Proactive Maintenance of a 98 Camry

My previous car was a used 92 Camry. Other than check air, change oil,
and change muffler when it became noisy, I did not do any proactive
maintenance. As a result a few things failed on me at most inconvenient
moments: radiator, water pump (which required changing timing belt
too), battery. As I often found myself in emergency sits, I wasn't
always able to plan where work should be done, I had to take what I
could get.

I just bought a 98 Camry with 80K miles on it. It is in great shape and
I want to keep it for at least five years, maybe until 150K. I want to
avoid my previous mistake and be proactive about maintenance, but also
not throw away any good parts that would last until 150K.

The previous owner just got a new battery. Tires are Regata 2 with 35K
miles. Because of a flat I have had them evaluated repeatedly and they
seem good for 1-2 years.

How should I approach the maintenance of this car? What should be
done and when?

Secondly, where should such work be done? I am so happy to be able tp
plan that, instead of being limited by who is near and who is open
during a holiday weekend!

Are big national chains like Sears, Pep Boys, WalMart etc any good?
CarX, Midas, Firestone? (Recommendations for places local to Chicago
are also welcome.)

I stopped at a local garage in an area where I had to kill time today.
He suggested (1) changing belts (incl timing) and (2) getting a
tune-up, even if nothing seems wrong. Is that good advice?

He was unsure about water pump: it would be $80 if done with timing
belt but a lot more if it had to be done on its own, but nothing is
wrong and it could possibly last.

Anyway, dear experts, I would be most grateful for your guidance on how
to keep this car perfectly maintained. :-)

On Sat, 25 Jun 2005 04:12:28 GMT, Ajanta > wrote:

>
>How should I approach the maintenance of this car? What should be
>done and when?

Look in your owners manual and follow the severe service maintenance
schedule. If there are things you are behind on or don't know to have
been completed then go ahead and catch them up.
>
>Secondly, where should such work be done? I am so happy to be able tp
>plan that, instead of being limited by who is near and who is open
>during a holiday weekend!
>
>Are big national chains like Sears, Pep Boys, WalMart etc any good?
>CarX, Midas, Firestone? (Recommendations for places local to Chicago
>are also welcome.)

I avoid the above mentioned places at all costs. Some of them can be
good but most are not and you never know which kind you are getting.
Ask friends and co-workers for reccomendations on an independant shop
that is reliable and in your area.
>
>I stopped at a local garage in an area where I had to kill time today.
>He suggested (1) changing belts (incl timing) and (2) getting a
>tune-up, even if nothing seems wrong. Is that good advice?
>
>He was unsure about water pump: it would be $80 if done with timing
>belt but a lot more if it had to be done on its own, but nothing is
>wrong and it could possibly last.

The fact that he was unsure about the water pump is a little troubling
to me. Replacing the water pump with the timing belt on these cars is
a very good idea as you have to remove it to get to the belt anyway
and when it fails in the future (not if) it can take out the brand new
belt. Gates web site shows your belt needing to be changed at 90k
miles.

When a timing belt breaks on your engine the valves can hit the
pistons. When this happens either the valves or the piston breaks....
either way it will cost you a small fortune so don't mess around with
it. Check out
http://www.gates.com/brochure.cfm?br...cation_id=3487
for a pretty good explanation and a couple of illustrations that show
what happens.

>
>Anyway, dear experts, I would be most grateful for your guidance on how
>to keep this car perfectly maintained. :-)

I don't really think you can keep any car perfectly maintained. It
sounds like you have a good plan already though and should be able
avoid many unexpected problems. The toughest part is finding someone
who is good and that you can trust to work on the car.

Consider getting a AAA membership if you don't have one already. It
is very nice to have one number to call for help anywhere in the
country should the car leave you stranded.

Steve B.

Steve B. > wrote:

: Replacing the water pump with the timing belt on these cars is
: a very good idea as you have to remove it to get to the belt anyway
: and when it fails in the future (not if) it can take out the brand new
: belt. Gates web site shows your belt needing to be changed at 90k
: miles.

I think the cost benefit analysis is quite clear: If I don't change the
water pump and it doesn't break while I own my car, I save $100
approx; if it breaks, I lose at least $250 (one timing belt job, which
may have to be repeated anyway), and maybe more if there is other
serious damage.

So I guess I will do them both. However, the car has only 80K miles,
I think I can wait 1-2 years, or at least I spot some great sale
somewhere on this job. :-)

Thank you for the rest of your most helpful advice as well.

: Consider getting a AAA membership if you don't have one already.

Thanks. I have been wondering which national club would offer
the best value and was thinking of asking that question in another
thread.

On Sat, 25 Jun 2005 05:54:07 GMT, Ajanta > wrote:

>Steve B. > wrote:
>
>: Replacing the water pump with the timing belt on these cars is
>: a very good idea as you have to remove it to get to the belt anyway
>: and when it fails in the future (not if) it can take out the brand new
>: belt. Gates web site shows your belt needing to be changed at 90k
>: miles.
>
>I think the cost benefit analysis is quite clear: If I don't change the
>water pump and it doesn't break while I own my car, I save $100
>approx; if it breaks, I lose at least $250 (one timing belt job, which
>may have to be repeated anyway), and maybe more if there is other
>serious damage.

Where are you getting those prices? An accord costs almost $1000 to
have the timing belt and water pump done. I would assume a Toyota is
similar.

However, I have had 3 Hondas with more than 130,000 miles, none of
which showed any indication of failure for going past the 90,000 mile
mark where it should have been replaced. I am almost convinced that
timing belt replacement is, as CH says, snake oil. Besides, the quote
to do the work before and after a failure is not that different.

DTJ > wrote:

: Where are you getting those prices? An accord costs almost $1000 to
: have the timing belt and water pump done. I would assume a Toyota is
: similar.

I have no experience with Hondas, but 1000 seems too much for a Camry.
For timing belt alone I have seen *dealer* ads around 200 (granted
those are promotions).

: However, I have had 3 Hondas with more than 130,000 miles, none of
: which showed any indication of failure for going past the 90,000 mile
: mark where it should have been replaced. I am almost convinced that
: timing belt replacement is, as CH says, snake oil. Besides, the quote
: to do the work before and after a failure is not that different.

There are two arguments against this. First, even if not much more
expensive, it will be much more inconvenient if done in an emergency.
If it breaks on the road, you would miss whatever you were driving to,
and could also be far away from any Toyota dealer or even a decent
garage.

Second, I know that if they say 90,000 it is not going to break at
91,000. If I want to sell my car at 100,000 or even 110,000 I might
chance it. But what if I plan to keep it until 150,000 as OP said? Or
even longer. After a point, I won't have piece of mind. And if I change
it later, I'd be spending the money anyway.

BTW on my Camry I changed it at 120,000 but I did change it, because of
accululating anxiety. I drive alone, or with kids, during nights,
through less populated areas, etc. I could have changed it earlier for
much less anxiety and no more money.

"DTJ" > wrote in message
...
> On Sat, 25 Jun 2005 05:54:07 GMT, Ajanta > wrote:
>
>>Steve B. > wrote:
>>
>>: Replacing the water pump with the timing belt on these cars is
>>: a very good idea as you have to remove it to get to the belt anyway
>>: and when it fails in the future (not if) it can take out the brand new
>>: belt. Gates web site shows your belt needing to be changed at 90k
>>: miles.
>>
>>I think the cost benefit analysis is quite clear: If I don't change the
>>water pump and it doesn't break while I own my car, I save $100
>>approx; if it breaks, I lose at least $250 (one timing belt job, which
>>may have to be repeated anyway), and maybe more if there is other
>>serious damage.
>
> Where are you getting those prices? An accord costs almost $1000 to
> have the timing belt and water pump done. I would assume a Toyota is
> similar.
>
> However, I have had 3 Hondas with more than 130,000 miles, none of
> which showed any indication of failure for going past the 90,000 mile
> mark where it should have been replaced. I am almost convinced that
> timing belt replacement is, as CH says, snake oil. Besides, the quote
> to do the work before and after a failure is not that different.

Here in the Chicago suburbs, the local dealer charges around $200 for a
timing belt on a Camry and at $100 to $150 additional for a water pump.
Having to pay $1000 for a timing belt would make me think seriously about
getting another model!

On an interference engine, if the timing belt fails, the pistons can hit the
valves, causing extensive damage. People often find this hard to believe,
but the folks who make the cars probably know more about the car and the
cost benefits of performing periodic maintenance than most owners. Whether
the cost to replace the timing belt is $200 for a Camry or $1,000 for the
Accord, it is cheaper to change the timing belt before it breaks than
letting it break and having to tow for an unscheduled repair or worse, tear
down the engine for major repairs.
--
Ray O
correct the return address punctuation to reply

On Sun, 26 Jun 2005 00:34:28 -0500, "Ray O"
> wrote:

>valves, causing extensive damage. People often find this hard to believe,
>but the folks who make the cars probably know more about the car and the
>cost benefits of performing periodic maintenance than most owners. Whether
>the cost to replace the timing belt is $200 for a Camry or $1,000 for the
>Accord, it is cheaper to change the timing belt before it breaks than
>letting it break and having to tow for an unscheduled repair or worse, tear
>down the engine for major repairs.

According to every Honda mechanic I have asked, and that is more than
a couple, a timing belt failure does not lead to any significant
damage. Every time they recommend a change, I ask them, and they look
down, admit they are just trying to make more money, and walk away
chastened for being caught at it.

DTJ wrote:

> Where are you getting those prices? An accord costs almost $1000 to
> have the timing belt and water pump done. I would assume a Toyota is
> similar.
>
It should not cost $1000 to change the t-belt and water pump on an Accord.
I have a '93 Accord, and it cost only $350 to get it done at a private
mechanic who specializes in Hondas.


> However, I have had 3 Hondas with more than 130,000 miles, none of
> which showed any indication of failure for going past the 90,000 mile
> mark where it should have been replaced. I am almost convinced that
> timing belt replacement is, as CH says, snake oil. Besides, the quote
> to do the work before and after a failure is not that different.

I have heard of many instances of the belt failing past the interval, but
very few within the interval.

S.S. wrote:
> DTJ wrote:
>
> > Where are you getting those prices? An accord costs almost $1000 to
> > have the timing belt and water pump done. I would assume a Toyota is
> > similar.
> >
> It should not cost $1000 to change the t-belt and water pump on an Accord.
> I have a '93 Accord, and it cost only $350 to get it done at a private
> mechanic who specializes in Hondas.
>

ditto -- paid about 350 for a new tbelt and water pump from my great
indie mechanic. top notch work -- keeps my cars running great, this
guy does, and very reasonable prices. even lets me bring my own parts
in if I want.

Even though he races Ford Mustangs -- don't see many hondas and toyotas
.... or maybe he's so good _because_ he races Fords?

>
> > However, I have had 3 Hondas with more than 130,000 miles, none of
> > which showed any indication of failure for going past the 90,000 mile
> > mark where it should have been replaced. I am almost convinced that
> > timing belt replacement is, as CH says, snake oil. Besides, the quote
> > to do the work before and after a failure is not that different.

its worth it for the peace of mind and a new water pump ta boot

>
> I have heard of many instances of the belt failing past the interval, but
> very few within the interval.

On Sun, 26 Jun 2005 09:27:36 -0400, "S.S." > wrote:

>DTJ wrote:
>
>> Where are you getting those prices? An accord costs almost $1000 to
>> have the timing belt and water pump done. I would assume a Toyota is
>> similar.
>>
>It should not cost $1000 to change the t-belt and water pump on an Accord.
>I have a '93 Accord, and it cost only $350 to get it done at a private
>mechanic who specializes in Hondas.

Private mechanic...

>> However, I have had 3 Hondas with more than 130,000 miles, none of
>> which showed any indication of failure for going past the 90,000 mile
>> mark where it should have been replaced. I am almost convinced that
>> timing belt replacement is, as CH says, snake oil. Besides, the quote
>> to do the work before and after a failure is not that different.
>
>I have heard of many instances of the belt failing past the interval, but
>very few within the interval.

I have never heard of one failing. Other than the typical urban
legend you hear on the Internet.