Timing belt replacement 1997 Camry

[tommyjohn]

Can anyone tell me what the timing belt replacement schedule is for my 1997 Toyota Camry it was replaced at 60.000 miles that was before i bought the car the current mileage on the car is 137.146. Is there a specific schedule for this replacement.

[1996camry]

mine 96 toyota camry has timebelt interval 60,000...i think 97 up has interval 90,000...u can call dealer just ask a ?...they tell u.....but if i remember right..toyota 97 has 90k timebelt interval...with year 97 up..the timebelt interval has 90k...

year 96 and below..has interval 60k for timebelt interval
my car just done a timebelt changed on my toyota 96 camry 4 cylinder....i went over 2000 (recommended 60k to changed) and when i changed new timebelt...the old timebelt is still in good condition...if u worry your belt break...this can give u a comfort....if u go over 2k-5k without a problem...but just plan to change belt soon....

[Mike Gerber]

60,000 miles on the generation 3 (1992-1996) and 90,000 miles on the generation 4 (1997-2001) is correct. Your 97 should be due for it's next timing belt change at 150,000 miles.

Mike

[tommyjohn]

Thanks guys i called two different Toyota dealers and they want me to bring my car in for inspection instead of just telling me the interval for changing the belt.

[lenjack]

90,000 is right.

[Mike Gerber]

Originally Posted by tommyjohn

Thanks guys i called two different Toyota dealers and they want me to bring my car in for inspection instead of just telling me the interval for changing the belt.

Of course they do; they can't sell you anything on the phone. They also can't charge you an inspection fee on the phone. Remember, their job is to make money for the dealership and for themselves.

Mike

[JMSinMD]

I've heard the same 60k for 92-96 and 90k for 97-01 but in reality they are all the same 2.2 I4 5S-FE using the same part numbers for the timing belt. I'd say 90k for all the years. I've seen some (less than 5) break before 90k, and I've seen them with 110k and not break. 90k is preventative.

[Uncle-Enrico]

I have a 97 Camry with just 50,000 miles on the original timing belt.

Should I be concerned with the age of this belt? Eleven years?

Also, is this four cylinder engine the type that would get damaged if the belt broke?

[nikita]

According to the dealer, and a few independents, Toyota engines are non-interference, meaning if the belt fails, there is no damage. I changed the belt on a Corolla that had stopped running due to a worn out belt and there was no collateral damage.

[llcoolpass]

not all toyota engines are non-interference.

some are, some aren't. the newer v6 for instance with the sophisticated variable valve timing is interference.

the 3vz-fe is a non-interference tpye of engine, though

[Mike Gerber]

Here's a site that will tell you which engines are interference type and which are non-interference. It has most car makes and models listed.

http://www.gates.com/downloads/downl...older=brochure

Mike

[llcoolpass]

that link doesnt work proper

[El Tano]

Originally Posted by llcoolpass

that link doesnt work proper

LY.....

[touringcamry]

Originally Posted by nikita

According to the dealer, and a few independents, Toyota engines are non-interference, meaning if the belt fails, there is no damage. I changed the belt on a Corolla that had stopped running due to a worn out belt and there was no collateral damage.

Originally Posted by llcoolpass

not all toyota engines are non-interference.

some are, some aren't. the newer v6 for instance with the sophisticated variable valve timing is interference.

the 3vz-fe is a non-interference tpye of engine, though

Most Toyota engines with timing belts are non-interference. Those with chains are interference engines. The 3MZ-FE (3.3L V6) is a recent example of an interference engine with a belt. I'm sure there are a few more though.

[camryvibe]

Originally Posted by tommyjohn

Can anyone tell me what the timing belt replacement schedule is for my 1997 Toyota Camry it was replaced at 60.000 miles that was before i bought the car the current mileage on the car is 137.146. Is there a specific schedule for this replacement.

I have a '97 Camry I-4 and the maintenance manual that came with the car does *not* indicate that replacement of the timing belt is a scheduled maintenance item *except* for vehicles used in commercial applications involving extensive idling time. In that case the manual specifies every 60,000 miles. However, the previously mentioned suggestion of 90,000 miles seems like a reasonable interval to be fairly safe. The belt on ours lasted for 144,500 miles and I can confirm that it is a non-interference engine.

So I'd expect that you can go to at least 150 kmiles before doing the replacement. Note that the waterpump is located in the same area so it's almost no additional labor to replace it at the same time. And the belt tensioner frequently starts wearing out and making some noise around the time of the second belt change so that could also be changed. We had some oil leakage from the crank and oil pump seals so those were replaced at the same time as the belt.