A handful of quick points regarding timing belt replacement. Knowing whether your engine is an interference or non-interference engine is essential to understanding the potential harm that might result from not replacing the timing belt. The majority of current engines are non-interfering, which means that even if the timing belt breaks, the piston won’t make contact with the valves. The interference engines will cause serious harm to the engines.
For the experienced do-it-yourselfer, changing the timing belt on your automobile is a pretty simple task that may make for a fun four hours of getting to know your car better.
The key to keeping your car running is routine preventative maintenance. My Camry has 423 000 km on it and is still going strong. I would be willing to provide pictures of the full procedure online if anyone is interested in learning more.
In This Article...
Can I change the timing belt on my own?
It does need some engine knowledge to replace a timing belt and water pump, so if you don’t have much expertise working under the hood, we advise leaving it to the experts. However, if you prefer making your own repairs and restorations, you can do it yourself and avoid paying hefty repair expenses in the process.
Starting with the tools you’ll need, we’ll walk you through the replacement of a timing belt and water pump step by step.
What You’ll Need to Replace the Water Pump and Timing Belt
- bags made of plastic and a permanent marker (for labelling nuts, bolts and parts you remove from the engine)
- Set of Allen keys
- new antifreeze/coolant
- a fresh timing belt
- Wrench socket set
- jar or bucket (for collecting coolant)
- leather gloves
- tools for driving screws, such as Philips and slot drive
- a fresh water pump
- Tip-Ex, white chalk, and white paint (for marking the cogs for simpler reassembly)
Step 1: Preparation
Get your car and work area ready first. Depending on your degree of experience, changing a timing belt and water pump can take anywhere from one to three hours, so make sure you have the time and space necessary. Before you begin, carry out the following:
- Prepare all of your tools, and have bags and a pen on available to name and store the engine parts you remove.
- To reach the undercarriage beneath the engine, jack up the front of the automobile.
- To stop the engine from spinning while you’re removing the timing belt, put the engine in gear and apply the handbrake.
- Before starting, make sure the engine is entirely cool.
- Since coolant will spill out when you remove the water pump, place a bucket underneath it. To find the pump, see your car’s manual.
Step 2: Removing the Belts
You must first remove the fan belt and power steering belt because they are located next to the cover that protects the timing belt and water pump. To remove the belts, take the following actions:
- Crankshaft pulley: Loosen. To access the engine and remove the bolt, you’ll need a long wrench arm.
- To access the timing case and crankshaft pulley, do the same with the power steering belt by moving it aside.
- The fasteners holding the alternator in place should be loosened. The fan belt can then be removed by lightly tapping it.
When should a Toyota Camry’s timing belt be changed?
Timing belts are important, but unless your Toyota owner’s handbook specifically advises it, they don’t need to be replaced on a regular basis. Between 60,000 and 100,000 miles, some automakers advise changing the timing belt, while others don’t. Many timing belts available now can last 100,000 miles or more before they need to be replaced.
Is there a timing belt or chain on a 1999 Camry?
All Toyota Camry V6 models used a timing chain and interference engine from 2007 to 2021. Between 1990 and 2006, non-interference engines and timing belts were standard on V6 Camrys.
All 4 cylinder Toyota Camry models used timing chain and interference engines from 2002 to 2021. Timing belts and non-interference engines were standard on the four-cylinder Camrys from 1990 to 2001.
In contrast to the 2006 Toyota Camry 3.0L V6 190 hp (1MZ-FE) option, the 2021 Toyota Camry 2.5L 4 Cyl. 206 hp (A25A-FKS) option includes a timing chain.
How much does a 99 Toyota Camry timing belt replacement cost?
Belts don’t cost a much by themselves. Since many pieces must be removed in order to reach the belt, labor is where the true expense lies. Your best chance is to shop about and compare prices, but be prepared to pay anything between $409 and $919. (including parts and labor).
What occurs when the timing belt on a Toyota Camry malfunctions?
With a broken timing belt, your automobile cannot operate. You won’t be able to drive at all by the time the belt snaps because the harm has already been done. The vehicle will need to be towed to an auto repair facility.
Should a timing belt be used to replace the water pump?
Many modern engines now use timing belts instead of timing chains. The appropriate sequential operation of the crankshaft, pistons, and valves is guaranteed by both belts and chains. Compared to chains, belts are more efficient, lighter, and quieter.
Unless your vehicle has a time chain, which doesn’t often need repair, both parts are essential to the vehicle’s correct operation and should be replaced on a regular basis. See how these parts function below, along with information on the internal parts of the timing belt and water pump system that are related to them.
For information on when to replace your water pump and timing belt, consult your owner’s manual, or stop by and speak one-on-one with one of our service specialists. In general, whenever the timing belt is changed, the idler pulleys, tensioner, and water pump should also be replaced. Since the water pump is often driven by the timing belt, now is the ideal time to replace it. In addition, the manufacturer advises it.
A WORD FOR THE SMART. When requesting a “over-the-phone estimate for replacing a timing belt and/or water pump,” use caution. Less reputable businesses will offer you what appears to be a wonderful price to entice you in and not disclose the “full picture” (see above). The vast majority of the time, it is cost-effective and complete maintenance to replace the timing belt, water pump, tensioner, and idler pulley (where equipped) all at once. This is because, if one element needs replacement, the others are typically not far behind. For details, consult your owner’s handbook.
Caveat Emptor (Buyer Beware)
Let’s get to it: The less honest repair shop provides you a lowball estimate to replace the timing belt or the water pump with little to no labor and little to no cost for parts. When they get you in and your car is disabled on the hoist, they dial your number and ask, “Guess what you need? You guessed ityou need the complete timing belt and water pump package, which also includes the new idler pulley and new timing belt tensioner that your quote ought to have originally included! Hello!
Because you frequently need to remove the water pump in order to access the timing belt, the labor cost difference to perform both units at the same time is practically nonexistent in most vehicles! When compared to having to pay all that labor AND the expense of a water pump in the not-too-distant future when the water pump blows up, the cost of most water pumps is small.
In our humble opinion, it is misleading not to provide you with an accurate estimate of the total cost to replace the water pump, the timing belt, and any other small ancillary parts at the same time.
A timing belt’s lifespan is 200 000 miles.
That concludes our examination of the timing belt’s nature, operation, and significance. Can a timing belt travel more than 200 000 miles? Not at all. And to be honest, unless you have a junker that you don’t mind giving up, you really shouldn’t try this out in person. Expect severe engine damage if you continue to drive your automobile with a timing belt that is worn out, installed incorrectly, or otherwise flawed.
The cost of replacing your timing belt is by no means a cheap one. You’ll have to pay several hundred dollars, or in some cases nearly or more than a thousand. But this is little compared to the $2,000, $3,000, or even higher needed to rebuild a broken timing belt-related engine that has failed. Who would have thought that this tiny piece of rubber could fail and give you such heartache?
Are specific tools required to change a timing belt?
You must check the timing reference marks before replacing a timing belt, chain, or gear set on some engines. If you don’t know which timing marks to use or how to align them, some engines’ many timing marks may be confusing.
When changing a timing belt or chain, numerous engines demand specialized tools. To ensure that the timing belt is correctly tensioned, you should at the very least have a belt tension gauge.
When changing a timing belt or chain, many engines also demand specialized tools. To ensure that the tension on a timing belt is appropriate, you should at the very least have a belt tension gauge. On some dual overhead cam engines, specialized camshaft positioning tools (or a bolt or pins) may also be needed to hold the cams in place while the belt or chain is being changed.
A handful of the unique OEM timing tools that can be needed include the following:
How can my timing belt be checked?
To check the belt, start by examining its exterior to determine if any teeny cracks are developing. The timing belt is an extremely durable rubber-covered metal-reinforced belt. The rubber ought to be largely smooth, without any cracks or missing sections.
How much does a Toyota Camry timing chain replacement cost?
Timing chain tensioner replacement for a Toyota Camry typically costs between $658 and $790. While materials are priced between $161 and $163, labor costs are predicted to range between $497 and $627. Taxes and other fees are not included in this range, nor are your particular model year or geographic area taken into account.
What is the cost of changing a timing chain?
Being proactive is a good thing because an engine that has a broken timing chain could suffer significant damage.
Timing chain replacement might cost between $600 and $800 to do it yourself or $1,600 to $1,800 to have a technician do it. Due to how difficult it is to replace this element, the price is exorbitant.
The parts for a DIY timing chain replacement will run you about $650. But this is a job that’s best left to mechanics with a lot of experience.
Fortunately, timing chains are built to endure the lifespan of the vehicle, unlike rubber timing belts, thus it is rare that you will need to have it changed. Watch out for these signs if you think your timing chain may be broken:
- While idling, the engine shakes or vibrates
- Noisy timing chain
- Starting the car is challenging.
- The check engine light is on.
- Engine has poor performance or is misfiring
Bring your car to a repair as soon as you can if any of these symptoms persist. Quickly addressing the problem will stop further harm to your car.
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