I am requesting experience on the "suggested maintenance" of replacing the timing belt for $500 -- $600 on a Toyota Avalon 2001 with a 3.5L engine with 134,000 miles. This mainentance seems very expensive to me. Is this something you have done? or gone without? I have done the other mainentance very regular.
this is my first car that I have owned to reach this many miles. -- Very good experience with this car. I am starting to think about trading for a new vehicle or continue on adding miles to this car. How many miles is reasonable before the repair bills start to hit?
Thanks in advance for any suggestions / experience to be shared.
Bob
Dosen't the 2001 Avalon have the 3.0L V6? $500-$600 to change the timing belt is reasonable, but replace the water pump with it too. (May add another $100) The labor is what's expensive. For 2001, it should be change every 90,000 miles. Do you happen to know if it has been done before?
The problem with the Avalon is that is unclear if it's interference or non-interference engine. If it's an non-interference engine, the engine will shut down if the belt snap and just need a tow. But if it's a interference, the heads will be damage when the belt break. Most likely it's a non-interference but no one is 100% sure. (Forums and dealerships show different info)
As for mileage; some people lease car every 3-4 years and are happy with that. Some will let people drive the price off of new cars and buy them used, while others will drive the same car for 15+ years. If the car is running good, then a little maintenance can give it many more years. But if you feel like it's time for a new car, nothing wrong with that if you’re financially ready. It's really a personal decision, but I will chime in that I find most vehicles begin to show major problems around 175,000 miles.
__________________ 2000 Lexus ES300 Millenium Edition1MZ-FE 64,000 Km 1993 Camry V6 LE3VZ-FE 164,000 Km SOLD but still in the family 1990 Camry LE2VZ-FE 202,000 Km 1987 Camry LE3S-FE 435,000 Km 1971 Corolla 2-door Coupe2T-C 260,000 miles
The Following User Says Thank You to 71Corolla For This Useful Post:
That helps a lot. Just checked it on other websites too. Wish I knew that earlier because there was a TN thread a while back that no one knew if a 99 Avalon was interfence or not.
I am requesting experience on the "suggested maintenance" of replacing the timing belt for $500 -- $600 on a Toyota Avalon 2001 with a 3.5L engine with 134,000 miles. This mainentance seems very expensive to me. Is this something you have done? or gone without? I have done the other mainentance very regular.
this is my first car that I have owned to reach this many miles. -- Very good experience with this car. I am starting to think about trading for a new vehicle or continue on adding miles to this car. How many miles is reasonable before the repair bills start to hit?
Thanks in advance for any suggestions / experience to be shared.
Bob
A $500-600 price is fair. Timing belt is ESSENTIAL maintenance and needs to be done; at 134K miles you are asking for trouble. Even if the engine isn't damaged (which is a risk), when the timing belt breaks the car stops. No warning, no chance to drive to a safe place. And remember Murphy's Law: It will only break late at night - 400 miles from home - in an area with no cell service - in the middle of a raging storm - when you desperately need to get somewhere! And the other poster is right - do the water pump at the same time.
Properly treated, this car should be good to well over 200K miles.
PS: You have a 3.0L, not a 3.5L V6, unless someone has done a strange engine swap.
Last edited by bobflood; 05-11-2011 at 12:19 PM.
The Following User Says Thank You to bobflood For This Useful Post:
Even if the engine isn't damaged (which is a risk), when the timing belt breaks the car stops. No warning, no chance to drive to a safe place. And remember Murphy's Law: It will only break late at night - 400 miles from home - in an area with no cell service - in the middle of a raging storm - when you desperately need to get somewhere! And the other poster is right - do the water pump at the same time.
100% agreed. Say the timing belt fails right when you need to accelerate when crossing traffic on a turn?
Yes the 2001 Avalon has the 3.0 liter engine (same engine used in the ES300).
__________________ 2000 Lexus ES300 Millenium Edition1MZ-FE 64,000 Km 1993 Camry V6 LE3VZ-FE 164,000 Km SOLD but still in the family 1990 Camry LE2VZ-FE 202,000 Km 1987 Camry LE3S-FE 435,000 Km 1971 Corolla 2-door Coupe2T-C 260,000 miles
The Following User Says Thank You to 71Corolla For This Useful Post:
100% agreed. Say the timing belt fails right when you need to accelerate when crossing traffic on a turn?
Yes the 2001 Avalon has the 3.0 liter engine (same engine used in the ES300).
You guys now have succeeded in totally confusing me!!! All the research I have done told me that my 2002 3.0 is NOT an Interference engine, do you have a link you can post that shows it is?
__________________
2002 Avalon XLS
2004 Nissan Titan SE
2011 Hyundai Sonata SE
There is a lot of confusion on this issue. I researched this awhile back, and never came to a 100% conclusion, but the general consensus was that a VVTi equipped engine was interference. Again, I can't be certain of this.
If you look at the Gates timing belt guide, they don't help at all. They show the Avalon 1998-2004 as interference, the Camry 1998-2004 as interference, and a bunch of others as well show interference. But the ES300 1999-2003 shows and non-interference, as well as other models with the identical engine.
I'd say if in doubt, consider the engine interference just to be safe.
__________________ 2000 Lexus ES300 Millenium Edition1MZ-FE 64,000 Km 1993 Camry V6 LE3VZ-FE 164,000 Km SOLD but still in the family 1990 Camry LE2VZ-FE 202,000 Km 1987 Camry LE3S-FE 435,000 Km 1971 Corolla 2-door Coupe2T-C 260,000 miles
I also questioned the need to replace the timing belt at 130,000 miles on my 2000 Avalon XL. After some digging on line, it decided that the cost paid for the repair would be cheap insurance against in break down weather interference or non-interference.
I had all three belts that are co located near each other replaced at the same time but was told by the Toyota mechanic that serviced the car, that I would not need to replace the water pump, because, "he has never seen one go out on an Avalon"
I replaced my timing belt and water pump at 95000. The Toyota shop confirmed to me that my 2000 Avalon with a 1MZ-FE 3.0 engine was a non-interference engine. I looked at the belt after they took it off and it looked almost brand new. If I had to do it over again, I would have waited much longer. However, I would change the water pump at the same time.
I replaced my timing belt and water pump at 95000. The Toyota shop confirmed to me that my 2000 Avalon with a 1MZ-FE 3.0 engine was a non-interference engine. I looked at the belt after they took it off and it looked almost brand new. If I had to do it over again, I would have waited much longer. However, I would change the water pump at the same time.
I looked at the broken timing belt on my stepson's Volvo when we fixed it after it broke - except for the actual place it broke it also looked "almost brand new." No cracks, chipped teeth, or other signs of wear. Unfortunately, the internal stresses as the belt ages/wears don't necessarily show up on the outside. This is not a place to cheat much on the maintenance interval.
__________________
2002 Avalon XLS; Black with grey interior; no mods; 2nd owner; 165K+ miles.
Getting ready to do a belt on a 2000 with only 65K. I have a 2004 Acura TL and on that car did the whole bunch of parts at the same time. Such as:
belt, timing
tensioner, timing belt auto
adjuster, timing belt
water pump
belt, compressor
Idler Pulley
Thermostat Assy
Thermostat Rubber Mounting
cam shaft seals
crank seal
Getting ready to do a belt on a 2000 with only 65K. I have a 2004 Acura TL and on that car did the whole bunch of parts at the same time. Such as:
belt, timing
tensioner, timing belt auto
adjuster, timing belt
water pump
belt, compressor
Idler Pulley
Thermostat Assy
Thermostat Rubber Mounting
cam shaft seals
crank seal
Does anybody have a similar list for the Avalon?
65K is pretty short milage for a timing belt, but I understand doing it because of the years. I always do the water pump if it's driven by the timing belt, which it is in this vehicle. Rely on the mechanic doing the work for input re the adjusters/tensioners - they may not need it; same for the crank and cam seals. Might as well change any/all external belts, since they have to come off anyway. Pretty sure thermostat is an entirely separate assembly, but again due to age putting a new one on is not unreasonable. How do you have a 2000 w only 65K miles?? Good luck.
__________________
2002 Avalon XLS; Black with grey interior; no mods; 2nd owner; 165K+ miles.
Thanks, it is my belongs to my mother. A lot of people offer to buy her car but she knows I have first bid. Nevertheless, I don't expect to see it for at least another 5 years. I got a 2001 Nissan Sentra a two years ago from another family member with only 55,000. Still age does make a difference. Rust here in NJ gets them all before they reach 20 years.
The AutoGuide.com network consists of the largest network of enthusiast-owned enthusiast-operated automotive communities.
AutoGuide.com provides the latest car reviews, auto show coverage, new car prices, and automotive news. The AutoGuide network operates more than 100 automotive forums where our users consult peers for shopping information and advice, and share opinions as a community.
ToyotaNation.com is an independent Toyota/Lexus enthusiast website. ToyotaNation.com is not sponsored by or in any way affiliated with Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. The Toyota, Lexus and Scion names and logos are trademarks owned by Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc.
Linear Mode
