2001 Toyota Camry - Timing Belt & Water Pump

[bhimji]

Hey,

It is time to change the timing belt on my 2001 Camry and my mechanic also suggested changing the water pump.

I've been buying parts on Amazon as they are generally 50% less than retail, so will be buying the timing belt and water pump there as well.

For the timing belt I've found Goodyear and Gates (both about the same price) - is there any one which is better than another? The Gates one I looked at is TCK199 (ASIN B000C2UL3M).

For water pump, I've looked at ACDelco (252-173 / ASIN B000C9NP3S).

Both work out to about $90.00 however Gates also sells a timing belt with water pump (no housing) for $80.00 (ASIN B001NYFOMG).

Questions:

- Are these brands good, or should I look for something else?
- What else should I be looking at changing while they're in there?
- What other items should I buy to ensure that I have everything needed?
- Do I need to buy the water pump housing?

My car is at around 110,000 miles and I am overdue for the timing belt change.

Appreciate any advice the experts here can provide.

Thanks,

Mo

[71Corolla]

ACDelco's slogan should be, "don't worry, we will let you down". Just say no to ACDelco.

Check out the Aisin timing belt kits on Rockauto.com, or check out the various kits on ebay from Aircabinman.

[ajkalian]

You didn't mention if you have a 4-cyl or a 6-cyl. Here's one of the best threads on how to do it in a 4-cyl. The 6-cyl is pretty much the same, but there are some differences. Timing cover, camshaft timing, tensioner. Actually there are quite a few differences.

Anyhow this writeup by DZ63 is great.

DIY: GEN3 Timing Belt + Waterpump + Oil Seal Change - Part 1
DIY: GEN3 Timing Belt + Waterpump + Oil Seal Change - Part 2


Here's one by Marc780. Ignore the nitwit that flames Marc780 later in the thread.

Changing V6 Timing Belt Pics and the $270 Coil Connector


Some other information on building a club to hold the crankshaft pulley and the camshaft. Works for both 4 and 6 cyl.

2000 Camry LE 6cyl 1MZ-FE Timing Belt Change

.

[bhimji]

Whoops - sorry, it's a LE 2.2l 4-cyl...

Thx,

M

[bhimji]

Originally Posted by ajkalian

You didn't mention if you have a 4-cyl or a 6-cyl. Here's one of the best threads on how to do it in a 4-cyl. The 6-cyl is pretty much the same, but there are some differences. Timing cover, camshaft timing, tensioner. Actually there are quite a few differences.

Anyhow this writeup by DZ63 is great.

DIY: GEN3 Timing Belt + Waterpump + Oil Seal Change - Part 1
DIY: GEN3 Timing Belt + Waterpump + Oil Seal Change - Part 2


Here's one by Marc780. Ignore the nitwit that flames Marc780 later in the thread.

Changing V6 Timing Belt Pics and the $270 Coil Connector


Some other information on building a club to hold the crankshaft pulley and the camshaft. Works for both 4 and 6 cyl.

2000 Camry LE 6cyl 1MZ-FE Timing Belt Change

.

That is great - but if it took him 14-hours, I'm totally green when it comes to cars; it would probably sit in my garage until my wife had me tow it away! LOL. I can rip apart a computer and put it back together -- a car, well I'd wonder what to do with all the pieces.

Thx,

M

[71Corolla]

Given your mileage, you could probably do fine using this kit. Add to that a Toyota thermostat, and a "spaghetti" oil pump gasket.

Some things that may need replacing are the camshaft and crankshaft seals, and the oil pump shaft seal. That will have to be determined when you take the timing covers off. The power steering and alternator belts also might need replacing. This kit includes everything you need to do a complete job, except what may be needed related to the oil pump.

[bhimji]

Originally Posted by 71Corolla

Given your mileage, you could probably do fine using this kit. Add to that a Toyota thermostat, and a "spaghetti" oil pump gasket.

Some things that may need replacing are the camshaft and crankshaft seals, and the oil pump shaft seal. That will have to be determined when you take the timing covers off. The power steering and alternator belts also might need replacing. This kit includes everything you need to do a complete job, except what may be needed related to the oil pump.

This looks ideal - no worries on guessing at all.

Stupid question - I've never purchased off of E-Bay before, any problems? I see that purchases are protected and anyone with 99.9% and 17,000+ sales can't be all that bad...

M

[71Corolla]

I just realized you're in B.C. so shipping will be more for you but still reasonable. I'm in Calgary and have bought stuff from Aircabinman with no problems, sometimes I have to pay GST, other times not for whatever reason.

That Aisin kit has unreasonable shipping to Canada.

[JohnGD]

It's a good ideal to change out the water pump while the mechanic digs into the timing area. Ask him to use Toyota Red coolant with distilled water. I don't know if in Canada 60% coolant and 40% water mixture is recommended or not, but i think that's what some European cars use for colder climates and 50%-50% for US.

I'd pick Gates and Dayco (usually ContiTech timing belts made in Italy) over GoodYear. However, the kit mentioned from Aircabinman is a good value. And no, the pump housing need not be replaced (but the gaskets behind it should be). Another good belt-pulley-pump combo is the Aisin one on rockauto.com. These typically come with the OEM Mitsuboshi timing belt (but could be Bando too).

If the spark plugs haven't been replaced I'd use NGK Iridium-IX in place of the double-ground platinums. The valve clearances shoudl be checked. I'd be inclined to change out the valve stem seals too with a Fel-Pro premium stem seal set, but that does add about an hour while things are apart for a properly equipped shop and of course more cost.

An aftermarket list of parts I'd consider (earlier rockauto.com prices):
GATES K030295 Micro-V AT Power Steering Belt $5.14
GATES K050435 Micro-V AT Alt/AC Belt $14.10
FEL-PRO TCS45920 Crankshaft Front Seal Set $5.10 (includes the oil pump o-ring - aka ufo, fish, spaghetti, etc)
FEL-PRO TCS45641 Camshaft Front Seal $3.66
NATIONAL 221820 Polyacrylate Oil Pump Shaft Seal $2.86
GATES TCK199 (1 Belt, 1 Tensioner, 1 Idler) Timing Belt Component Kit
$52.89
STANT 48278 180° w/Jiggle Pin OE Type Thermostat $10.94
AISIN WPT010A Water pump w/o housing $30.79
FEL-PRO VS50304R1 Valve Cover Gasket Set w/Spark plug tube seals
$18.26
Subtotal $143.74
Import duty ??
Shipping to Canada ??

[71Corolla]

The problem with Rockauto is the shipping to Canada is often downright silly, a timing belt kit is usually $40 or more, heavier parts can be over $100. Plus you might have to pay import fees and the GST, makes Rockauto a no go for Canadians. A shame because they have great prices.

[bhimji]

I'm about 30 minutes from the Point Roberts, WA border so ship things there (several companies provide a US address for Canadian online purchasers - shipping is almost always FREE when I buy through Amazon and other US sites) and pick it up usually 1-2 days later (if Amazon) or within 1-2 weeks for some US merchants.

I've yet to pay duty on anything I've imported, whether I drive down to the border to pick it up or if its shipped to me - most things are covered under NAFTA; if anything I'd be charged GST (HST now) at the border.

Parts are crazy cheap in the US.

I changed 4 shocks/struts a few months ago. CT price $400.00 EACH (tax in). Amazon price (WA tax only) was $160.00 each - umm, 50% mark-up for the identical part in Canada!

Try shipping to Canada from Amazon or any other US retailer -- the charges are silly, sometimes MORE than what the products are worth!

[ToyoDoc]

Personally, I have seen too many aftermarket pumps fail to justify the cost savings.....