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At what milage to change the timing belt for Camry 98?

7.3K views 19 replies 11 participants last post by  redtigerrocks  
#1 ·
Guys,

I have Camry 1998 CE 4-Cylinder, and it is now 156K milage and I would like to know when to change the timing belt for this model? And what is the recommended brand for the timing belt to buy?
 
#5 ·
Having the timing belt break won't do anything other than leave you stranded 95% of the time. Both camry engines are noninterference. :) I'd have your tb and water pump changed as soon as you can.
 
#6 ·
Strange, I have asked my Toyota dealer last year, they said 160K km is Toyota recommendation to change the timing belt, and it is now 156K km.

Now, how many hours it will take to change the timing belt? Also what brand I need to buy and how many? Also do I need new T-Belt Tensioner Spring? how many?
 
#7 · (Edited)
search this gen3/4 forum for "timing belt water pump camry", this topic was covered gazillions of times with prices on labor in different corners of world and parts listings with numbers and prices (both aftermarket and oem).

to answer question it should be around 3.5hrs labor on t-belt and wp change plus tensioners, idlers, spring and cam/crankshaft seals. if you want to touch the oil pump seals/gaskets too then add even 3 more hours to that (5.9hrs labor per book on oil pump change is the base then).

as suggested above by Mike, I would stick to OEM parts only around engine, aftermarket parts often tend to go bad much quicker than OEM, not worth it in a long shot.
 
#9 · (Edited)
Guys,

I am shopping for the right timing belt, but I am not sure which one to choose, what do you think of Dayco timing belt kit? Is it OEM?
Dayco is one of OEM manufacturers of accessory belts, so i guess that kit would be good enough. have no idea what good is their water pump though, maybe someone else knows.

here is my parts list for quite extensive timing belt & water pump job on 2000 camry solara 2.2L 5s-fe (california specs, auto tranny):

13568-09041 - Timing Belt
90080-31022 - Seal (Crankshaft)
90080-31023 - Seal (Camshaft)
16110-79026 - Water Pump assy, w/o cover +gaskets
90507-17003 - Tensioner Spring
15188-03011 - Gasket (oil pump)
15165-74020 - Seal oil pump o-ring
13503-63011 - idler sub-assy no.2
90916-03090 - thermostat
16325-63011 - water inlet housing no.1 gasket

used original TLLC,
$480 labor + parts $200
it only does not include the tensioner as it was changed the 1st time (with Bosch water pump which started dying after 2 years and roughly 12k miles, complete bullshit). aftermarket Gates timing belt kits are also good (can get them cheap on www.rockauto.com). however I prefer OEM parts only around engine.

you could pick your own parts from that list and order them online from online toyota dealer (all new OEM) from one of those:
a) www.1sttoyotaparts.com - Tacoma, WA
b) www.toyotapartszone.com - Dallas, TX
c) www.toyotapartsoutlet.com - Charlotte, NC

choose based on your geo location as it impacts the shipping time (via UPS ground) heavily, their prices are comparable.

also if you need OEM parts listing for your model exactly (so you can double check what I gave you above), use:
www.toyodiy.com/parts
give it your car's VIN number for exact listing, then you can either search by part name or number and make sure you have correct OEM part numbers based on their catalog (very accurate).

hope it helps.
 
#14 ·
Guys,

I am still debating changing my timing belt, it costs too much, and it will require all the parts around my engine to be removed to replace it, I don't think my car will be the same again. My car drives very smooth and it should not have any issues.

Is there any way Me or my mechanic can have a look at the timing belt and see if there is any cracks in it before replacing it?
 
#15 ·
To see the timing belt, he'll need to take parts out. If he's doing that, why not go ahead and replace it anyway? So you'd rather be stranded in some remote place with no cell signal or help for miles when your belt breaks? Why do you think you're car won't be the same after a timing belt change? Do you not change the oil fearing the same?
 
#20 ·
Timing Belt you'll never know but Water Pump you can usually tell if you check the engine once in a while. You might see some coolant loss and when my water pump went out, I could hear the water pump bearing clearly inside my cabin. Right before my water pump went out, the needle on my temperature gauge would always sit a little above center.