Timing Belt

[pmronline]

Hello,
I bought a 1998 Toyota Camry LE 4 cyl from a dealer two months ago(and miles was 103K). The current miles on the vehicle is 105K. The dealer does not know whether the person who sold the car had changed the timing belt. I am a little worried about the timing belt. Is there a way we can know by looking at the timing belt or based on the ride performance, whether it is good or bad. Or it is suggested to change it to be on the safer side. Do you know how much it will cost for parts and labor if I do it at a Toyota dealership. Or is it better to do this at Firestone or Jensen like places rather than dealership.

Recently I had to rebuilt the transmission and spent around $1900 I am worried about another timing belt problem and costly repairs. Please help.

R

[darkwish]

Wow, so many questions, and not a single question mark.

I'd say go ahead and change the timing belt + water pump. There is no harm if the timing belt breaks since it's a non-interference engine. However, it might be inconvenient being stranded somewhere.

I don't recall how much it is, since I do my own. Perhaps another user here will know.

[newbie212]

Dealer here in ohio charges $280 with water pump... Not bad with it being a dealer and the labor involved...

Just curious..What was wrong with the transmission? Mine is acting funny, I didnt know if you had the same symptoms as me.. Thanks

[Nad1370]

I wouldn't pay more than $200 for just the T-belt.

Dealerships around my area are charging $199/4cyl. parts and labor.

Waterpump and seals are extra. They charge 1 hour in labor for each job + parts.

[AutoBox]

When timing belts are replaced, a maintenance sticker is usually adhered to the timing belt cover stating mileage of the vehicle and date of replacement. Did you check if you have one on yours? T. belt replacement service can be somewhat expensive usually about 200-250$ at a Toyota dealer..that price due to about 2-3 hours of labour. Most people also recommend changing the water pump w/ the belt like you said.

I personally would only have my timing belt changed at a Toyota dealership or a reputable Toyota-specialist shop.

[touringcamry]

Originally Posted by AutoBox

I personally would only have my timing belt changed at a Toyota dealership or a reputable Toyota-specialist shop.

My manager had the t-belt on his Integra LS changed out at some shop here. The engine acted really weird afterwards - when idleing, the engine would rev like he's trying to race someone at a stop light. He went to 3 other shops out here tyring to get the problem fixed and spent about $1000 but never resolved it.

Took it to the dealer and they fixed it - the t-belt was off by 1 tooth.

[Ken4]

I suggest opening the top timing belt cover to do a visual inspect the belt. Old belt looks like this:



New belt looks like this:



You will need to remove the alternator out of the way, and engine top mounting bracket before you can remove the top timing belt cover. Not very difficult to do.

[pmronline]

Hello,

Thanks all for your help. I called up my local dealer and they said they charge $259 for changing timing belt + labor. I am based in Omaha, NE. One more question: Other than dealer website, is there a place which offers coupons ?

newbie212, I had to replace my transmission because there was some problem inside. It used to have slips during the start of the day (only for first the 1 or 2 minutes during the drive). I initially thought it was because of my ABS - I got a feeling like the brake is stuck because of cold weather.. but it was really the tranny.. One fine day, it stopped moving in drive and only reverse was working. I took it to Certified transmission and got another remanufactured tranny and it cost me $1900. And it is really unusual for a Toyota with 105K to have a tranny problem and they get only 4 or 5 toyota a year with a tranny problem.. Unlucky me...

Thanks again.

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[nodrogkam]

ah just get it replaced.

As for your tranny...im thinking since u said you got the car used, perhaps it was used and abused a bit.

And if your car was certified from toyota...they should have done all the checks and inspections!

[geoff5093]

I know you have a '98, but I have a '94 and the timing belt wrapt around the crankshaft.

Anyways, I brought it to a local Toyota Dealership and they said it was $290 for the timingbelt (including labor), $27 for the drivebelt, and $270 for the waterpump. So a total of around $587, but I brought it to another garage and they did everything for around $400.

[timebuilder]

In my area, the timing belt and pump together would fall between $290 and $375, using genuine Toyota parts. Whenever things are difficult to get to, like a water pump, I insist on the Toyota part. You can change out a starter or alternator off the shelf, but when it comes to things like the timing belt and water pump, there is no better part than the OE.

Now, you can compare your belt to the pictures above, but also realize that the car may have had the belt changed at 60 or 70 thousand miles, and it will not look like the new belt shown above at 105k.

If the belt looks very old, like the old belt above, then certainly I'd do the belt and pump. Some dealers have "package deals" on these items.

[alotawatts]

For high milage cars seals are worth doing also
cheap insurance

[JMSinMD]

Assume it's never been done and get Timing Belt, Water Pump and Thermostat done at 120k.

[Mike Gerber]

Originally Posted by pmronline

Hello,
I bought a 1998 Toyota Camry LE 4 cyl from a dealer two months ago(and miles was 103K). The current miles on the vehicle is 105K. The dealer does not know whether the person who sold the car had changed the timing belt. I am a little worried about the timing belt. Is there a way we can know by looking at the timing belt or based on the ride performance, whether it is good or bad. Or it is suggested to change it to be on the safer side. Do you know how much it will cost for parts and labor if I do it at a Toyota dealership. Or is it better to do this at Firestone or Jensen like places rather than dealership.

Recently I had to rebuilt the transmission and spent around $1900 I am worried about another timing belt problem and costly repairs. Please help.

R

The recommended timing belt change interval for the 98 was at 90K.

Also, try this link for Toyota dealer coupons in your area. Just a FYI; many dealers in an area will honor other dealers coupons in that area.

http://www.toyotacoupons.com/UI/Deal...lerSearch.aspx

Mike

[marc780]

Nice post Ken4 but if i were doing that much work i'd go ahead and change it anyway and not just loolk at it