Timing Belt

[trdcamry00]

Is the 2000 camry 4cyl a non-interference engine. I read the 97 is but I just wanted to make sure. if it is, im fuckin lucky cause my timing belt snapped on me at less than 50,000 miles

[keithy]

yes. I think you are indeed lucky.

[Cyorke]

yeah it is a non interference engine. To bad it is over 5years old now you could get it replaced under warranty still. The belt is covered under the powertrain 5/60 warranty. Unless you happened to buy a 2000 on a closeout in 2001. What is the original in service date. DId you buy it new and if so when. It would be worth checking into. That way you can get anything else replaced at no charge also.

[cdncamry]

Meaning if my timing belt snaps, the car will be stranded but my valves won't collide into the pistons? I have 84000 miles on my camry with the original belt (I think) so this is good to hear. When changing the TB you also have to change the water pump too, right?

[Cyorke]

There are cases where the timing belt will snap and still bend the valves but that is normally at very high RPMs. SO yes you should be fine if the belt snaps unless youare free reving the engine or something like that. In my experience when I was working at a Toyota dealer I never saw one that snapped and did valve train damage.

As for replacing the water pump, you dont have to replace the pump but I would probably recommend it at that higher mileage. More than liley it will need to be replaced anyway. You may also have to replace the cam, crank and oil pump seal along with tensioner pulley and idler pulley. You dont know about those until you tear the belt off and inspect it though.

Also jsut so you know I have seen Toyota engines go for well over 100k miles on the original belt. My own 97 Corolla included. I did not replace it until it had about 120k miles on it.

[Davee]

Originally Posted by Cyorke

There are cases where the timing belt will snap and still bend the valves but that is normally at very high RPMs. SO yes you should be fine if the belt snaps unless youare free reving the engine or something like that. In my experience when I was working at a Toyota dealer I never saw one that snapped and did valve train damage.

As for replacing the water pump, you dont have to replace the pump but I would probably recommend it at that higher mileage. More than liley it will need to be replaced anyway. You may also have to replace the cam, crank and oil pump seal along with tensioner pulley and idler pulley. You dont know about those until you tear the belt off and inspect it though.

Also jsut so you know I have seen Toyota engines go for well over 100k miles on the original belt. My own 97 Corolla included. I did not replace it until it had about 120k miles on it.

I am at 192,00km , second timing belt & no water pump --GOOD dealer service rep said don't bother -- just replace timing belt adjuster spring Many people overservice their Camrys

[cdncamry]

Thanks for that info, in that case I won't bother with the water pump when the time comes. How much does it cost for the TB, do you go to the dealership?

[vwsteve]

you could have the dealer file it under a p05 claim, that way everone pays a little. the cost of the service is split between everone three ways one part dealer, one part Toyota and you pay one part. they do this for vehicles that are just out of their warranty, helps keep the customer happy. Its worth the try to have the dealer check into it.
Steve

[Davee]

Originally Posted by cdncamry

Thanks for that info, in that case I won't bother with the water pump when the time comes. How much does it cost for the TB, do you go to the dealership?

Good choice -- water pumps usually fail because drive belts are too tight causing side loading . Worthwhile changing accessory belts same time as TB & spring. Local garage did mine for about $140 including manual transmission flush . Used Synthetic Castrol -- big improvement in shifting in cold weather _(-40!) They need to know importance of maintaining proper timing - no apprentice doing the work without supervision