[Alemaker96]

Hi guys, my 96' Camry that I use as a spare, has a little over 200k on it. It also has the original timing belt which just broke on my wife as she was coming home. We had it towed back to the house, and it's sitting next to the garage. Is this career ender for the old girl, or is it worth putting time and $$ into? Is this job something I could do myself, or is it time to say goodbye? I've done brakes etc. but have never attempted anything like this. Has anyone done this and how did it go? Thanks in advance!

 

[BMR]

4 cyl or V6? Either way, it's a noninterference engine, so replace the timing belt and you're good to go. If you pay a mechanic to do it, it'll cost $400-$800. If you DIY you can buy a kit (highly recommend Aisin, the OEM supplier to Toyota) with most of the parts for about $100. It's best to replace the water pump and all the pulleys when doing the job. Here's DIYs for the two motors.

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/1...g-belt-water-pump-crank-cam-seals-part-i.html
http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/1...9966-my-timing-belt-job-pics-56k-go-away.html

 

[Alemaker96]

It's a 4cyl. Yeah I'd like to keep it as a spare, but the Wife thinks it should go. It's in pretty good condition, so would like to keep it. Thanks for the info!

 

[BMR]

With the 4 cyl, there are some oil pump seals that can be replaced too. Good idea, as these are prone to leaking.

If it's the 200k miles that are worrisome, these things often go >300k miles, as evidenced by our hi-miler thread... http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/1...ny-miles-has-your-camry-done-until-today.html

 

[JohnGD]

A running car is going to fetch more $$$ than one that doesn't. Does sound like a timing belt breakage. Remove/peel back the top timing cover to verify.

If you're digging into the timing belt, might as well change out the water pump while at it. You're going to need/fabricate a crank pulley holder, but otherwise a set of 3/8" and 1/2"-drive tools plus a breaker bar (18" or 25" 1/2"-drive at Harbor Freight is about $10 coupon sale) and extensions (you may or may not need a 1/2"-drive one for the crank pulley) you're in business. Cam/crank seals, the oil pump o-ring/shaft seal mentioned above. Valve cover gasket and spark plug tube seals, reseal the semi-circular plugs. You can check the prices of the parts on rockauto.com just to get an idea and use the 5% discount code: http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/1...4-rockauto-discount-code-18.html#post12823386

A Gates Krikit-II belt tension gauge can help you set the right drive belt tension as these engines don't have automatic tensioners.
https://www.amazon.com/Gates-91132-Belt-Tension-Tester/dp/B000CRDLZM

The Aisin timing kit with the waterpump (one that includes pump housing) is fine. Here is another sample list of what you might want to consider replacing as a part of a compete timing belt job. Of course, check autotrader.com to see what it's worth first. We lost a lot of good pictures in the DIY section, but you can find timing belt changes on Youtube and decide from there.

GATES K030295 Micro-V AT Power Steering Belt
GATES K050435 Micro-V AT Alt/AC Belt
FEL-PRO TCS45920 Crankshaft Front Seal Set (includes the oil pump shaft seal and o-ring - aka ufo, fish, spaghetti etc)
FEL-PRO TCS45641 Camshaft Front Seal
GATES TCK199 (1 Belt, 1 Tensioner, 1 Idler) Timing Belt Component Kit
STANT 48278 180° w/Jiggle Pin OE Type Thermostat
AISIN WPT010A Water pump w/o housing (it's easier if you get one WITH housing)
FEL-PRO VS50304R1 Valve Cover Gasket Set w/Spark plug tube seals

not to mention NGK Iridium-IX spark plugs, NGK wires if you need them. And radiator hoses, among other things like filters, etc.

 

[borwish]

I put a new timing belt on a 96 camry 4 cylinder just two days ago and that part of the work took less than two hours. With three camrys I've done this a few times and this was only the timing belt because the cheap old one stretched after 11 months. A first timer doing all the seals and water pump should take around five hours I'd guess.

A basic metric socket set with a 6 inch extension to loosen the power steering belt and a 14mm wrench for the motor mount are needed along with a jack stand. A 1/4 toque wrench (harbor freight will work) for the water pump if you're doing it. Borrow a harmonic balance puller from an auto parts place before you start and grab two m6 60mm long bolts and four 1/4 washer (standard is cheaper than metric with two for each bolt) Use the m6 bolts in the harmonic balancer puller if it's needed and then use them to hold the harmonic balancer still while you torque it down.

My tool to hold the harmonic balancer is just a piece of 1/4 x 1 inch steel flat bar cut into two pieces (one 22" and one 6") with three 1/4 holes drilled into it. A 1/4 bolt and nut for a hinge and the other two for the m6 bolts to hold the harmonic balancer. An impact gun or the starter bump method will remove the bolt easily. http://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt...l-Flat-Bar-with-1-4-in-Thick-801857/204225720

To turn the crank for timing I use a 19mm socket with two extensions on a 1/2 extendable ratchet. This allows me to stand and see the timing mark on the harmonic balancer and turn it with ease. https://www.harborfreight.com/12-in-drive-extendable-ratchet-62311.html

 

[brianappj]

200,000 and just a timing belt? Mine has 290,000 and I had a timing belt, water pump and seals put in for $900. It sounds like a lot to put in an old car but I plan to put another 90,000 on it and that is cheap to have a working car for $200/year. It usually averages $400 a year on some type of maintenance but add that to the timing belt costs and $600/year is still a deal for a car. Of course you could lease a new car for $3,000.year with no maintenance but I will take my $600/year over $3,000/year every day, not to mention the higher cost of insurance.
At 200,000 I would not hesitate to put a timing belt in it if there are no major issues. This assumes you kept up on the other maintenance items better than you did the belt. You got double the use out of it so you owe the car $400 on the belt is should have had at 100,000.