Hello, looking for opinions on timing belt replacement. Dealer says its vital on my 97 Avalon with 91000 plus miles. I've driven the car since new and had serviced regularly. Is this replacement really necessary, or is the dealer trying to drum up business? All opinions welcomed.

99.9% Of the toyota belts have a 63-000 mile service interval. If it snaps, you will destroy the engine pretty much instantly, unless you are lucky and it is "non interference"!

A lot of people do it earlier for safety. My AW11 has had three belts and its on 102-000!

Considering how cheap the parts are, it's a false economy to skip the interval. My best advice is to learn how to change it yourself, dealers can rack up hours without even trying. It really doesn't take that long either!

£150-200 equivalent at a decent garage. £300-400 equivalent at a main dealers [$840? not sure on the currency rates]

Job is "quoted" [by toyota] at being 2.5 hours long

my 2000 avalon witch i have been having since new has never seen new timming belt there isno cracks or dry rot the car has 180000miles and clean drivesthe same way it drove 8 years ago

those timing belts are 90,000 mile belts. Toyota does recommend replaceing them every 90k. I have seen them last well over 90k. Not replacing it is just a chance to take. But if it does break it SHOULDN'T do that much damage. They are not interferance engines. Either way you will pay to have one put on, it just depends on what else will have to be replaced if it breaks. It is also a great oppitunity to check your water pump, I'm sure it will need replacing as well.

Hey guys, I am new to this forum, i visit ih8mud(a landcruiser site) and jeepforum regularly as i have both a jeep and landcruiser. I just recently purchased an 06 Avalon with 68K miles, I was looking for the timing replacement interval in the service manual and it does not have anything about changing the timing on the 06. I called a toyota dealership and found out that it is 90K service interval. It is just kind of odd that the manual does not mention changing the belt. Anyway, is the 06 avalon engine interference or non-interference when it comes to timing?

Thanks,

Craig

It is a non-interference engine and should not damage anything if the belt goes.

If you engine is vvt-i then it is an interference engine and damage will occur. I believe the 06 uses a timing chain instead of a belt.