3rd & 4th Generation (1992–1996 & 1997–2001)Toyota Camry Discussion for years: 1992-1996 & 1997-2001
Topics of discussion range from fuel economy, safety, modifications, performance all involving America's favorite family car, the Toyota Camry.
I have a 4 cylinder, 1998 Toyota Camry. My AC belt was making a squealing noise, so I took my car to the dealership today and the told me that my harmonic balancer was falling apart. They said the drivetrain belts and the harmonic balancer need to be replaced. They quoted me $700 to do the job, which I don't have. I want to buy the parts and have my brother's mechanic do the job.
What do I need to buy? Does the harmonic balancer just drive one belt? I know I will need an AC belt and a harmonic balancer. But do I need to buy any other belts? I'm clueless, so please help me out.
Buy one harmonic balancer, one alternator belt, one A/C belt. Nice price from Toyota, how much do they want for just the pulley?
Thanks for the quick reply, 71Corolla! Now I have one more question. I ordered the parts, but they probably won't come until Thursday. If the harmonic balancer were to fall apart while driving, what would happen? Would I just lose my A/C, headlights, cooling fans, radio, etc? Or would this cause major problems?
Thanks for the quick reply, 71Corolla! Now I have one more question. I ordered the parts, but they probably won't come until Thursday. If the harmonic balancer were to fall apart while driving, what would happen? Would I just lose my A/C, headlights, cooling fans, radio, etc? Or would this cause major problems?
Your car would get a pretty nice HP increase
But it's not going to just fall off or something.
You would lose power steering, AC and your alternator. Eventually your radio would start freaking out, turning on and off. And lights would dim. Then your battery would die.
I personally made a 30 minute in city trip without an alternator. So you should be fine.
If you don't have an alternator, which is the biggest thing you'd miss if the belt running it stopped, you'd have to provide all the electrical power your engine required from the battery. If you have a very strong battery, this can be quite a while, but *usually* its not much more than a half hour or so before your battery is dead and your engine won't run any more because you have nothing to provide spark.
And, of course, you can't charge it up cause the alternator isn't working, you'd have to use a charger...
So, unless you've got some kind of roadside assistance that provides you with a tow to your brothers mechanics garage, I'd likely keep trips to a bare minimum, you're running on borrowed time...
I have a 4 cylinder, 1998 Toyota Camry. My AC belt was making a squealing noise, so I took my car to the dealership today and the told me that my harmonic balancer was falling apart. They said the drivetrain belts and the harmonic balancer need to be replaced. They quoted me $700 to do the job, which I don't have. I want to buy the parts and have my brother's mechanic do the job.
What do I need to buy? Does the harmonic balancer just drive one belt? I know I will need an AC belt and a harmonic balancer. But do I need to buy any other belts? I'm clueless, so please help me out.
I think I'd get a second opinion. The harmonic balancer is inside the oil pan, runs off a gear on the crankshaft and if it were falling apart, you'd have metal and other debris in your oil, and certainly more serious problems.
The alternator and A/C belt stretches, hardens and cracks with age. Why don't you buy another belt and replace it yourself for a few $$. Only need a 12mm and 14mm socket and ratchet, or 12mm and 14mm wrenches, for tools.
The crankshaft pulley can separate and might be what you are calling a harmonic balancer. It drives two belts (the power steering pump belt, and the alternator and a/c belt), and you can purchase another pulley for a few $$ at an auto wrecker. You don't need to buy a new pulley - a used one will do fine. $700 to remove and replace this, plus a new belt seems very high.
The A/C belt will tend to squeak more under load. Turn off the A/C , does the squeaking stop?
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85 LE 2SE 500K km - died trying to push a semi off the road
95 LE 5SFE 530K km, 530K km changed engine, 549K km second engine died, now 554K Km running with a 98 5SFE block and head
01 XLE V6 310K km
The think he meant the harmonic balancer pully thing, not the engine balancer behind the pan.
Yeah that's definitely what I'm referring to.
I can't just change the belts without changing a harmonic balancer that's falling apart, that would be useless.
Now a power steering belt was mentioned also. Would I need one of those? I just bought an alternator belt and an AC belt.
I also want to put it out there that the harmonic balancer hasn't fallen apart, yet. I still have A/C and full power. I just need to make the 30 minute drive back home from work today without it falling apart and I will get it fixed tomorrow. Everyone cross their fingers for me!
iif you dont mind, take some photos of the old harmoic balancer. i know in theory they can come apart because of the rubber drying out, ive just never seen it happen before. im sure you will be fine until you get it replaced tomorrow.
iif you dont mind, take some photos of the old harmoic balancer. i know in theory they can come apart because of the rubber drying out, ive just never seen it happen before. im sure you will be fine until you get it replaced tomorrow.
Hey, I'll try. This is my late mother's car. She died in 2006, so the car was just sitting there for 4 years. I got it some things fixed on it last month, and then the A/C belt started squeaking. The battery is only a month old.
As requested, here are pics of the harmonic balancer. The guy who repaired my car said the balancer didn't look that bad at all. It had a little wear and tear, but nothing that seemed too urgent. I guess the stealership lied to me (surprise, surprise)
As requested, here are pics of the harmonic balancer. The guy who repaired my car said the balancer didn't look that bad at all. It had a little wear and tear, but nothing that seemed too urgent. I guess the stealership lied to me (surprise, surprise)
They probably did lie, thinking that since you're there getting it checked out, you might just very well have them service it too.
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2000 Toyota Camry LE (Japan made) i4 5S-FE 367,000+ miles.
do the two parts seem like they arent held together well? if they are still pretty solid, pop that part up on ebay. maybe someone else can use it and you can recoup some of the money spent for a new one. maybe someone here would want to buy it, drill and tap two holes for ease of future removal.
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