1997 Camry Timing Belt question

How do you change a timing belt on a 1997 Toyota Camry and just where is it located?
Is this something I can do myself?
Thank you,
flavorist

 

Four cylinder or six, Flavo? The four is easier to do, but even that would be "intermediate-DIY" work. Not to sound condescending, but if you have to ask where it is, probably going to need some help.

Here's the procedure:

http://www.autozone.com/addVehicleId...00c15280092505

 

2.2 ltr. 4 cylinder
Thank you!
I guess I'll stick to flavor development. I looked at the web-site you sent me and there's no way I can change this myself. One more question, can I take it to a Car-x or do I need to have the dealer change it? If you can, please let me know who would be able to replace this for me, Car-X, Midas, Tuffy or is there another chain that can replace it?
Thank you again!

 

I would find a good small independent, i.e. non-chain. This is plain-jane vanilla basic auto repair; any competent mechanic can do it. As I recall it's about a 3 hr job by the book. You'll want to consider replacing the water pump at the same time as it is timing belt driven and involves very little extra labor time once the old belt is removed. There is the extra expense of the new water pump, of course. Depending on the labor rate in your area (and where the parts are purchased; hint - save your money and buy a good quality belt, but not a Toyota belt; Gates makes very good ones) you are probably looking at about $400 or perhaps $500 if the water pump is included.

I forgot to ask how many miles on it; I'm guessing about 140,000? Did the belt break or is this preventive maintenance?

 

Like said before change the water pump as well it might be ok now but you dont want to replace it 5000 miles after your timing belt job. I would use a OEM pump from Toyota but thats me.

 

It has 180,000 miles and I'm not sure if it's ever been replaced. There's a zoom/squeel sound coming from the engine area when I really get on the gas and I'm guessing this is the timing belt. It could be a vacuum leak, maybe? There's really no way of telling if it's the timing belt, in other words, there's no check that can be done to see if it's the timing belt going out? I bought the car with 140,000 miles in Feb. 2008 and I drive 150 miles a day round trip for work Monday-Friday and drive another 800 miles every weekend to take care of my 87 year old Mother. Oregon, IL. to Hoffman Estates, IL. 5 days a week then to Cincinnati, OH and back to Oregon, IL. on the weekends.
Thank you!

 

Zoom/squeel? Hmmmm. Let's see what everyone chimes in on that. Although it's possible it's original, maybe more likely been replaced once. At any rate, may be time to change it out; ditto the water pump which could also be making squeeling if the bearing is going. Same applies to any of the other accessories - alternator, power steering pump, ac compressor in addition to vacuum leak you already mentioned. Might need some good detective work by a mechanic with a good ear.

My wife's previous Camry ('95) was still running strong at 175,000 when we traded up, so unless the rest of the car is worn out it probably still has a lot of life in it.

Good thing it's the four cylinder with the miles you are driving, pretty good on gas. You get about 32 mpg on the highway?

 

There is a Belt tensioner pulley for the T-Belt, that can make a Ruckus before it fails. With the mileage on the vehicle, "If you dont know if it was done"...Just do it..If only for peace of mind.

Zoom ...Squeel....? Check the external belts first. P/S , A/C.....With the warm weather here, did this start when using the Air Conditioning?

 

The external belts are okay. If I rev it up in park it doesn't make the sound, only when I get on the gas while I'm driving. I'm going to have the timing belt replaced along with the water pump, if it still make this squeel sound, I'll have to see if it's a vacuum leak. To me, after hearing your quote about the belt tensioner pulley, I bet that's what it is. It doesn't make the sound while the AC is on or off unless I get on the gas. Thank you for your help!

 

Yes, I get right about 32 mpg, sometimes if I have a tail wind, 37-40 mpg. I also have a 1998 Camry with 200,000 miles I bought new for my Mom in 1998, no troubles with this one. Thank you for your help! I'm going to have the timing belt and the water pump replaced as soon as get a little money saved. Thank you again, I love this web-site! When you traded up, what did you buy?

 

I just talked to someone who replaces timing belts, they said if it breaks on this car it won't cause any damage to the engine because it's on the outside. Is this true? Can I drive it until it breaks and fix it at that time?

 

Since the experts are eating dinner, let me explain a bit. Inside or outside, thats not what matters.

Not sure if this is a non-interference engine or not, but thats what your mech is saying. If the belt breaks on a non-interference engine, it means the valves won't hit the pistons as the car comes to a stop (which it will, at the most inopportune time, like as yer merging in the freeway or trying to get to work on time). If this is an interference engine, your $300 job just became $2000 or more, to replace bent valves, broken pistons, and damaged componants.

Even if its a non-interference engine it may cause some damage to the engine compartment if it is only covered by a plastic cover.

 

Yes it is true the engine you have is not a self destruction type. But do you really want it to break? It will fail and leave you stuck when you are out and about.
Think if it breaks during a time when you might have a doctors app or worse miles from anyplace. Or like said you trying to pass someone or cross a busy road. You see if it breaks it could get real ugly fast.
These things never break in front of a repair shop or your house.

 

I'll get it replaced as soon as I can. You're right, these things in life can be a hazard to others, I want to be responsible for my actions, I will get it fixed!
Thank you!

 

I will have it replaced along with the water pump and not just think of myself here. I don't want to be the one who is not responsible enough and be the cause an accident and injure someone else.
Thank you!

 

I don't want to be the cause of an accident as I was raised to be responsible for my actions. I'm getting it replaced along with the water pump.
Thank you!

 

Good advice from everybody, concur that your four cylinder Camry is not a "valve-bender".

Our current Camry that we traded up to is an '01. Got it Christmas time of '04. Had less than 30,000 miles on it and stole it for $9000. Helps to do towing for guys with dealer's licences.

I'm not totally convinced the timing belt/water pump is the root of your zoom/squeel, but it's still good preventive maintenance and make sure they check the tensioner assembly that Unclediezel referred to.

 

Yes, I have the kit ordered to replace the tensioner assembly. They're going to change everything out. The 2001 Camry is really nice! My friend has one. You really did get a great buy on this one! They're selling for around $10,000.00 today! I was reading a thread about oil in a Corola, you really know a lot about cars! I wish we had a radio call in show on Saturday's where there's Q&A's. Do you know of any online I can tap into on Saturday's. Cincinnati has one, but they lost Steve Overbeck and the new man doesn't know nearly as much as Steve did. I live in northern Illinois now, but have lived all over the USA and haven't heard of a good auto radio Q&A program.
Thanks again Tow Guy!

 

Been driving and keeping my own Toys running for about 30 years, so they're probably my most knowledgeable make, but most of the other regular contributors know way more than me across the board. Glad you like us here.

Here's a Saturday on-line:

http://www.carclinicnetwork.com/carcliniclive.htm

They're also on the radio if you can find them.

And here's a list of stations you can get Car Talk on [aka Click & Clack]:

http://www.cartalk.com/ct/carriagesR...state&state=IL