Timing belt interval for a V6?

[hans747]

Thinking about buying a 2002 V6. It's got 55k miles on the odo. How soon will I be staing a new timing belt in the face?

[95WhiteCamry]

my coupe has 132k miles on the original belt.


it's good practice to change out the timing belt every 70k or so (correct me if i'm wrong) on the v6 model. It gets really pricey because it's one of those repairs during which it is best to change out the water pump and other misc items down there. For best preventitive measures, it might be ebst to just change the belt once you get the car.

[hans747]

Thanks! the car has been owned by my dad since new, so I know it has ben very meticulously maintained by the dealer, otherwise I would be getting all the fluids changed from day one.

[s_ajanthan]

its kinda hit or miss with changing misc parts though... but generally 120k for a timing belt is reasonable i think atleast... it actually depends on the physical condition of the belt though so it might not be a bad idea to take a look at the actual belt and see what condition its in. but 55K is practically new IMHO

[hans747]

is the v6 an interference engine? Will the pistons smack the valves if the timing belt breaks?

[TRD VVTi]

90,000 miles/6 years is the change interval. FACT.

It isn't an interference engine. That's also a fact.

[geoff5093]

When I got my '94 Camry V6, it had 124K miles but I had no idea if the timing belt had been changed, and I finally realized at around 135K miles when my car broke down on the highway.

I was lucky since it was in the middle of the city, but if it happened out in the country I would be really stuck, unless I wanted to fork out for a tow truck.

[92ES5sp]

Originally Posted by TRD VVTi

90,000 miles/6 years is the change interval. FACT.

It isn't an interference engine. That's also a fact.

Exactly!! Read the maintence guide. It tells you everything you need to know.

[hans747]

Thanks for the info. I was wondering if I'm oing to buy the car and then get hit with a timing belt at 60k.