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1998 Camry.... a few questions

Hi,

My first post on this group. I recently bought a '98 Camry LE and had a few questions.

1) What is the interval for replacing the timing belt? The car had no manual (though I have one coming from E-Bay). The Camry has 190,000 kilometers (125,000 miles) and I'm concerned it might be due for a timing belt change at 200,000 kms.

2) A friend told me the Camry 4 cylinder engine is a non-interference design' meaning the engine would not be damaged if the timing belt ever did break. Is this true?

3) Is it possible to install a passenger side airbag cutoff switch? I ask this because my 7 year old nephew could ride in the front seat of my last vehicle which had one airbag only and is disappointed that he can't ride in the front seat of my Camry. Got to keep those nephews happy you know. :)

Thanks in advance, Paul

Reply to
Paul G.
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Your belt is on borrowed time - you should change them every 140k km.

Yes

I've never heard of a passenger-side deactivation switch in a Camry of this vintage, although my Ford F250 of the prior model year had one. In any case, the best place for children is in the middle of the back seat, but you probably know that.

Reply to
Nobody Important

It's possible but you need to install a warning placard and ability to reactivate. Long time since I've read procedure. Check Google for "air bag deactivation"

Reply to
Daniel

Toyota recommends 6 years or 90K miles. That should work, but the older 5 years or 60K miles schedule seems much better.

I like to replace the following components while the area is apart (USD $,

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GATES TCK199 (kit of timing belt with two pulleys and instruction) $85 GATES Part # K030295 PS belt $4.32 GATES Part # K050435 Alt/AC $12.12 FEL-PRO TCS45641 Cam seal $4.11 FEL-PRO TCS45920 Crank seal $6.04 BCA Part # 221820 Oil pump seal $2.71 Airtex $58 water pump FEL-PRO VS50304R valve cover gasket set $13.94 BECK/ARNLEY 0396428 $1.87 (PCV grommet)

Reply to
johngdole

======= FWIW, Toyota also recommends Toyota parts.

Reply to
Daniel

Thanks for your replies everyone. I went through the service bills the previous owner had given me and the timing belt was replaced by a Toyota dealer at 88,000 miles so it looks like I'm good for awhile yet. I was unsure about the interval for changing them as my last vehicle, a Previa, needed the belt changed every 60,000 miles.

Reply to
Paul G.

Reply to
David In NH

It is a non-interference engine, so the worst thing that would happen is that you loose engine power, but no damage to the engine will occur. The percentage of botched timing belt change jobs is amazing high (even when done by the dealer), so take that into consideration also.

Reply to
Mark A

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