2000 V6 - Free Running or Interference Engine

[WilBoud]

I was reading a few posts here about Timing Belt changes and noticed someone posted that the 2000 XLS V6 is not an interference engine.

Is there any definite word whether or not the engine is Free Running or an Interference type engine....???

[grampas_avy]

Lots of confusion on this issue. I have concluded non-interference. Check out Gates website and you'll see that the 2000 Avy is not an interfenece engine. You'll still be stranded if it breaks though.
http://www.gates.com/part_locator/in...cation_id=3598

[bobflood]

Agree w grampas - 1MZ-FE is a non-interference engine. And you will be stranded if it breaks. And remember Murphy's Law - it will only break at 2AM, 400 miles from home, in the middle of rain/snow storm, in a place with no cell service!!

[WilBoud]

Originally Posted by bobflood

Agree w grampas - 1MZ-FE is a non-interference engine. And you will be stranded if it breaks. And remember Murphy's Law - it will only break at 2AM, 400 miles from home, in the middle of rain/snow storm, in a place with no cell service!!

Oh well ......Will wonders never cease.

I called my dealer, spoke to the service manager, asked the same question. He said he would call me back within a half hour. He did, and stated it's an Interference Engine. SO....I'm back to square one.....!!!

Thanks anyway.....!!!

[ChiTDI]

Call another dealer and you might think about using another dealer as well.
Non-interference.

[grampas_avy]

Like I said, lots of confusion. I've read so much contradictory stuff. Drives me crazy.

[WilBoud]

A lot of confusion indeed.

Called a second Dealer this afternoon. Asked for the Service Writer. Upon asking him the big question, there was no hesitation.....he stated it was an interference engine. When I asked about the 2000 taco.......Free Running.....!!!!00Thanks to everyone for your time....!!!

[ChiTDI]

I didn't mean to sound argumentative, apologize if I did.
Based my opinion on Gates -
http://www.gates.com/part_locator/in...cation_id=3598

[Yuko]

I remember asking my auto tech instructor this question a several months ago. He has been in the auto industry 30+ years. I ask if my little 2.2 was non-interference and he said it was included that the V6 in the Camry was also non-interference. But then he stated that the same V6 in the Avalon was an interference engine because it has a different piston design. Weird why Toyota would have two different pistons for the 1MZ-FE?

So I called my local dealer and asked the service department if the V6 in “my” 2000 Avalon was free-running or interference. And they told me it’s “A free-running motor. Would you like to set an appointment…?”

Then I called another local dealer and they told me "it's a interference motor. If the timing belt breaks, the valve and piston will hit each other."

Now I’m confused as you are.

[TrailDust]

http://www.aa1car.com/library/timing...ce_engines.htm

[zythr]

Originally Posted by TrailDust

http://www.aa1car.com/library/timing...ce_engines.htm

Thanks but still no help. They have the Cressida 2.8 listed as Interference, yet it has also been mentioned as a non-interference engine

[BiXLL]

I was told my 2002 Avalon was free running!

[aznstylez]

Originally Posted by Yuko

I remember asking my auto tech instructor this question a several months ago. He has been in the auto industry 30+ years. I ask if my little 2.2 was non-interference and he said it was included that the V6 in the Camry was also non-interference. But then he stated that the same V6 in the Avalon was an interference engine because it has a different piston design. Weird why Toyota would have two different pistons for the 1MZ-FE?

So I called my local dealer and asked the service department if the V6 in “my” 2000 Avalon was free-running or interference. And they told me it’s “A free-running motor. Would you like to set an appointment…?”

Then I called another local dealer and they told me "it's a interference motor. If the timing belt breaks, the valve and piston will hit each other."

Now I’m confused as you are.

There are two different versions of 1MZ-FE. One with VVT-i and one with no VVT-i. This got me wondering if the Highlander, Lexus ES, Camry, Sienna, Lexus, and the RX300 got the same thing. I got an 01 Avalon and an 01 RX 300...hmmm...

[csaxon]

VVT-i 1mzfe is interference.
The 1mzfe engine features cast aluminium pistons with an anti-friction resin coating (moly) and valve depressions that decrease the chance of valve-to-piston interference in case of timing belt failure on motors without VVT-i.

[tah]

Talked to my local independent Toyota/Lexus specialist. He's a Toyota Master Tech who went out on his own about six years ago. Even the guys at the stealership (if they like you!) will tell you to go to him with the hard questions.

He said Toyota has only built three interference motors. Two were 4 cylinders and there was a V8.

According to him Toyota likes to "stay away" from interference designs.

He went on to state that he has repaired "many" 2000 ~ 2004 Avalons that lost the belt with no damage.

YMMV but I'll take this guy's word..............