What is really good practice is to change your water pump and pulleys since replacing them later will take + the same labor $$$ as for the TB.

So, what I would do, I would instruct mechanic to replace the timing belt, pulleys (with the spring) and the water pump, and DO NOT touch anything else. I was asked $550 for all this work and parts, but for V6 I'd expect some more $$$.
Then, I would change sparkplugs myself, and if I decide I can not change the drivebelts then I would find the cheapest place that would do it, a gas station maybe.

[Eye8Pussies]

changing the crank/cam seals is never a bad idea either....just as preventative maintenance

and as everybody else said.....the other two belts can be changed any time, so just leave them and do it yourself later