I'm the guy who had trouble changing the timing belt ~ Update!

[defensa24]

I did it. I finally did it! I have gone from a newbie level 1 to a newbie level 2.5

Here's what I've done to my 1994 Toyota Camry:

• Changed the radiator.
• Changed the thermostat.
• Changed the water pump.
• Changed the timing belt.
• Changed the oil.

I had never messed with a car before. It was always my dad doing the maintenance or repairs. I know some of you guys reading this are like 'big deal' but if I could learn to change the timing belt (with the help from the forum of course) hell, anyone out there can by following the tutorials on here!

So my question is... Do I invest more money into my car? Or should I leave it like it is? It's already sanded down ready for paint, I need new door handles (interior and exterior) I need a new bumper, new windshield and my front door panels are messed up. Also, the driver's side window works, but not the other three. I paid $900 for the car and it has 230,213 miles. I want it to look like some of the cars on here, but idk if that's a good idea...

[WaxonWaxStillOn]

Hmmm...were you the one with the stripped bolts? If so, how did you resolve that?

Congrats on getting thru it...no doubt that's a major accomplishment and significant newbie confidence booster.

As for your car...that depends on how the mechanics are, and if you have much to invest in a different option. I'm in the same spot...have a solid engine/trans, but the paint if very faded. I've picked up a number of components to make a minor restoration to the interior. I also just finished steam cleaning all 'fabric' on the inside, and it looks amazing compared to how worn and dirty it looked before. But I would love a nice shiney gen4 to invest my 'restoration' dollars into.

At this point tho, I can't afford to 'upgrade' to a better looking one, because if there is something costly that needs repair in the 'new' one, I may not be able to fix it 'the right way.' Mine right now runs great, and I hate to take that for granted.

So risk/reward for me right now says 'stay put'. Within the next year, I will either sell it for another, or repaint it the same color myself and continue restoring it with the best pick n pull parts I can find.

[carsrus]

#1 go to a junkyard and pickup all the parts you need for 50$
#2 spend the 120 for the windshield since you can probally get cited for it.
#3 after you have all your exterior parts on spray bomb the car flat black.

#4 drive it till it dies.

Dont spend to much time of money into a car with 230k miles. Its pointless. On important mechanical stuff dont skimp out, but on body and interior spend the minimal amount of money you can.

If you spend 1500 total on this car and get a year out of it you are way on top.

[toovira]

At this point, in my opinion, it's function over form. As for pain, I'd do preservation rather than re-do. Do more critical things in critical components, such as flush the tranny fluid and change diff oil. I'm at 340k....after tranny flush, timing belt, water pump, EGR....now the brake lines are cracked. So yes...just a matter of time until all of your rubber and plastic starts to crack. Function over form.

[noslen]

where can I get a free download of instructoions on replacing the timing belt on my 2000 Camry 4 cylinder with 114,000 miles.
Thanks, Noslen

[csaxon]

Timing Belt Change

Timing Belt Change (#2)

Timing Belt + Water Pump + Oil Seal Change - 5S-FE:
Part 1 - http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/sh...d.php?t=264425
Part 2 - http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/sh...d.php?t=264429