5th & 6th Generation (2002-2006 & 2007-2011)Toyota Camry Discussion for years: 2002-2006 & 2007-2011
Topics of discussion range from fuel economy, safety, modifications, performance all involving America's favorite family car, the Toyota Camry.
My 2002 Camry has a timing belt, oppose to a timing chain. Timing chains basically last the life of the car or at least a very long time. My question is... why don't they put timing chains for all cars. Is it because of cost, noisier, etc? Or all the above.
Anyway, what are your thoughts.
My car has his 144,000 km and it's time for a timing belt change. What else should I change/inspect at the same time, besides the water pump.
Belts require much less power to turn than chains do. They are also extremely quite. I'm sure that noise and efficiency are a couple of factors considered by the manufacturers.
Make sure that you check the front engine seals for any leaking or seapage while the belt is being replaced. Any leaking seals can easily be replaced at that time. If they are leaking and you don't replace them it will damage the new belt.
Belts require much less power to turn than chains do. They are also extremely quite. I'm sure that noise and efficiency are a couple of factors considered by the manufacturers.
Make sure that you check the front engine seals for any leaking or seapage while the belt is being replaced. Any leaking seals can easily be replaced at that time. If they are leaking and you don't replace them it will damage the new belt.
the chain is less maintenence, so alot of companies are switching over to the timing chains these days
and the 2az has timing chain, but 1mz/3mz still have timing belts
Timing chains are more reliable and less maintenance, however they are typically noisier and require more energy (albeit very minimally). These are the reasons Toyota went with belts instead of chains starting in the early 80's. Toyota's engines with belts are almost always non-interference, meaning if the belt does break, no harm done. With the advent of much more adjustment and lift to the cams, it means that a lot of Toyota engines are now interference engines and switching to a timing chain only makes sense.
The 4-cylinder in the Camry went timing chain with the release of the 2AZ 2.4L in 2002, the 6-cylinder went timing chain with the release of the 2GR 3.5L in 2007.
Almost all Toyota engines at the end of the 1990's were timing belt (Exceptions include the 1ZZ-FE in the Corolla), at this point however, almost all are timing chain. (Exceptions include the 3MZ-FE in the Solara, and the 2UZ-FE in the Tundra/Sequoia). Pretty much every Toyota engine before 1980 was a timing chain, and most everything from around 1980 - 2000 was timing belt. Now it's back to chains again.
My 2002 Camry has a timing belt, oppose to a timing chain. Timing chains basically last the life of the car or at least a very long time. My question is... why don't they put timing chains for all cars. Is it because of cost, noisier, etc? Or all the above.
Anyway, what are your thoughts.
My car has his 144,000 km and it's time for a timing belt change. What else should I change/inspect at the same time, besides the water pump.
Thanks
Yeah besides the belt and H20 pump, I'd change the tensioner, accessory belt, cam seals, and maybe the valve cover gasket depending on the age.
The manufacturers first introduced timing belts on engines in the 1960's, Pontiac made a straight six like this back then - then they started using them in lots of engines but it never has and probably never will replace the timing chain. Having worked on plenty of both kinds of engines, i say that all things considered a timing chain is always superior to a belt. If your engine has a chain and the oil gets changed, chances are you'll never have to give it any attention whatsoever. Despite all the arguments and reasons you hear about timing belt v. timing chain etc. its my belief that the manufacturers use them for one reason only, cost. Listen to a toyota 4 cyl engine with a timing belt run and tell me it is quieter after you listen to the same engine on a different model year with a chain instead.
The reason the manufacturer would choose to use a belt is simple. Suppose you run a car company like Toyota and you sell 500,000 camrys a year (toyota sold over 2 million cars in 1st quarter 2007 alone). Now you have a choice of designing in and installing a timing chain in the engine, and the chain at wholesale (you are buying 500,000 of them remember) costs you maybe $30 or 40...or you can use a timing belt instead that costs you less than half that? What are you going to choose? $20 X 500,000 cars = lots of money = lots more profit - is the answer to the mystery as far as i am concerned.
The AutoGuide.com network consists of the largest network of enthusiast-owned enthusiast-operated automotive communities.
AutoGuide.com provides the latest car reviews, auto show coverage, new car prices, and automotive news. The AutoGuide network operates more than 100 automotive forums where our users consult peers for shopping information and advice, and share opinions as a community.
ToyotaNation.com is an independent Toyota/Lexus enthusiast website. ToyotaNation.com is not sponsored by or in any way affiliated with Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. The Toyota, Lexus and Scion names and logos are trademarks owned by Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc.
Linear Mode
