Pull Engine to Change Timing Belt? - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

mark460 · 11-13-2012, 09:12 AM

I have a 98 ES300, 1MZ-FE, V6 with 190K miles. Almost no maintenance has been done to this car. I'm planning to change the timing belt

, water pump

, belts, but also need to replace CV joints, plugs, and fix valve

cover leaks. With all that considering, for you experienced Toyota/Lexus mechanics, you do you think it would save me a little hassle to just pull the whole engine to change all the parts listed above all at once, or leave engine in and do each job separately? Thanks

Chris Crash · 11-13-2012, 10:09 AM

If CV joints are coming out, that's the hardest part of pulling the engine, then I would pull it out to do all that maintenance.

Then again, I'd probably pull my engine just to change the spark plugs...

It all depends on your level of mechanical expertise. If you change your own oil, maybe you should leave it in, but if you've done some serious work, then pulling it out would probably be easiest. Maybe adds 2 or 3 hours to the total job, but you get it done quicker because you don't have to try to reach in hard places and what not.

ZAchole · 11-13-2012, 10:13 AM

I'd do it all in car. To me, your list sounds like a days work. So does pulling the motor.

'93 V6 Sedan. Stock.

carsrus · 11-13-2012, 10:18 AM

NO. If you had to change the rear main, then yeah.

Timing belt is simple in car and taking the intake plenum off is not that difficult.

mark460 · 11-13-2012, 03:07 PM

I'll probably do the timing belt in the car first. At least this way I could break up the job in different parts.

Just curious, how many hours do you think it would typically take the pull the engine? I'm not too experienced with work on front wheel drive cars. I would like to just drop the whole cradle, but I don't have access to an auto lift.

***ajkalian*** · 11-13-2012, 08:07 PM

No need to pull the motor, it's not that big of a deal to do the timing belt and water pump. In fact, there's a DIY written by Marc780 (any relation?) that I used when I did mine the first time. It's for a Gen 5, but everything on the Gen 4 1MZ is exactly the same.

Changing V6 Timing Belt Pics and the $270 Coil Connector

The plugs and wires you can do without removing the plenum. Here's a DIY on how to do that.

FYI: Gen 4 Camry 1MZ-FE V6 Spark Plugs & Wires

Spark Plug Change 1MZFE Engine - The Easy Way

You will have to pull the plenum to do the rear valve covers. It's a PITA, but can be done in an afternoon. If you do it, plan on cleaning the Throttle Body, the IAC valve, the AICS (on the passenger side of the plenum) Plan on an afternoon for that. But if you decide to do the valve cover gaskets, then put off the spark plugs because it will be much easier to change them with the plenum off.

Don't forget to change the PCV valve when you have the rear valve cover off. The rubber gasket gets brittle and breaks into many pieces and is very difficult to fish out with the valve cover gasket on the engine. It's a piece of cake with it off.

Here's an epic thread on how to do everything.
Need Advice

Check out the sticky section at the top of the forum. There are lots of helpful DIY's on how to fix most everything.

Camry FAQ ------> READ FIRST -----> Comprehensive List of Gen 3/4 INFO and DIY

Good Luck.

mark460 · 11-14-2012, 07:59 AM

Thanks for the links and the info. I'll plan to leave the engine in and do the timing belt first. The job doesn't look too bad.

mark460 · 11-29-2012, 12:16 PM

I need to order my parts. Would AISIN parts be the best for quality?

***BMR*** · 11-29-2012, 01:53 PM

Aisin is the OEM supplier to Toyota, so yeah, most folks would agree they're one of the best for quality. Look up the Aisin kit p/n you need here and then price shop...

http://www.aisinaftermarket.com/English/Catalog.php

artbuc · 11-29-2012, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carsrus

NO. If you had to change the rear main, then yeah.

Timing belt is simple in car and taking the intake plenum off is not that difficult.

+1!! While you are in there, install a new coolant by-pass hose and consider doing the knock sensors and wiring harness.

Please do yourself a favor and use OEM parts - Koyo idler bearings, Mitsuboshi TB and Aisin WP.

mark460 · 12-07-2012, 10:55 AM

Is rockauto the best place to buy the parts? What about amazon?

I should replace the serpentine belts also. What brand is OEM for the belts?

Thanks
Mark

carsrus · 12-07-2012, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mark460

Is rockauto the best place to buy the parts? What about amazon?

I should replace the serpentine belts also. What brand is OEM for the belts?

Thanks
Mark

Rock Auto is one of the best places to buy parts. Once in a blue moon ebay will have a better deal but I have ordered dozens of times and Rock Auto has the best prices and quality. There is always a 5% off coupon floating around too.

I believe Mitsuboshi is OEM. They arent really a big player. Gates, Dayco, and Goodyear are all comparable.

mark460 · 01-02-2013, 08:34 AM

Well, I did my first V6 timing belt change. It wasn't bad at all. I did have to make a tool tool to hold the cam pulleys though.

How do you guys usually torque the balancer bolt?

All I did so far is put locktite on it and ran the impact on it. Looks to me the best way is to either have the special tool or make something to bolt to it to hold it.