98 Avalon - Need Help with Service

[aoztuncer]

Hello All,

Newbie here. I have a 1998 Avalon XLS at 110K. I bought the car around 90K and I did not know the service history. I regularly changed the oil since then but that's it. With the current economic situation, it looks like it will be hard to buy a new car, so I decided to take my beloved Avalon to the service and need some advice from you. I can't really spend thousands on this service but will change whatever necessary to drive it for another 20-30K without any problems. If you can answer a few questions for me, it will be greatly appreciated.

1) Should I take it to my own mechanic or to the dealer? Does the service require dealer specific parts/labor?
2) Which parts are vital at this point that needs to be changed?
- Timing belt
- Serpentine belt
- Spark plugs
- Air filter
- Oil filter
- Suspension?
- Brake service (pads, rotors, etc.)?
- Transmission flush

Please feel free to add/remove.

Thanks!
Anil

[Hajoca]

Your own mechanic should have all the equipment needed to perform service on this car, as it is 10 years old now. the 1MZ-FE is a popular engine found in many Toyotas.

The timing belt cover should have a sticker indicating date and mileage if it was previously replaced, otherwise it is time to replace with new timing belt, tensioner bearings, water pump, all seals that is accessible, serpentine and power steering belt, spark plugs, wire set, and new coolant.

Have mechanic inspect brakes.

The other items can be changed at a later visit.

[aoztuncer]

This is great! Thank you for the prompt answer!

Anil

[cexsiman]

im about to do a timing belt, waterpump and transmission flush at 99k, i did plugs and wires about 40k ago, so those are still fine, and i have a new air filter already and have to do another standard oil change.

im looking for input on the transmission flush. im getting a slight 'whirring' sound when accelerating and the car is relatively cool, (i live in south florida, so cool is relative) would it be more worthwhile to do a transmission flush or coolant flush? i drive the car hard at times, but most of the last 20 -30k have been highway miles.

thanks

[silverxls]

if your about to do waterpump...you more or less have to drain most of the coolant anyway...so may as well drain it all and be done with it. at your miles, and since you admit to driving hard at times, definatly do a trans flush. if you do it yourself it can be done for less than 50.00 and it's easy to do. i posted a pretty good description of how to do it in the gen2 forum you could search for.