Timing belt - adjust v/s replace

[toywhiz]

This is for my 1999 Camry LE – 4 cylinder car. It has approx 92K miles on it.



From the past 6 months or so I have been noticing a louder than usual idling sound – sounds more like high RPM when I start the car in the morning. I recently took it to a mechanic and he said that I needed to get a new timing belt or have the existing one “adjusted”. Cost for replacing it was $250 and the cost for adjusting was $120. I believe the belt itself does not cost more than $20 which means I am paying $230 for an hours worth of work. So now I am thinking about doing this myself and had a couple of questions for you guys:

1. Adjust v/s replace belt – which one is better? If I were to do a replace then wouldn’t that also involve some adjustment anyways?


2. Does one need any special tools to do this job? My biggest DIY so far has been fixing (not replacing) a worn out starter on the same car. With my current level of expertise, is the timing belt project something than I can do by myself?


Thanks in advance!

[93celicaconv]

You said timing belt, right? Not the drive bet, or serpantine belt?

Replacing a timing belt is a pretty big job. For someone like me, who only does it about once every 2-3 years, it takes me an entire day. I would think it would take a shop with more experience and better equipment about a half-day to replace a timing belt. So I don't think $250 w/materials to replace, or an hour of work, describes a timing belt replacement process. If it really is a timing belt process, and if the mechanic is very good, I would go with the replacement. Adjusting? Not sure what adjusting means relative to a timing belt.

I think you are talking about a drive or serpantine belt here though. If not, something just doesn't seem right.

[carsrus]

Theres no such thing as adjusting a timing belt. Hes full of shit and trying to take your cash.

When you do the timing belt, the waterpump should be replaced (more like must) along with the idler and tensioner bearings. Oil seals should also be done, but optional the first time. In total it should be around 175ish for parts and 200-250ish for labor.

The DIY is amazing on this site and the 5sfe timing belt is the simplest and easiest belt to change. Corollas are even harder. Without prior experience with timing belts I was able to get my first one done in a day without oil seals. I got my second one done with oil seals in 4ish hours. Its an easy job.

Only "specialty" tool for the 5sfe belt job is a 19mm impact socket and impact wrench. Dont even bother trying to get the bolt loose with anything else.

[Nervous]

There is nothing to "adjust" with timing belt really, unless it sliped. But in this case you should have pretty rough idle.
Timing belt (OEM) cost $40. At this mileage it is good to replace it, along with water pump, pulleys, oil pump seal, camshaft/crankshaft seals. Well, at least you need to replace water pump: you don't want to redo all the job if your old water pump fails.
It is a lot of work, especially if you never had experience with it and don't have all tools and don't have spare car to use while you are stuck with timing belt marks, tension, removing/installing crankshaft pulley, etc.

[toywhiz]

I am pretty sure the guy said timing belt but I will take the car to a different mechanic and get a second estimate/opinion. I will post an update as soon as I have it.

Here is a quick recap of the problem - the only thing that is different in the car is the way it sounds when I start it up in the morning - kinda loud idling sound. But after I have driven it for about 10 mins or so there is not a sign of this problem for the rest of the day irrespective of how long I leave it parked - which is usually about 6 - 8 hours. That said what do you think could be the problem? And if its the timing belt and I do nothing about it whats the worse that could happen?

[JohnGD]

If you're going to be charged $120 for loosening the tensioner bolt through the timing cover port, turn the crank 2 revolutions, and tighten again, then $120 is a ripoff.

You do need some special tools like pulley holder, torque wrenches, breaker bar, jack/stands, etc to attempt this. And a mechanically inclined friend should be required if you haven't done this type of things before.

If you can follow instructions to the letter, then I don't think it's that difficult. What tools do you have? Check the timing belt in the DIY section too.


Do a "complete" timing job, using at least:
(older www.rockauto.com prices for 3/5SFE)
GATES TCK199 (kit of timing belt with two pulleys and instruction)
$84.79
GATES Part # K030295 PS belt $4.32
GATES Part # K050435 Alt/AC $12.12
FEL-PRO TCS45641 Cam seal $4.11
FEL-PRO TCS45920 Crank seal $6.04
BCA Part # 221820 Oil pump seal $2.71
AISIN (Toyota #16110-79185) water pump $58.79
FEL-PRO VS50304R valve cover gasket set $13.94

Use Toyota OEM parts if you like.

Originally Posted by toywhiz

This is for my 1999 Camry LE – 4 cylinder car. It has approx 92K miles on it.



From the past 6 months or so I have been noticing a louder than usual idling sound – sounds more like high RPM when I start the car in the morning. I recently took it to a mechanic and he said that I needed to get a new timing belt or have the existing one “adjusted”. Cost for replacing it was $250 and the cost for adjusting was $120. I believe the belt itself does not cost more than $20 which means I am paying $230 for an hours worth of work. So now I am thinking about doing this myself and had a couple of questions for you guys:

1. Adjust v/s replace belt – which one is better? If I were to do a replace then wouldn’t that also involve some adjustment anyways?


2. Does one need any special tools to do this job? My biggest DIY so far has been fixing (not replacing) a worn out starter on the same car. With my current level of expertise, is the timing belt project something than I can do by myself?


Thanks in advance!

[Schuy]

At 90k the belt should be replaced just as routine maint. The engine is a non interference, which means when or if the belt breaks the valves won't hit the pistons. So if it breaks it will just leave stranded. Its personal choice it you want to do the waterpump,pulleys, and seals. Are you willing to take the chance of having to do most of the same work again later? I would replace it or leave it alone, don't pay to have it adjusted

[esvipron]

Originally Posted by Nervous

There is nothing to "adjust" with timing belt really, unless it sliped. But in this case you should have pretty rough idle.
Timing belt (OEM) cost $40. At this mileage it is good to replace it, along with water pump, pulleys, oil pump seal, camshaft/crankshaft seals. Well, at least you need to replace water pump: you don't want to redo all the job if your old water pump fails.
It is a lot of work, especially if you never had experience with it and don't have all tools and don't have spare car to use while you are stuck with timing belt marks, tension, removing/installing crankshaft pulley, etc.

It is good to replace the other belts around as well and you have no more worries in 70K plus more miles regarding timing belt, water pump, alternator belts, etc.