looking for timing belt info - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

datchew · 02-08-2008, 10:20 PM

2003 4-cyl camry. Manual tranny.
New to this site. Looking for some direction.

First time working on a toyota. Most of my experience is with older bmw's (e30, e28), old air-cooled vw's, and airhead motorcycles.

Anyway, I assume that somewhere, like with every other car enthusiast forum, there is a decent step-by-step guide for the timing belt or at least some tips on the most important things to note.

I'm almost 90k miles and it's time.

Planning to replace the standard items while i'm in there: belt, h2o pump, thermostat, etc, etc.

Thanks much. So far, this car is well laid out and appears to be easy to work on, and the best part... it doesn't need much work.

white3ch0c0late · 02-08-2008, 10:28 PM

You don't have a timing belt. You have a timing chain. Doesn't need to be replaced.

touringcamry · 02-09-2008, 12:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by white3ch0c0late

You don't have a timing belt. You have a timing chain. Doesn't need to be replaced.

x2

The only belt that you might need to replace is the serpentine belt.

jermyjerm · 02-09-2008, 01:34 AM

search the forum.its been covered.

b0r1cha · 02-09-2008, 03:21 AM

so do the 6th gen have a timing belt to so it doesnt need to be changed?

touringcamry · 02-09-2008, 04:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by b0r1cha

so do the 6th gen have a timing belt to so it doesnt need to be changed?

Can you rephrase this when you're sober?

b0r1cha · 02-09-2008, 04:20 AM

lol i mean so do the 6th gen have a timing CHAIN instead of a belt so it doesnt need to be changed.

datchew · 02-09-2008, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jermyjerm

search the forum.its been covered.

Hmm, yes that's VERY helpful. I did a search already and didn't find much. That's why I'm asking.

I hope you guys are right that it has a chain, but the owners manual says it has a belt. How can I find out for sure without opening it up? Normally I'd take the word of the fellas that seem to know their stuff, but as I'm new here, I don't know who they are.

gdanaher · 02-09-2008, 08:59 AM

If you look around here on elsewhere on the net you will find a pdf of the service manual so you can check there. Or you could go to the dealer and ask service. They might know. Older engines had a belt. your's has a chain.

white3ch0c0late · 02-09-2008, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by datchew

Hmm, yes that's VERY helpful. I did a search already and didn't find much. That's why I'm asking.

I hope you guys are right that it has a chain, but the owners manual says it has a belt. How can I find out for sure without opening it up? Normally I'd take the word of the fellas that seem to know their stuff, but as I'm new here, I don't know who they are.

V6 has a belt. 4cyl has a chain. Manual says "V6 Only" in all areas pertaining to the timing belt.

TRD VVTi · 02-09-2008, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by white3ch0c0late

V6 has a belt. 4cyl has a chain. Manual says "V6 Only" in all areas pertaining to the timing belt.

X2

A search DOES yield the above answers as well.

JSM1284 · 02-09-2008, 10:02 AM

But keep in mind Gen6 V6 has a chain.

datchew · 02-09-2008, 12:38 PM

Thanks all. Actually, after checking again, the owners manual says nothing about the issue.

But if you cross reference the engine type with the maintenance plan packet (which i just discovered), it shows that 1mz-fe (6-cyl) is the one with the belt.
So thanks much. Guess just fluids and plugs.

touringcamry · 02-09-2008, 12:47 PM

I'm pretty sure your plugs are good until 120 000 miles.
http://www.toyota.com/owners click maintenance