2000 V6 Timing Belt Questions

I have a 2000 Avalon with 100K miles. I had a timing belt replacement, new spark plugs, transmission and radiator flush and fill and tire rotation done at the local Toyota dealer for under $750. The price quotes ranged up to $1600. The dealer was cheaper than any of the independents. They also inspected the car and said nothing else needed doing. This was in overpriced California.

Firstly, thanks for the reply. But, that's still way to much money to pay someone to do a job that I'm fairly sure I can do myself. I'm greedy like that I suppose. My camry was covered by a warranty until last month (naturally the O2 sensor died this month), so I haven't purchased a service manual yet. I'm just curious if I need any special tools (pullers or what have you) or advice/warnings/gotchas etc. to do the timing belt and water pump replacements.

Take a look at the 1MZFE section of the many engines on the free online repair guide. The guide goes up to 96, but the engines are basically the same. See if this is something you want to take on.

You should have/borrow an assortment of tools, including 1/2" 2-ft long breaker bar ($10), 1/2" 20"-extension bar ($17), cam pulley holder ($25), crank pulley holder (SCH64300, $59.95) which requires another breaker bar ($10), floor jack/stands.

I think the crank bolt is about 160 lbft. After a few years requires a lot more than that to remove it.

GATES TCK257 timing component kit $89.79 FEL-PRO TCS45890 crank seal $6.27 FEL-PRO TCS45889 cam seal set $8.55 GATES K060410 Alt/AC belt $13.09 GATES K040345 PS belt $8.61 ASCO/AISIN Part # 1610029085 water pump $61.79 (I personally prefer the Airtex pump from the local NAPA store. Use OEM coolant and distilled water only. I'll try the new Prestone all-makes non-Dexcool extended life coolant in the future.) Total ~$188 + shipping

If needed: FEL-PRO VS50471R valve cover set (with spark plug tube seals) $30.79

Anth>

Denso heated thimbles seem to have problems from the start. TSBs suggest they had also caused catalytic converter failures. I am surprised that Toyota didn't extend the warranty like they did on the oil sludge problem, just to ensure customer satisfaction ;)

I'd use only Bosch planar sensors when available. These have vent holes only at the tip. They use less heater power, light up faster, and are more resistant to contamination because of the planar design. Those Densos went where they belong in the first place, in the trash.

www.boschaut> BTW, I just had the check engine light come on for the first time. Code

See TN threads at the bottom of this page for info on timing belts.

Check the link below for service manuals:

Not to step on any toes. But With only 60K miles I would just change the belt. At the next belt replacement (120K) I would replace the WP/belt/tensioner & crank & cam seals

My 2000 Avalon V6 manual calls for timing belt replacement at 90,000 miles.

90K mile schedule is the specified one. But I noticed the idler bearings began to run dry and would click when shaken at around 60K miles. By 90K-100K they generally got quite noisy and would have some play. 90K is pushing by the marketing department. For me, all the listed parts in my previous message go at 60K while the area is apart for work.

Two pulleys in the Gates Timing Kit package add about $60 more to the ~$30 Gates timing belt. Besides, the cam seals tend to start seeping around 60K, so I'll change those too. I can leave the crank seal (generally in better shape than cam seals) until 120K, but for $6 out it goes. The water pump may or may not be ok at 60K. The last one (Toyota Aisin) I looked at was leaking already, contributing to the mysterious coolant loss problem many posted. And that one was on OEM red with distilled water every year.

On Thu, 12 Oct 2006 23:32:29 -0400, "sqdancerLynn"