Timing belt replacement advice?

this correct? Belt broke on my Corolla once and the car just stopped running, it caused no damage. (I know, a different engine!)

My God, I'm in the *wrong* business! Yeah, it kinda makes sense to do the water pumkp at the same time, esp w/80,000, but that's yer choice. I have a Toy with 259k on the original wp (exceptional, I know)

You didn't say where you're from, and it's not apparent from the header. Most Toy dealers charge $199.00 to replace the belt, add $125 for the wp (I think, it's been a while) and the labor involved and we're still under$600. If it were a chain I could see the $$$, but it's not.

There is no way to tell what shape the belt is in by looking but at 80K it's time is near. Usually they put a sticker either under the hood (attached to the hood) or on the fan shroud saying when the belt was replaced.

And you're right about the Corolla. Most 'Rollas are made w/'non interference' engines. When the belt breaks, the valves are clear of the pistons, so no damage gets done. I don't know about the Camrys.

extended sludge

Called the dealer where I bought the camry used. (Massachusetts)

They get around $500 for the belt, waterpump and all belts.

My mechanic is about $600 for the same thing.

I'll go with my mechanic. Extra $100 is for the trust factor!

Although always a little more expensive, I've never had a problem with his work or honesty. (as far as I know?)

I cant say the same for the dealer.

Also, I fix alot of things myself and my mechanic will offer diagnostic advice when I need it.

Steve

The fact that he is wrong about the V6 being an interference engine should temper that trust.

Find another mechanic or dealer.

Hey...that's where I am! East or west?

I guess, as long as you have a good mechanic you trust, that's the main thing. My Toy dealer had a couple of really good guys who knew their stuff , so for more perplexing probs I got to them. For off the cuff stuff I either do it myself or, if I reach the end of my usable knowledge there are a couple of decent people I go to.

Where can I check this information?

Steve

Try this:

"Regular belt replacement is especially important on Acura and Honda engines because almost every one of these engines is an interference design! The only exceptions are the 3.2L V6 in the 1998 and newer Acura SLX models, and the 3.2L V6 in 1994 and up Passports.

With Toyota, there's less risk of additional engine damage because the only Toyota interference engines are the older 1.5L Tercel, 2.4L Pickup and 1.8L Camry and Corolla engines. Apparently, Toyota's engineers were more generous with combustion chamber clearances than Honda's engineers."

Also:

"TOYOTA

Asterisk (*) Denotes interference engine.

Manufacturers' Recommended Replacement Intervals

1.8L Diesel*, 2.2L Diesel*, 2.5L, 2.8L

2.OL, 2.2L Gasoline, 3.OL 1-6, 3.OL V6 (21)

3.4L (1)

(21). On 1993 & prior models, replace at 60,000-mile intervals; on 1994 & later models, manufacturer does not recommend a specific maintenance interval.

Here's the URL, which lists a lot of engines:

According to Gates Belts it is non-interference.

This information was filtered through my wife so I'll give mechanic the benifit of the doubt on this one! Wife probably has it backwards!!

Steve

Theres a sucker born every minute and if the shoe fits....... Here are some questions for you to ponder.... ONE) That job pays 3.3 hours time flat rate with the pump. This is from the motors manual that "your mechanic" and the dealer both use. If "your mechanic" is $ 100 more for this job than the dealer as you say, then he is about $ 33.00 more per hour. In most Mass. dealers, the labor rate is about $ 70.00. So your guy is $ 103.00 an hour? ($70.00 plus $33.00). Ask him his hourly rate , then multiply by 3.3 hours thats your labor. Now add parts. TWO) he is incorrect on it being an interference motor, this is the guy you trust to do this job? He is either trying to scare your wife or is really unfamiliar with that motor, either case says he wouldd not be touching the thing if it was mine. THIRD) Is he using genuine toyota parts? If he is using aftermarket stuff it should be about 2/3 the price. I just looked it up and using gates belt, aftermarket pump, and 3.3 hours at 70 bucks its about $ 420. I don't care what technical god he is , you're getting screwed. Maybe thats to harsh , he is taking advantage of a good customer, things that dealers are accused of all the time. Brad

You better not tell her that Steve or she'll be giving you a well timed belt! Mike

Thanks for the info, but. Tough to shop for best price on auto repairs. Job has to be done right also. This car had tires that kept loosing air. Dealer remounted tires for free. still the same problem. Ended up going to a tire specialist and paying $55 to have rims cleaned, tires mounted and balenced. Solved the problem!

Hurts to pay the $55 but how many times do I go back to the dealer to fix the tires.

"Although these engines are not listed as interference motors ..... Toyota does recommend replacement for these motors at 60,000 miles if your vehicle is driven under conditions of extensive idling or low speed driving for a long distance such as a police car, taxi or door-to-door delivery usage. You will have to decide for yourself if the peace of mind offered by a new belt is worht it on higher mileage engines......."

I interpretted this to mean that the author felt you could go more than the 60K. It suggests inspecting the belt and has some pictures showing what a warn belt looks like.

Usually, the timing belt specials say "additional parts may be required at substantial additional cost."

from an old news group posting:

"We replace the valve cover gasket and tube seals, cam seal, front crank seal, oil pump seal, oil pump O ring, tensioner (add spring) and idler bearings, drive belts, water pump and thermostat as well as the timing belt. We use only OE or OEM parts. That repair here in Austin is about $950" Cliff