Timimg Belt issues

[halmc]

At 107K miles, my wife's Solara ('05) runs like new. The sole malfunction on the car since new is the left front wheel bearing, which, with some counseling from this forum, I replaced pronto.

Conventional wisdom says that the life of the timing belt may be at an end, and as I understand, its failure would be catestrophic as the pistons and valves try to occupy the same space.

Two questions:

1) Is the conventional wisdom sound? (wife bought the car new, all periodic maintnence carefully observed)

2) Assuming that it is time, has anyone published a 'how to' like the one I found for the wheel bearing. (may I add that I'm respectable DIY wrench with a very well equipped shop.)

Thanks for any help on this issue.

Harold in Tallahassee, FL

[pmesfun]

Which engine does it have?

[halmc]

Originally Posted by pmesfun

Which engine does it have?

A V6 of some sort. Feels like about 3L. It's the Solara Convertible, if that helps. I'd go look, but it ain't here at the moment.

[workerant]

^ It comes in 2 flavor, timing chain and belt.

1) I think belt recommend life span is 90K. 107K is about right to change them. It could be bad if it do break, it depend on engine and etc etc but I treat it the same as engine oil. Change them within recommended time frame.

2) could be done. I've seen a video of it being done. But don't remember on which engine of which car. I don't have the tools or the know how and 90K is still a long time for me so best just pay it to be done.

[pmesfun]

Originally Posted by halmc

A V6 of some sort. Feels like about 3L. It's the Solara Convertible, if that helps. I'd go look, but it ain't here at the moment.

Its either the 1mz-fe or 3mz-fe, both are VVTI which means Interference engine. I would replace the timing belt and tensioner.

Video Of TB replacement on an 1mz-fe, same procedure as 3mz-fe.

You Tube

You Tube

You Tube

You Tube

[93celicaconv]

OK, this is a great video on how to change a 1MZ-FE timing belt.

But I have a question. I have a 2003 Camry XLE V6 with the 1MZ-FE. I've seen other 2003 V6 Camry's that have a large, light silver cover over the engine that says "VVTI". But mine has a small black cover over the engine, and it doesn't say "VVTI".

So were there 2 different 3.0 V6 engines used in Camry's in 2003? And is mine a non-interference engine?

I know I have the 4-speed automatic transaxle, and that a 5-speed automatic came out later in the 2003 model year for Camry. But I was wondering about the engine, and if mine is non-interference or not.

[pmesfun]

Yes, you have the non-interference.