Want a Toyota or Honda?

[Youare]

Just about a month ago our 1999 Buick Lesabre with 83K started making a grinding noise under the hood. Upon investigation I discovered it was the air conditioning compressor clutch. The dealer told me I had a 50/ 50 chance that a new clutch in an old housing would work for $350.00. A new compressor and clutch was going to run about $950.00 installed.

We decided it maybe time to investigate a more fuel efficient car, the Buick averaged 20 MPG. A little claening of the air conditioning clutch and a squirt of WD-40 made the grinding noise a lot less. So off we went to the Toyota dealership. They offered me $1,000.00 more for my car than I expected and discounted the new car a reasonable amount plus a decent finance rate. We purchased a 2005 Corolla that gives us 42 MPG.

This all took place just about a week before the gas prices went crazy. I am glad that things happened when they did another 6 months and bigger cars may be hard to sell.

Randy

 

[Dargo]

You see, there you are, Youare. Gees, does that not sound right. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[gsxr1100]

And wherever you go, there you are….. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[sneaky_pete]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I was under the impression Toyota had always used chains, as I know several models had them dating back to the 80's and before. I punched Toyota Timing Chain into google and got several pages of timing chain references going back many, many years, but I did also find refernce to belts in some Camry's. So Tom, you were right, your Camry must have a belt.)</font>

Toyota has made a lot of engines over the years, and has used chains, belts, and timing gears on different models. I have two sitting in my garage right now; one has a belt (2002 model) and one has gears (1991 model).

 

[gsxr1100]

Yup, but it seems to me they (chains or gears) are only in SUV, truck, 4 bangers or older cars.

Belts have their advantages. They're cheaper, quieter, lighter, require no lubrication and easier to replace. They're also better able to handle the longer run necessary for overhead- cam engines. With overhead-cam engines, it has to be 3 or 4 feet long, and for that kind of length, a belt is not only a lot quieter, but more reliable, too. When you use a chain for that kind of length, it's more likely to loosen up, slap around and eventually break. For me I would take a belt over a chain or gear anyday. A belt is cheaper then the damage caused by a belt or chain.

For longevity chains are better but do you want to here it etc?


Model Year Engine Belt/Chain/Gear
4Runner 1990-2000 4 Cylinder Chain
1990-2002 V6 Belt
2003 V6 Chain
2003 V8 Belt
Avalon 1995-2003 V6 Belt
Camry 1990-2001 All Belt
2002-2003 4 Cylinder Chain
2002-2003 V6 Belt
Celica 1990-1999 4 Cylinder Belt
2000-2003 4 Cylinder Chain
Corolla 1990-1997 4 Cylinder Belt
1998-2003 4 Cylinder Chain
Cressida 1990-1992 L6 Belt
Echo 2000-2003 4 Cylinder Chain
Highlander 2001-2003 4 Cylinder Chain
2001-2003 V6 Belt
Land Cruiser 1990-1992 L6 Gear
1993-1997 L6 Chain
1998-2003 V8 Belt
MR2 1990-1995 4 Cylinder Belt
MR2 Spyder 2000-2003 4 Cylinder Chain
Matrix 2003 4 Cylinder Chain
Paseo 1992-1997 4 Cylinder Belt
Prius 2001-2003 4 Cylinder Chain
RAV4 1996-2000 4 Cylinder Belt
2001-2003 4 Cylinder Chain
Sequoia 2001-2003 V8 Belt
Sienna 1998-2004 V6 Belt
Solara 1999-2001 4 Cylinder Belt
2002-2003 4 Cylinder Chain
1999-2003 V6 Belt
Supra 1990-1998 L6 Belt
T100 1993-1998 4 Cylinder Chain
1993-1998 V6 Belt
Tacoma 1995-2003 4 Cylinder Chain
1995-2003 V6 Belt
Tercel 1990-1998 4 Cylinder Belt
Truck 1990-1995 4 Cylinder Chain
1990-1995 V6 Belt
Tundra 2000-2003 V6 Belt
2000-2003 V8 Belt

 

[Alan L.]

I'm always a day late and a dollar short.

 

[sneaky_pete]

I agree with you completely on all counts Mike, I was just pointing out some obvious exceptions to the guy who said all Toyota's had chains. Both of my currently-owned examples would be considered SUV's, and both were on your list. I've also previously owned more than one Toyota with a timing chain.

 

[gsxr1100]

/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

It seems the higher end (or cheaper higher end cars use belts). I did not look at all close, but I think belts are all over chains etc.

I know my last time belt was $399...seemed cheap since I am not doing that. Then again, an oem Lexus/Toyota belt is $40.

Just cleaned the TB & the Iacv and about 1-month ago.. Very dirty. Very trouble free car....very very quiet and nothing ever goes wrong...

I will say one thing, after having a toyo car, I can't and will never go back to a Ford, GM etc.

 

[8561]

"not correct here. Chains are you kidding me. in a Toyota car. They are belts since I have a Lexus."




Given the list you posted later, apparantly I wasn't kidding about chains in a Toyota car. In fact, I would wager that if the totals sold for a given year of SUV's, pickups and "4 bangers" were added up, the majority of Toyotas sold in a given model year have timing chains. Of course, I've never pretended to be an expert on the subject, since I don't own a Lexus. <font color="black"> </font>

 

[8561]

Dargo - I never took your post as sarcastic, but I appreciate the consideration. The sarcastic posts of limited value are usually pretty easy to spot. The article I posted was not intended to be my version of the facts, nor did I think the article was completely factual, I was simply trying to back up my earlier assertion and experience that the top end of a Honda motor back 10 or so years ago could be victimized by by a broken timing belt. I would think the Honda tech you spoke with must be correct that this is no longer the case as I'm sure the design has been revised in that period of time.