Hi !
I recently bought a 1996 Camry (my first ever Toyota). The man said it had a 4 cylinder engine. Anyway, I am planning on replacing the timing belt, or having it done. I was told the water pump is also in the area of the timing belt. My car has 128,000 miles on it, should the water pump be replaced? How long do they last? How much are they $$??

Thanks alot (in advance)

IF I were you, I would wait until 180k to replace the timing belt. You are at the point that it has probably already been replaced at the recommended 90k interval.

It is a good idea to replace the water pump at the time you replace the timing belt. They can cause problems immediately after you change the belt (since they are run off the timing belt) and are easily accessible when the belt covers and belt are off.

The worst thing that can happen is that the belt will break and leave you stranded. You will need a tow to get it fixed. If you drive in areas where you can't afford to be stranded, then maybe replacing it is for the better.

The cost of maintenance can be estimated at the following site:

http://www.edmunds.com/maintenance/MaintenanceServlet?tid=edmunds.a.landing.feature.. 4.*

Just find your car and find the results for the 90k maintanence interval.

Thanks so much Brian, that helped me out!

You're welcome

I see a problem here. You don't know that the timing belt was replaced at 90,000 miles. It may well be the original belt. If it is, you're on borrowed time if you don't replace it.

Like I said: "The worst thing that can happen is that the belt will break and leave you stranded. You will need a tow to get it fixed. If you drive in areas where you can't afford to be stranded, then maybe replacing it is for the better."

Just change when you get the chance, there is no reason to drive any car without knowing it has had maintienence done on it. Change all the belts including the water, just to make sure. Better safe than sorry right?

Safe and expensive is only an alternative to chancy and free. It is up to her to make the decision once she has the data and some opinions in hand.

Christina: I own a 96' Camry myself and having it for almost 5 yrs. It's a great car and very economical in gas - with the increase on gas price right now...From my personal experience and tips I got from auto mechanics - it is strongly recommended that you should change the water pump and all belts when you're changing the TIMING Belt. The pump doesn't cost much to replace - BUT the labor will cost you, that's why changing the water pump at the same time with the Timing belt would be wise. The price range for a timing belt job is between $300-$400 (depending if you're going to change all of the other belts). I do most of the tune-ups or repairs on my car myself - I am kind of mechanical incline (bought a repair manual and read it and did the repair(s)). I recommend that if you have any friends that is an auto mechanic or has skills in working on cars - have that person change your timing belt, belts and water pump. I purchase parts for my cars at this website: www.autodoctorparts.com. Good Luck with your first Toyota. Just remember...keep it well maintained - it might last you 200K+ mi.

Tim

Why http://www.autodoctorparts.com/ ?

Are they inexpensive or what?

http://www.advanceautoparts.com/ is where I go to check prices and availability. They have local stores for me in MD and FL.

I would go ahead and tell Christina K. to replace the works. She's willing to do it, and doesn't want to get stuck out on the road someplace. Getting stuck on the road is ok for me,

Brian,

They are not expensive at all on most of the parts. I do my price comparison with other websites and found that this one has very competitive prices. Other sites that I look into:

www.rockauto.com; www.partsbin.com

You can go Yahoo.com and type in discount auto parts and search. It will give you many websites to check out.

OK, thanks alot. :)