timimg belt questions when should i change

[sergekot]

i have a 2001 camry and it has 81000 miles on it i was woundering when should i change my timing belt and were is the best place ,dealer or a place like firestone,goodyear or any automotive care center ,???

[sbushnak]

The belt should be replaced every 90K miles.

Sometimes the dealer will have a coupon for timing belt replacement for 200 bucks. Check the dealers around you.

[ASG14]

Also change the water pump and tensioner. Dealer is fine for timing belt, but add ont he water pump, and that is where they make thier money. Get ti dome at an independant shop, not a chain, unless you know for a fact, that perticular shop is good.

[nikita]

These engines are non-interference, per the dealer, so there is no damage if the belt fails. Ive only seen one actually fail, at 140k, so I no longer change them at 60 or 90, but "on condition", just like other belts. I remove the plastic top cover and inspect the belt annually, looking for cracks or wear. The estimates I got for belt, water pump, tensioner kit, main and cam seals were in the $900-$1200 range from independent shops.

[ASG14]

^ WOW! That is a MAJOR ripoff. I live in an expensive area, and it;s around $500-$650 to do all that, and labor is almost $100/hr here.

[sergekot]

the dealer told me it would be from 450-1200 it depends on what there going to do ,i did some thinking and im going change it at around 100k ,also nikita are you sure there will be no damage to the engine if it breaks ,man 450 - 1200 is a crap load of money for me to spend !!

[1996camry]

go independent shop saves you $$ rather go dealer...dealer normally expensive and over charge for the job..

[Mike Gerber]

Originally Posted by sbushnak

The belt should be replaced every 90K miles.

Sometimes the dealer will have a coupon for timing belt replacement for 200 bucks. Check the dealers around you.

Listen to sbushnak. He has given you some good advice.

Also, check this site for dealer coupons in your area:

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

Mike

[kegunder]

My thoughts...

If you have a well maintained car that has received fresh coolant at the proper times do this:
replace belt every 90K and water pump every 180K. Check tensioner each time and replace when needed.

If you are scared of mechanics or run crappy coolant, get belt, pump, and tensioner changed every 90K at a trusted shop or dealer. Be prepared to replace the seals if they are leaking too.

[Mike Gerber]

Originally Posted by kegunder

My thoughts...

If you have a well maintained car that has received fresh coolant at the proper times do this:
replace belt every 90K and water pump every 180K. Check tensioner each time and replace when needed.

If you are scared of mechanics or run crappy coolant, get belt, pump, and tensioner changed every 90K at a trusted shop or dealer. Be prepared to replace the seals if they are leaking too.

kegunder too has given you some excellent points. This is what I would do if the waterpump is not leaking.

Mike

[sergekot]

well the car was maintained good and i only have 82000k so i should wait and replace at 90 ?? man the dealer always finds something else to replace besides the work you need done whats up with that

[vwsteve]

if you wait til it breaks, chances are it will be at a very inconvenient time. I would just take the upper cover off and see what it look like at 90k. (I just replaced mine 50k ago and its all ready loose again and rubbing the cover off idle, so hopefully I have some room left on the tensioner. Not to rob from your question but what is the best belt to use, my Toyota tech did not recommend a toyota belt as they stretch fairly fast but this belt also has now stretched? I used a gates belt.) Back to your question some guys that work in shops also do side work for way less ask around and you will find somebody that knows of someone, lucky for me the colision shop I work at also owns a Toyota dealership so I get my work done on the side. Hope this helps. Also think of the tow bill if you wait till it breaks, and yes if it does your motor will survive.
Steve

[sergekot]

yeah i guess your right VWSTEVE ill change it at 90k hey also how can i post pics of my car on this forum ? also i noticed that after i put rims on my car the steering wheel seems to be going left and right when i come to a stop sign or a stop light ,is this normal or what i bought 17"s for the car, has any one ever felt this ??it feels like the car wants to go right then left it might be the road but not sure

[REDSOXTICKET]

2001 LE V6, 155,000 mi. with the original belt.

[sergekot]

now thats what I'm talking ,thats what Toyota's are all about reliability!!!!!