2008 - 2009 3.5 Ltr. Engine. Timing belt or chain? - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

confuzzled · 02-19-2011, 09:56 PM

Does anyone know if the 3.5 Ltr. engine that is in the newer Avalons has a timing belt or a timing chain. What is the recommended mile replacement of this if required?

Black Knight · 02-20-2011, 11:58 AM

Chain - should last the life of the engine

pmesfun · 02-20-2011, 01:34 PM

chainy-wainy. Only thing I think you might have to replace is the water pump maybe at 200k+,haha. Just change coolant at specified intervals.

confuzzled · 02-20-2011, 07:15 PM

Hooray, chain driven timing is what I had hoped to hear!
Belt driven timing makes me nervous, and is a large maintenance expense that really shouldn't exist. I was looking at some photos that a Volvo owner posted that showed the damaged valve train (and maybe pistons as well but I couldn't tell by the photos) when the timing belt lets go prematurely before the required replacement milage. Not pretty! Anyway that is good to know. Thanks for the good news!