HELP Gen 4 Timing belt???

[MattyBizzle87]

i have a 1997 toyota camry V6 with 87k miles on it...everytime i go to my machanich he says i gotta go the timing belt or i could have some serious problems....is he being honest has any of you camry owners had there timing belt go...or had it replaced. HELP me please befor i drop 700$ on this fix

[dc_98_cam]

Replacement cycle on V6 is 90k mi.
Also get new water pump.
... price sounds about par... unless you want to try it yourself.

[camry man68]

What was the mileage when you last replaced the timing belt? Camry's need to have their timing belt replaced between 70,000-80,000 miles, that is depending on the last time you replaced it, if you followed the toyota recommended service schedule than its time to replace it. But let me tell you that a timing belt replacement is nothing you should put off, if a timing belt breaks then your engine will pretty much destroy itself.

[Kep]

I was under the impression that all Camry engines were the "non-interferance" type. When a Camry timing belt breaks the engine just dies and you coast to a stop (if you were moving). There is no damage done to the engine but you do wind up stranded where ever you wound up (if that is in the middle of a busy road you are in a heap of trouble).

Kep

[95PimpingCamry]

^ I know you're right about the 5S-FE, but I don't know about either the 3VZ or 1MZ.

[wtftoy]

1MZ are non interferance. Hoping to reach 95k before doing the timing belt and water pump. What else should I have the mechanic look at?
BTW the shop I go to charges ~$500 for timing belt and water pump.

[dc_98_cam]

There are one or two idler pulleys to inspect ... might not be critical on the first new timing belt though.

[ASG14]

1st thing 1st, the 1MZ is actually an interfereance engine I found out not too long ago, but is so well built, the timeing belt breaking will only do damage if it breaks over 5k RPM's on full throttle.

Change the 1MZ belt around 90k miles. With it, Change:
1: Water Pump
2: Crank seals, gaskets
3: Tensioner

My personal mechanic refuses to do it unless you agree to have him replace it all.

Also, Use OEM Toyota parts for this. Too many crappy aftermarket ones.

[Mike Gerber]

Try to find a dealer in your area that has a timing belt change special for the V6, using the link below. $700 sounds very high to me. I know that dealer specials for the I4 timing belt are usually $199. The V6 may be a bit more. Add to that the cost of the water pump (if you decide to have that done at the same time) and about an additional hour of labor:

http://www.toyotacoupons.com/UI/Deal...lerSearch.aspx

Mike