2003 Camry V6 - Timing Belt

[93celicaconv]

Got a used 2003 Camry XLE V6 a couple weeks ago. Very good shape, looks to have been well maintained (things like transmission fluid still looked and smelled good, no leaks of any kind, everthing that was there when the car was new is still there and working, etc.).

It has 119,000 miles on it. I know the spark plug replacement timing is 120,000 miles, so I plan to replace the spark plugs soon.

The timing belt replacement timing is 90,000 miles. There is no sticker on the engine anywhere to indicate the timing belt was replaced previously. It may have been my a local mechanic, and they don't usually put stickers to prove the timing belt was replaced. Toyota service shops usually do put stickers on the engine.

Is there a way for me to relatively easily inspect the timing belt for condition, to make a determination if I should replace it, without tearing a lot of stuff apart to do it?

I just don't want to put in a new timing belt, water pump, all new oil seals, tensioners, etc., if they all wer just replaced 30k miles ago.

I have a repair manual set for this car, but it doesn't talk about a way to "inspect" a timing belt, except to go through the entire removal process, and take it off, to look at it. I'm hoping there is a much simpler way to inspect it than to go through the long removal process.

Anyone out there that can help me with this question?

[arabianobsession]

You can't "inspect" the timing belt without tearing everything apart. Is there any way you could track down the shop that may or may not have done the belt? Contact the previous owner and see if they know?

[93celicaconv]

The previous owner lives nearby, so I did call area Toyota service shops to see if they had records, but none did.

I bought the car from a dealer, and a dealer cannot/will not disclose the identity of any previous owners. I can understand the implications if they do, so I'm OK with that. But no, I don't know who the previous owner was and how to contact them.

I guess, from what I'm got from your reply, is my only option is to buy all the parts I would need to do a full front engine service, and have them ready as I take everything apart. If I see signs on a previous replacement, or if the belt at least looks to be in great shape, and there is no sign of a water pump seal leak or no oil leaks from any other seals, I suppose I could just put everything back together again. Was just hoping there was a simpler way, so I wouldn't spend potentially a whole day just to find out everything still looks good.

[arabianobsession]

Originally Posted by 93celicaconv

The previous owner lives nearby, so I did call area Toyota service shops to see if they had records, but none did.

I bought the car from a dealer, and a dealer cannot/will not disclose the identity of any previous owners. I can understand the implications if they do, so I'm OK with that. But no, I don't know who the previous owner was and how to contact them.

I guess, from what I'm got from your reply, is my only option is to buy all the parts I would need to do a full front engine service, and have them ready as I take everything apart. If I see signs on a previous replacement, or if the belt at least looks to be in great shape, and there is no sign of a water pump seal leak or no oil leaks from any other seals, I suppose I could just put everything back together again. Was just hoping there was a simpler way, so I wouldn't spend potentially a whole day just to find out everything still looks good.

I too live in Wisconsin and work for a dealer. They are required to give you information on the previous owner if you ask. They're pulling the wool over your eyes.

And yes, you would have to pull everything apart and if it looks okay put it back together. Pain in the ass but what else can you do?

[wiswind]

If it was done at a TOYOTA dealership, you will be able to find it at the TOYOTA website.
You use your VIN to register your vehicle and all service done at any Toyota dealership will be listed.
Also, any open Recalls will be listed.
You will also have access to the owner's manual.
All this is for FREE.

I will add that it is pretty hard to tell much of anything by looking at the belt.

[93celicaconv]

Originally Posted by arabianobsession

I too live in Wisconsin and work for a dealer. They are required to give you information on the previous owner if you ask. They're pulling the wool over your eyes.

And yes, you would have to pull everything apart and if it looks okay put it back together. Pain in the ass but what else can you do?

Arabianobsession, thank you for your response. If this is the case, I will make another attempt to get the previous owners name and phone number to get my question answered. It would be great if I could get it, as it will give me peace of mind knowing the work was previously done, or if it wasn't, that all the parts I need to get will be put to use, since I am almost already 30k overdue on this work.

[arabianobsession]

Keep us posted on how it goes! And like wiswind said, if it was done at a dealership (somewhere) it will be listed on the Toyota website.

[arabianobsession]

http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/busines...-used.pdf#dest

This is taken from the Motor Vehicle Salesperson's Manual from the Wisconsin DMV website. Scroll down where it says "previous owner"

[heartdisease]

Originally Posted by arabianobsession

http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/busines...-used.pdf#dest

This is taken from the Motor Vehicle Salesperson's Manual from the Wisconsin DMV website. Scroll down where it says "previous owner"

It says prospective owner. Would it still apply if the transaction is completed?

[arabianobsession]

Yes. You can't "withdraw" on that offer, so to speak. I've actually done it a few times myself, gone back to the dealer after purchasing the car to get the previous owner's information. Usually that's happened to clarify a thing or two that the dealer didn't know.

[AlmightyCamry777]

When i buy a used car i always assume the previous owner did the bare minimum maintenance. Because for most people i've met that's the case. It's my observation that many people do not maintain their cars well, especially the ladies.

I have an ex girlfriend with a 2001 V6 toyota minivan (Sienna?) so badly sludged up at 150,000 the mechanic had to tear off the pan and clean the sludge out of the oil pump screen etc. because there was smoke and no oil pressure. It probably looked like this engine:

http://www.tegger.com/hondafaq/sludg...ng_sludge.html

My ex wasn't exactly an oil change fanatic i think.

So If i had your car i'd assume the timing belt has not been touched. (otherwise you'd see the sticker on the belt cover, they even include on for you when you buy a belt from the auto parts to put on yourself). I don't believe you can tell a timing belts condition by looking, unless it has obvious signs such as broken off teeth. When i changed my timing belt there were no broken teeth or cracks and no other indication of how many miles it had on it (85,000).

It's not a particularly easy chore but neither is it inordinately difficult, to do yourself, be sure and set aside lots of time, all the parts and tools ahead of time and don't let yourself be rushed!

At your mileage i would change the water pump too, if you can afford it because if it starts leaking in 30,000 miles you will just have to do it all over again. If you cant afford to change the water pump, or the pulleys now, then just change the belt because they are cheap, $30-40 and you may well get another 50,000 out of this engine until those parts go out.

An alternative course of action is remove the top cover enough so you can get a good look at the belt, if it looks ok, leave it alone and simply wait for the water pump to start leaking or making noise. If that happens then just replace everything then. Do i have to mention my ex girlfriends 2001 V6 again, yeah i do, because she has 165,000 poorly maintained miles on that van and i know she's never had the timing belt changed. And she still drives around blissfully unaware that one day that belt might snap and strand her. (i wasnt going to replace the damn belt, its a lot of work and expense, and she is my ex after all.) So you can choose to put it off for several thousand miles if you want to go with the reactive approach also.

Here is the procedure i have used,l twice, the first time it took me 4 hours the second time on someones solara, where she just wanted me to change the belt only, took me 2 and a half hours. It was much easier the second time.
Changing V6 Timing Belt Pics and the $270 Coil Connector

[arabianobsession]

V6 timing belts are more of a pain in the ass than a 4 cylinder. It takes a lot of time and isn't easy work. But it can be done if you're fairly competent.

[93celicaconv]

Well, the dealership said they would provide me the name and contact info. of the previous owner, might just take a few days. So if I can get in contact with the previous owner, at least I will know for sure where things stand.

Let's say there was no previous timing belt replacement. If I'm going to put the effort into taking the front of the engine apart, I want to do all that I can, to make sure I don't have to worry about doing it again in a few years.

So, besides a timing belt, water pump, tensioners, cam seals, crank seal, what else is recommended to replace? Does the oil pump have separate seals that I should consider replacing? And what special tools will I need?

I know I should invest in a special tool to hold hold the crank pulley (I made up something temporary for my Celicas, and have used that several times, but I really should have the right tool here). I think I have the pullers I need to remove the crank pulley once the bolt is out. Anything special to remove the cam pulleys, the crank timing belt pulley, removal of the old oil seals, installation of the new oil seals, etc.?

[workerant]

Originally Posted by arabianobsession

Pain in the ass but what else can you do?

buy all the parts and do the change while you have everything open so this "pain in the ass" will extend another 90K miles. Oh, and put a sticker.

[wiswind]

Well, not directly related, but I would change the PCV valve using a genuine TOYOTA part.
It is an easy part to forget, and WILL cause the sludge issue mentioned above if it should become clogged.

Before you tackle this job on your own.
Get a GOOD repair manual......I would recommend a factory manual or a alldatadiy subscription which will give you the factory manual online.
READ it carefully and decide if it is a job you want to tackle in your garage.
If not, then have your local trusted TOYOTA dealership do it.