5S-FE Timing Belt Replacement

[mskhan18]

Hello Everyone,

I have a Gen3 with a 5S-FE with 303541 miles on it. The timing belt is due for replacement. I plan to do it myself. I have seen a pretty good FAQ on it on the forums and also have the Chilton's Repair Manual. I have done some work on VW Beetle's, Honda Civic's and a Nissan 240SX - including suspension replacement, general tuning etc. I am gathering my nerves to do the timing belt replacement on the Camry myself too. There are a lot of things on the to-do list for my Camry but I believe the Timing Belt should be the first one that I need to get done.

Here is the deal: I plan to drive this Camry about 2400 miles, every month - for the next 14-16 months. My wife and son are in Oklahoma and I am going to school in Texas! Only 3 days every week so I don't plan to spend the whole week in Texas and miss my family. Given this I wanted to know if you could advise me what I should replace in addition to the timing belt while I've opened up all the stuff. Any Pulleys or gears or whatever that I could replace while doing the timing belt replacement?

In addition, I plan to replace the suspension, tires and have the car repainted as well. (Thats the to-do list).

ALSO, i got the camry way cheap - as a replacement for my 240SX which my friend had a fender-bender in and he gave me his Camry. SO I can spend some money on it about $1500 I'm thinking! Since I can't afford to change the car so better set it up right for the next year or so that I need it. Thats why this to-do list is there. The car runs fine and has been kept in good tune by my friend.

I also need to know what this SST thing is cause on the FAQ it was mentioned that its better to get it for the timing-belt replacement job instead of trying anything else. Can I loan it from Auto-Zone or some other place. IF I need it in some other places while working on the car I'll buy it but I need to know first what it is.

Thank you!
Mohammad Khan
Arlington. TX.

P.S: I say pretty good pictures on the timing-belt replacement FAQ and a very clean car too. My camry is not so clean but if any one needs pictures let me know and I'll email them or post them here.

[mskhan18]

Hi,
I was going thru the posts here and on Avalon's Forum and found some stuff on timing belt replacement and components replacement. Is there anyway one can tell if the Water Pump needs to be replaced (the one on mine works fine though) and if I should go ahead and replace it as well, while i'm going thru the timing belt replacement?

Thanks,
Mohammad Khan
Arlington. TX.

[Dave G]

If you go to the dealer they always replace the water pump at the same time. Probably a good idea while you're in there.

[ASG14]

You don't NEED to do the waterpump, BUT it is always a good idea to do so since you have it all apart already.

[foompla]

how waterpumps have a tendency to seize, id say to do it. the sst is to hold teh cam still while you loosen the blt to take the gear off. the only reason that youd need to take the gear off is to replace the cam seal. heres what you replace:

timing belt
waterpump
thermostat
engine seals (cam, crank, oil pump seal, oil pump, o ring if its a 4 cylinder)
drive belts

warning, the cam seal is a little bit of a pain in the butt to replace. the waterpump will either leak or the bearings will feel rough.

[mskhan18]

Oil Pump? I don't get it

[kamesama980]

many engines run the oil pump off a gear driven by the timing belt. so its got a seal too.

[marc780]

mskan, id check that engine real good (compression check, oil leaks) before putting any $$ into it. 300k miles thats a whole lot. Maybe a valve job at least?
Also id recommend a haynes manual or just dl the manuals here, instead of the Chilton ditto. Because in my experience, Chilton manuals are often WRONG on alot of important steps.

Foomp, toyota says you have to remove the cam gears and inner TB cover to change the water pump, also. So does Haynes manual. I havent done mine yet but i made a tool to hold thee cam gear while removing the bolt. The manuals say DO NOt use belt tension to hold any of the engine gears while removing the bolt. So you dont HAVE to buy the $$$ Toyota SSt for this but you have to make/buy something to hold the gears.

[mskhan18]

I didn't put together Timing-Belt and Oil-Pump so was curious why it was mentioned. Thanks for bringing it into my attention.

Mohammad Khan