Got 1998 Camry With 230,000 Miles for $900--Replace Timing Belt? (auto, Japanese, brake)
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As I posted earlier, yesterday I got a 1998 Toyota Camry 2.2L 4 cylinder engine and 4-speed automatic with 230,000 miles for $900. Everyone around here is telling me I got quite a good deal (especially since everything works--A/C, heat, cruise, windows, locks, trunk release, radio, there are not even any rips in the driver's leather seats).
Trying to make the most of what I've got, I'm pondering the advice of a mechanic who suggested changing the timing belt on the engine. I am thinking this would be a good thing to do for "breakdown proofing" the car, that is, preventing it from breaking down out of nowhere due to a broken timing belt happening unexpectedly. I'm especially considering this because we tend to go on this 6 hour trip every year on vacation, and I figure that if I'm going to use this car for that vs just as a "daily work driver" car then I should do this.
Is this sound advice? Is there the possibility that the mechanic could make things worse if they don't do it correctly? Are there things I can look for to see how much "mileage" is on it right now? (The previous owner isn't sure if he had changed the belt, he's not the most knowledgeable car person, although it appears he took good care of it.) Granted, this is apparently one of those engine, a non-interferance engine, where a broken timing belt isn't likely to ruin the engine (thus you're tempted to simply leave things alone), but of course you would be stranded immediately. How much would this repair likely cost (that is, doing it NOW, not doing it when it breaks)?
Toyota engines with a belt are generally non-interference, but it would likely break in the middle of your journey on a hot day in the middle of nowhere, not around the corner from home. It would be a couple of hundred dollars, but I do not think that it is something easily messed up by a mechanic, just find a good independent Japanese auto specialist, and you won't have a problem. It's a routine change and there are millions of the 2.2L on the road. It would be worth the expense in terms of peace of mind, since the breakdown would not occur on your timetable. I'd also get the water pump replaced when the engine is being serviced, since both usually go together, and you would be good to go for many more miles. I know someone with 300k on a 2.2L Camry, and he keeps it going as a commuter car, with nothing more than oil changes, belt changes, etc. It's been very reliable.
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Peace of mind may be worth it. Second the water pump as well while they're at it. If previous owner took it to dealership for work then they should have a record of services performed on the car. Worth a shot.
I have owned 3 old Toyotas with that many miles on them, and never had a timing belt go. One was a Corona (before Corollas), then had a 87 Camry, then a 92 Corolla. Never changed the timing belt, and never had a problem. All I ever did to them was change the oil, get a new battery, fix a brake light switch, really minor stuff.
I'd save that money for the A/C when it dies soon, which happened to me in all of the above. That's about a $1,000 fix, which I never splurged on. I just think you'll spend $1,000 on a timing belt then the A/C will go out next, which will cost another $1,000, if you decide to fix it.
I wouldn't spend the money on the timing belt, anyway, if it was me.
Problem with waiting till it breaks is it could break in a very inconvenient or dangerous place eg high speed urban expressway,middle of a bridge, night time in a very seedy part of the city, making a run to the hospital for an emergency,
Remember when this belt goes it could take hours before a tow truck arrives and if there are no buses or rentacar companies in the area it could prove a very inconvenient situation,For peace of mind i`d get the belt replaced and you may as well do the water pump at the same time, its not a hard job to do and almost any mechanic should be able to do it, depending on the garage the cost should be more than $500 and less than $1000..
If you are feeling adventurous you could follow one of the many DIY videos on the procedure, ,Parts for belt and water pump will run about $125.
At that age and mileage, I would probably do it just for reliability factors. However, those belts rarely break from normal wear. It's oil or mechanical damage from failing rolling components that kills them. At that age and mileage, who knows. Even though it would be a large percentage of your purchase price, for the small amount you paid, you still have plenty of room in the car, so you might as well change it (IMO).
If you're ever bored, read some Toyota or Lexus forums about changing the timing belt (or do you need to change the timing belt). People practically come to blows. You know, if the manual says 90,000 miles, that means you have to change the timing belt before 90,000 because they know a guy whose sister's friend has an uncle Earl who lives next door to the sister in law of a Toyota service advisor, and they said that the car will blow up if you don't. Either that or they know the relative of a person who used to know a guy in the neighborhood who drove his Camry to 1.7 million miles and never changed the timing belt.
Another fun one is "which Toyota products have interference engines". They all do, depending on which thread or website you pick.
Lets hope you arent behind him when that belt lets go.
Not a worry - he'll just coast to the side of the road.
I'm in the don't replace it camp. It's a $900 car with 250K miles on it. If you get 3 months out of it, you'll be ahead of the game.
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