Question about 1998 Toyota Avalon engine

[KeithLee2007]

All:
I have a barely used 1998 Toyota Avalon with a 1mz-fe engine. Is that a non-interference or interference engine? www.gates.com says interference yet other websites and links say non-interference. Thank you for any help!

Keith

[KeithLee2007]

All:
I just got the official word from a local Toyota Service Coordinator. The 1998 Toyota Avalon 1MZ-FE v6 engine is non-interference. Here is her recent email to me:

Hi Keith,
Your 1998 Avalon has a 6cylinder engine and a timing belt, this constitutes that your engine is non-interference. If you have any further questions please respond to this email or feel free to call us directly at the phone number listed below.

Mira Winsby - Service Coordinator

[silverxls]

in case you don't know....the significance of her statement is that it has a timing BELT. the interference engines have timing chains.

[Qslim]

Originally Posted by silverxls

in case you don't know....the significance of her statement is that it has a timing BELT. the interference engines have timing chains.

That's true for the older models, but the 2UZ V8s in the trucks and the 3MZ V6s are interference (both of which are belt driven), so that rule doesn't apply across the board.