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Car Forum / Toyota / Toyota Cars / December 2007

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Re: 1998 Toyota Avalon timing belt question

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Keith Lee - 17 Dec 2007 14:35 GMT
All:
    Thank you to those of you who answered my initial question. I have almost 73K on this Avalon; but, it was
rarely driven by the previous owner so I am satisfied that I won't need the timing belt and water pump changed
for awhile.
    I was wondering is this 1MZ-FE engine interference or non-interference?  
    Does one know where I can get floor mats fitted for a 1998 toyota avalon? I bought some generic ones
recently; but, I would like to have something covering the left foot pad on my Avalon.
    Thanks again!

Keith
C. E. White - 17 Dec 2007 15:38 GMT
> All:
> Thank you to those of you who answered my initial question. I have
> almost 73K on this Avalon; but, it was
> rarely driven by the previous owner so I am satisfied that I won't
> need the timing belt and water pump changed
> for awhile.

The car is nearly 10 years old and has been driven 73K miles. I
believe the Toyota Service Schedule calls for replacing the timing
belt every 90,000 miles or 72 months. You aren't that far from the 90k
miles, and you are well past the 72 months.

Gates claims the belt should be replaced every 90K miles for normal
service.

> I was wondering is this 1MZ-FE engine interference or
> non-interference?

Gates claims it is an interference engine. I have heard others say it
isn't, but I would not take any chances. Gates does seem inconsistent
on this, since the 1997 3.0L V-6 is not listed as an interfrence
engine, while the 1998 3.0L V-6 is. I suppose there were changes
between 1997 and 1998 that reduced the valve to piston clearance.

> Does one know where I can get floor mats fitted for a 1998 toyota
> avalon? I bought some generic ones
> recently; but, I would like to have something covering the left foot
> pad on my Avalon.

These guys have decent looking mats:
http://www.qualitycarmats.com/floormat3.asp?Make=Toyota&Model=Avalon&Year=1998&I
tems=7082&PT=Floor+Mats&Froogle=Yes&Entry=5


or  http://tinyurl.com/ypaorm

Ed
Keith Lee - 17 Dec 2007 15:41 GMT
Ed:
    Thank you.

Keith
johngdole@hotmail.com - 18 Dec 2007 02:57 GMT
AutoData indentifies the 94-00 1MZ-FE as a "Freewheeling" engine. So
there is NO interference. However, two-stage (?) variable intake valve
timing came in 01, then it became an interference engine.

On Dec 17, 7:38 am, "C. E. White" <cewhi...@removemindspring.com>
wrote:
> Gates claims it is an interference engine. I have heard others say it
> isn't, but I would not take any chances. Gates does seem inconsistent
> on this, since the 1997 3.0L V-6 is not listed as an interfrence
> engine, while the 1998 3.0L V-6 is. I suppose there were changes
> between 1997 and 1998 that reduced the valve to piston clearance.
Ed White - 18 Dec 2007 03:56 GMT
> AutoData indentifies the 94-00 1MZ-FE as a "Freewheeling" engine. So
> there is NO interference. However, two-stage (?) variable intake valve
> timing came in 01, then it became an interference engine.

Gates claims the engine changed from non-interference to interference in
1998. I can't see why this is the case, since the compression ratio and
valve sizes were constant. In fact, if you look in the Toyota parts catalog,
I don't see anything that changed until '03 that would affect whether the
engine was interference or non-interference.

A copy of the Gates Catalog is at
http://www.familycar.com/CarCare/Images/GatesTBR.pdf .

This has come up before,and a number of people who should know have stated
emphatically that the 1998 engine was not an interference engine. I am not
sure why Gates would claim that it is, but it is enough to make me
uncomfortable recommending that an owner ignore the Toyota recommended
replacement intervals.

Ed

> On Dec 17, 7:38 am, "C. E. White" <cewhi...@removemindspring.com>
> wrote:
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>> engine, while the 1998 3.0L V-6 is. I suppose there were changes
>> between 1997 and 1998 that reduced the valve to piston clearance.
Keith Lee - 19 Dec 2007 00:59 GMT
On Mon, 17 Dec 2007 18:57:58 -0800, johngdole wrote:

> AutoData indentifies the 94-00 1MZ-FE as a "Freewheeling" engine. So
> there is NO interference. However, two-stage (?) variable intake valve
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>> engine, while the 1998 3.0L V-6 is. I suppose there were changes
>> between 1997 and 1998 that reduced the valve to piston clearance.

John:
What is the link to this Autodata web site?  Thank you.

Keith
johngdole@hotmail.com - 19 Dec 2007 04:09 GMT
AutoData is a publisher of maintenance information for vehicles.
AllData is another one is the US and owned by Autozone. That's why
Autozone is advertising that if you buy, say, brake pads, they'll
print an instruction sheet to tell you how to install them.  Sooooo
that's why Autozone bought AllData!

These are paid services, BTW. I have a sheet that was included with
the Gates Timing Component Kit. Gates is the world leader in
automobile and industrial belts and hoses. A few years ago they
introduced the world's first commercially successful carbon cord
elastomeric composite belt that's stronger than steel for Harley-
Davidson. Really impressive research capability here.

http://www.autodata.ltd.uk/
http://www.alldatadiy.com/index.html
www.gates.com
http://www.gatesprograms.com/carbon/

>  What is the link to this Autodata web site?  Thank you.
JoeSpareBedroom - 18 Dec 2007 02:09 GMT
> All:
> Thank you to those of you who answered my initial question. I have almost
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
>
> Keith

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Error Error ErrorError Error Error Error ErrorError Error Error Error
ErrorError Error Error Error ErrorError Error Error Error ErrorError Error
Error Error ErrorError Error Error Error ErrorError Error Error Error
ErrorError Error Error

How often the previous owner drove the vehicle is in no way connected with
the absolute number staring at you from the odometer every day. The
maintenance schedule is based on the absolute number, not on your
interpretation of the prior owner's driving habits.
Keith Lee - 18 Dec 2007 15:34 GMT
Joe:
    I will have the timing belt changed soon; but, I don't understand why I should worry too much about it.  
Granted, Toyota states that it should be done every 6 years or 90K. Since the previous owner didn't use the
car that much (after all, 72K in 10 years), I don't see why there should be any hurry about it. I barely use it
myself.  Thanks for the advice.

Keith
JoeSpareBedroom - 18 Dec 2007 15:37 GMT
> Joe:
> I will have the timing belt changed soon; but, I don't understand why I
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>
> Keith

???  Not logical.  Toyota's recommendation is not based on how long it took
to reach the suggested mileage. Friction and wear are not related to whether
you understand them or not.
C. E. White - 18 Dec 2007 15:56 GMT
> Joe:
> I will have the timing belt changed soon; but, I don't understand
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> should be any hurry about it. I barely use it
> myself.  Thanks for the advice.

In this case, it is not the mileage on the engine, it is the age of
the belt. Elastomeric materials deteriorate over time. It has been a
while since anyone in my family has owned an engine with a timing
belt, but we have in the past. Over the years we have had at least
three fail (fortunately on non-interference engines). With a belt that
age, you are subject to developing cracks in the substrate. It is
possible that you can actually have the "teeth" brake loose from the
backing.

Think of it this way - You are probably planning on keeping the car
for at least a few years and another 30k miles. At some point during
your ownership you will likely decide to have the belt replaced. Why
wait? Do it now and you won't have to worry about it. You'll probably
never replace it again, so you aren't really saving anything by
deferring the replacement.

Ed
cmarvel@nethere.com - 29 Dec 2007 17:40 GMT
Ed and everyone:
Thank you again for all your advice. I just set up to have my 1998
Avalon's timing belt and water pump changed this coming Thursday after
the New Years holiday. That way, I will know that everything is AOK
with my almost new car.
Have a nice one and I will keep watching on this group for more
information!

Keith Lee
 
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