Ebay timing belt kits.

[sonic2wb]

heres a question to all of you that have done the timing belt replacement

there is this one from somewhere i have never heard of

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/94-TO...Q5fAccessories

for $100


or there is this one from a rep'd seller for $176 or $231 (comes with a tensoner)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Toyot...Q5fAccessories

I guess the question is whats the better deal?

[artbuc]

Originally Posted by sonic2wb

heres a question to all of you that have done the timing belt replacement

there is this one from somewhere i have never heard of

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/94-TOYOTA-CAMRY-V6-AVALON-TIMING-BELT-WATER-PUMP-1MZFE-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem2ea962ca8cQQitemZ20041 0319500QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccesso ries

for $100


or there is this one from a rep'd seller for $176 or $231 (comes with a tensoner)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Toyota-Camry-V6-Timing-Belt-Water-Pump-Kit-1994-2001-8p-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem1c0ff3bfa2QQitemZ12052 6716834QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccesso ries

I guess the question is whats the better deal?

I used to be very active on the ClubLexus forum where we have had extensive discussions about this very question,. One member is a first class mechanic with a curious mind. When he removes components he often cuts them apart to asssess their quality. He did this to his DIL's Aisin WP and Koyo bearings.

I strongly recommend going with the $176 kit. It has all OEM stuff. The chances that you need a new hydraulic tensioner are nil. I have never heard of one failing. Aisin WP's and Koyo bearings are vastly superior.

GMB is a decent company. Their idler/tensioner bearings are often included in Gates kits. Like most companies, they make an OEM grade and an aftermarket grade. Considering the work involved and the fact that you will do this probably just once in the car's lifetime, go with OEM.

[sonic2wb]

Thanks, thats what I was thinking. Is there a way to know if the belt needs replaceing? i bought the thing with 196k miles on it and the guy didnt know if it had ever been done.

[artbuc]

Originally Posted by sonic2wb

Thanks, thats what I was thinking. Is there a way to know if the belt needs replaceing? i bought the thing with 196k miles on it and the guy didnt know if it had ever been done.

Not really. If it is cracking with worn and/or missing teeth you know you have to change it. OTOH, it can look like new (and Mitsuboshi belts do look like new after 90k miles) and still be close to failure. Many people take their OEM Toyota TB's 150k with no problem whatsoever. Because you don't know how many miles are on yours, I would replace it without hesitation. I would not bother replacing cam/crank seals unless they are leaking. Of course, I am retired and don't mind taking it apart again later if something fails. If you are paying someone to do the work, the decision process is different. Do you know if the WP is original?

[sonic2wb]

I have no clue, i bought the car kinda in haste as my other car was on its last leg. being a toyota I assumed alot with this car. so im going to say that its all probilly been changed but i really dont know. yea if im going to go into changeing the belt might as well do the seals and WP while im in there.

Ill be doing this myself and i dont like doing the same thing more than once. so ill do as much as possible while im in there. i would like to get at least 150k 200k out of this car before retiring it. So i figure if i jump in now and do all work she should treat us right.