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Toyota Avalon Timing Belt Questions

46 messages,  Last post on Feb 22, 2012 at 6:36 PM

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What is this discussion about? Toyota Avalon, Engine, Sedan

Messages Page 5 of 5

#37 of 46 Water Pump by mhill3

Feb 03, 2006 (7:54 pm)

Do you recommend changing the water pump when you change the timing belt? I have 86,000 miles on my 98 Avalon and the Toyota dealership told me that it would be a good idea to change the water pump when the timing belt is changed. Are they just trying to make another sale? mhill3

#38 of 46 Re: Water Pump [mhill3] by txgeezer

Feb 04, 2006 (12:01 am)

Replying to: mhill3 (Feb 03, 2006 7:54 pm)
Not necessarily. I saved the following from another forum I'm on, and it's what I intend to go by. I recently changed the belt due to age (6.5 years), not mileage (60,000) and didn't get the pump. Next change, I will:
---
You should also do the water pump (with body) while you’re in there as it is fast and easy with the timing belt off. If the car only has 60K, you can skip the water pump, but anything over 100K, I'd replace it. Use a good pump (preferably OE). And when replacing the water pump, have them "toss in" a new OE thermostat too. Of course, they will charge you for the part itself, but no labor.
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Hope this helps.

#39 of 46 Avalon-timing belt by ltom

Jun 28, 2008 (7:56 am)

I bought new in Jan 98. Has 145k miles now. Have never changed the timing belt. My owners manual says "Check" at 90k. No replacement standard that I have seen. The belt can be checked-I pull the top right hand belt cover and use an inspection light and mirror-I see similar "inspection kits" at Costco for about $25 from time to time. At this time it is, finally, beginning to show signs of wear-mostly the unribbed side (I call it the back) is starting to shine. There is no cracking or ribbing problem. Plan on changing it myself (not the first I have changed) in a week when she flies to visit kids for 10 days - mostly because of the age of the belt. It is not an interference engine, so breaking is usually only an inconvenience My mother had an 86 Camry (I know-different everything) that nobody took care of other than the local K-Mart. She knew nothing about a timing belt, until it broke in 2002. K-Mart even towed it in for free-belt replacement was all they did. So, make your own decisions on when to replace the belt and keep the dealers hands out of your billfold.

#40 of 46 Timing Belt by mohull

Jun 29, 2008 (6:18 am)

Hello everybody and thanks for all.
I just bought a 1999 Avalon XLS with the 92000 mileage. It is my first car I have ever had. I am wondering whether I have to change the timing belt. The car runs very well. In addition, what maintenance jobs I have to do for my car in order to drive it for next 3 years safely and without any problem. I appreciate if you give me a favor. Sincerely

#41 of 46 Re: Timing Belt [mohull] by pat

Jun 29, 2008 (10:47 am)

Replying to: mohull (Jun 29, 2008 6:18 am)
Welcome and congrats on your new Avalon! This may help answer some of your questions: Maintenance Schedules, Recalls and Technical Service Bulletins.
 
Enjoy your new ride!

#42 of 46 How Reliable High Mileage Avalons by nightlinger

Nov 22, 2008 (1:52 pm)

I have a 2000 Avalon with 304,000 miles. Basically, except for the oil, I service it
every 90,000 miles when I change timing belt. It is running fine, but I am beginning
to wonder about its further reliability. What part will likely fail that will leave me
stranded without warning?

#43 of 46 How to know if your Avalon has an interference engine by dana9marie

Jan 27, 2012 (12:05 am)

I just did a bunch of research and found the following regarding Toyota Avalons:
 
The 3.0 V6 with VVTi is interference whereas the standard 3.0 V6 without VVTi is NOT interference. Source: http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/154-1st-generation-1995-1999/357910-avalon-v6-- interference-engine.html
 
VVTi was introduced in 1999 on the 2nd Generation Avalons. But the 1st Generation Avalons were still made and sold in 1999 and they did not have VVTi. So if your car is 1999, like mine, find out if it is 1st Gen or 2nd Gen which is easy enough by looking at it (pics on wikipedia!). Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Avalon
 
But really all of this info is pointless because all you really have to do is go to this website and it will tell flat out whether your car has an interference engine or not! http://www.gates.com/part_locator/
 
I could have said this from the start but it took me an hour to research all of this and find out so I felt like sharing everything
 
Best of luck to you all and to all good timing belt health and a non-interference engine!
 
dm

#44 of 46 Timin chain replacement by tbesiak

Feb 22, 2012 (3:09 pm)

Welcome. By the way this subject ask. Does anyone have a description of the timing chain replacement. I know that it is better to take the car to a mechanic, but I have some free time now so I can try. I've heard that this is not complicated.

#45 of 46 Re: Timin chain replacement [tbesiak] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Feb 22, 2012 (6:36 pm)

Replying to: tbesiak (Feb 22, 2012 3:09 pm)
you really should have all the diagrams and torque specs in front of you--if you mess up just one little part of it, you could have a catastrophe. You can buy a repair manual on Amazon or join www.alldatadiy.com for a mere $26 a year, and they'll guide you through ANY repair on your car.

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