Factory recommended maintenance

[Mudd]

What's the general consensus on maintenance on V6 Solaras? I'm looking at used cars, some with around 60-70k on them, and I was wondering about stuff like timing belts and the like. When does all that need to be done? What about other stuff, like tranny service (flush) and the like?

This may be good info for the FAQ too.

[lupous]

this is one of THOSE topics...beware people are going to start talking about that infamous Search fucntion.

try this
http://www.zer0.info/solaraguy/viewtopic.php?t=2742

[lupous]

this is one of THOSE topics...beware people are going to start talking about that infamous Search fucntion.

try this
http://www.zer0.info/solaraguy/viewtopic.php?t=2742

[offthahook]

What's the general consensus on maintenance on V6 Solaras? I'm looking at used cars, some with around 60-70k on them, and I was wondering about stuff like timing belts and the like. When does all that need to be done? What about other stuff, like tranny service (flush) and the like?

This may be good info for the FAQ too.

Excellent question and great FAQ!! I was going to ask that, too. I just bought a 99 SLE V6 with 69K. One owner. I don't have it yet-- it's in Louisiana. $10,700 out the door if ya care... I would say try to find out the history. I called the 4 Toyota dealers in Baton Rouge, but none had a history. The car looks cherry and I would be VERY surprised if it arrives all busted up. Any Toyota dealer can look at their service histories with the last 8 digits/letters of the VIN. It is ONLY for their specific dealership, though and it doesn't mean your "new" vehicle is trashed if the dealer can't find a history for you. If a car has a clean title and looks good and has 70K, chances are it was at least minimally maintained. I know detail can do wonders, but a savvy eye can catch neglect that cleaners can't hide.
I'm going to do the basic stuff when mine gets here-- flush out the AT, check the other fluids, change the oil, check the valve cover, valves adjusted. Timing belt interval is 90K on these (non interference) engines with a recomended water pump change at every other timing belt (prolly about 160K!!). I do not know if Toyota strongly suggests Toyota fluids; I know Honda does and swears other "approved" fluids will damage PS, AT systems. I would def. change oil, AT, antifreeze UNLESS you have proof that it was done recently and RIGHT!!

[MGLax13]

I bought my solara with 61,xxx miles on it and it was sitll the original timing belt. With some negotiating, I got Toyota to change the timing belt, the water pump and some other stuff while they had the engine in peices. It was either that, or they would go down the price it would cost to do all of these. They didn't really want to go down so I had them do the work, then took it to my personal and very trusted mechanic and had him give it a look over, then agreed to the terms and took the car. The belt interval is 90k, but you never know, it's recomended to be changed every 60k-70k miles. They also changed most of the hoses and other belts while they were at it. I would say try to negotiae with the dealer for these things, they might do it, especially if you're all set and ready to buy the car, then you bring this up last minute. They've put in all the work, filled out all the papers and they don't want to lose the sale. Also, go for a certified used Toyota. Comes with alot of new stuff that you would otherwise have to replace soon enough (tires, brake pads, wipers, spark plugs and wires) they also clean the engine. I thought I had a brand new engine it looked so clean. Also got it detailed the day before I picked it up. I may have a good dealer and this might have been out of the ordinary, but it's worth a shot to get this maintainence done before you get the car, save you some $$ and effort.

[offthahook]

I bought my solara with 61,xxx miles on it and it was sitll the original timing belt. With some negotiating, I got Toyota to change the timing belt, the water pump and some other stuff while they had the engine in peices. It was either that, or they would go down the price it would cost to do all of these. They didn't really want to go down so I had them do the work, then took it to my personal and very trusted mechanic and had him give it a look over, then agreed to the terms and took the car. The belt interval is 90k, but you never know, it's recomended to be changed every 60k-70k miles. They also changed most of the hoses and other belts while they were at it. I would say try to negotiae with the dealer for these things, they might do it, especially if you're all set and ready to buy the car, then you bring this up last minute. They've put in all the work, filled out all the papers and they don't want to lose the sale. Also, go for a certified used Toyota. Comes with alot of new stuff that you would otherwise have to replace soon enough (tires, brake pads, wipers, spark plugs and wires) they also clean the engine. I thought I had a brand new engine it looked so clean. Also got it detailed the day before I picked it up. I may have a good dealer and this might have been out of the ordinary, but it's worth a shot to get this maintainence done before you get the car, save you some $$ and effort.

Was the engine in pieces because they were doing Certified type work in service or for some other reason?? That's pretty tight negotiating service in a sale! Nice job. 99's are no longer eligible for cert. through Toyota (mine is at a Chevy dealer anyway-- no way I'd want Mr. Goodwrench working on a Toyota engineered engine) as far as I know. You do pay a little more for certification, but it may be worth it. I'll just get the stuff done, prevention style, and save some $$$$. Rule of thumb is just maintain your car, drive reasonably, and you'll be straight...

[Jackass-Jeff]

I've been trying to get the FAQ thing started, but the owner (Steve) is very busy and didn't have time to make the changes yet =P Soon, hopefully

[HKSV6SLE]

i just changed my timing belt and water pump at 88K

[Yanks0114]

i just changed my timing belt and water pump at 88K

Thats a very good idea. I would have done it sooner (more like 60k) but while you are doing the timing belt, you should do water pump. Its much easier that way

[MGLax13]

Was the engine in pieces because they were doing Certified type work in service or for some other reason?? That's pretty tight negotiating service in a sale! Nice job. 99's are no longer eligible for cert. through Toyota (mine is at a Chevy dealer anyway-- no way I'd want Mr. Goodwrench working on a Toyota engineered engine) as far as I know. You do pay a little more for certification, but it may be worth it. I'll just get the stuff done, prevention style, and save some $$$$. Rule of thumb is just maintain your car, drive reasonably, and you'll be straight...

It wasn't really in "peices" persay, but like they had to remove alot of covers and take out some parts of the engine to do the timing belt. Like Yanks said, it's easier (and more cost effective) to replace the water pump too. Basically, to take apart the engine and put it back together for the timing belt, I was told it was about 4 hours total labor. At like $80 an hour for labor, thats gonna run you almost $400 plus parts. Then you gota do it again when the water pump fails so thats another like $500 total., so you end up paying maybe more than $100 for work that should have only run you about $600 - $700

[HKSV6SLE]

im not sure what the recommended time to change the timing belt, but yeah the water pump should be changed then. i think toyota says around 75k for the belts and pump.

[kubi]

Toyota says 90k, as stated several times already in this post.

[Mudd]

Hmm. It's a non-interference engine? Is that the 4 cyl AND the V6, or just the V6?

Man, if it's non-interference then it's a lot less crucial to do the timing belt than I thought. I assume that any and all tensioners and secondary (balance shaft or oil pump?) belts get swapped out as well as the water pump?

This makes buying a car with 60-70k on it alot easier.

[lupous]

Toyota says 90k, as stated several times already in this post.

please don't point out the obvious...it may hurt some feelings

[offthahook]

Hmm. It's a non-interference engine? Is that the 4 cyl AND the V6, or just the V6?

Man, if it's non-interference then it's a lot less crucial to do the timing belt than I thought. I assume that any and all tensioners and secondary (balance shaft or oil pump?) belts get swapped out as well as the water pump?

This makes buying a car with 60-70k on it alot easier.

I think both are free running. All belts getting replaced is a good idea when doing the timer. I still wouldn't go much past 100K/10 years on a timing belt. They only get more expensive every year and labor goes up, too. Honestly, they rarely fail... but you could be on a busy interstate and it fail on you. Your engine might be saved, but you are stuck. The dude at Toyota told me Toyota hasn't made an interference engine in forever. He may have also said that all Toyota belted engines are non intereference, but chained engines are interference. That last statement may have been a dream though.
I bought my Solara with 70K and have no worries about the belts (for now).