Gen 6 Cam Belt Change

[maks]

HI

I just bought my Toyota Celica and was wandering to change a cam belt :censor: . I am sure all you people know much more about it. If someone can recomend any good garage around London for doing this, as it kind of complicated thing. And what a price range at the moment for this job.

Thanks

[Fizz]

Dont live in london but firstly how many miles has the car got? If its above 60/70 then i would get it done.

Secondly i would say it shouldnt cost more than about £100.. inc the belt i would have thought but then London prices i presume would be a lot more expensive.

[Jamesb4uk]

I had mine done as soon as i bought it - with 100kms on the clock. didn't know if it had been done so fist thing i did.

Give a couple of garages round your area a call & see what quotes you get.

I know a couple in Kent if your South london & don't mind travelling

J

[maks]

Well it's done about 100000 miles, but previously it was change at 57000. So I am kind of wondering!

With a pleasure i would go outside the london to do this job, as it quiet pricy in here. Combine day out with a good thing, just not to far away

[celsteve]

HI nice choice of car

Well Toyota say to change it every 60k or 5 years, whichever comes first.

So it depends on the year it was done as to whether it needs it or not really. The genuine Toyota belts seem to be pretty good, mine was left much longer time-wise than supposed to, if it seems in good shape then it's up to you if you want to wait to clock up a few more miles first.

However, if you have the cash and don't mind not having her for a few hours then better safe than sorry! Peace of mind and all that :)

[edamduke]

Mine had over 75000 miles and looked new with no signs of wear or damage. When I was getting quotes (SE London) they were all around the £200 mark so I did it myself for the belt price of £42. Good luck with whatever you do, but in my opinion you are in no rush.

[maks]

Well my toyota is 96, so kind of needed allready

It seems a bit scary to change by yourself, is it so easy? do you need any special tools, or anything, did you do this just in front of your house?

[edamduke]

I wouldn't say it was easy but it did teach me more about my car and save loads of money. I just did it on my drive. Took 2 part days and didn't need any specialist tools as such. Decent spanners, trolley jack and a 3 foot breaker bar did it. I also made a very simple pulley puller out of a piece of Alluminium and a couple of nuts and bolts.

There is plenty of help and advice on here if you decide to go down that route.

[dawesy]

if you dont mind a trip to nottingham theres ian at TR&D he specialises in toyota's and celica's in particular.

he is located just off jct 26 M1 and phone number is 0115 9680 666

[MIP]

The second cambelt change you should do the waterpump (and possibly tensioner) at the same time. If the waterpump seizes it'll shred the cambelt, so change it, get the coolant flushed and make sure its filled up with toyota forlife.