The Toyota MZFE engine is either a 3. or 3.3 liter transversely mounted, timing belt driven, 24 valve dual single overhead cam aluminum V6 design. This engine has become developed for use within many Toyota vehicles from 1994 to 2003. Included in this are the LexusES300 and RX300, and the Toyota Camry, Avalon and Solara. The 3.3 liter version was introduced since the 3MZFE. Most engine components in the 1MZFE are interchangeable with the 3MZFE including the timing belt, tensioner pulley and guide pulley. However, the 3MZFE has a different automatic belt tensioner configuration which happens to be not covered in this article. Up until the roll-out of VVTI (Variable Valve Timing) technology, the engine’s valve train were Non-Interference. This means that damage to either the valves or pistons will not occur if the timing belt would brake during vehicle operation. The outlined timing belt replacement instructions can therefore be employed on belts that have broken on non VVTI engines. Positioning the Camshaft Sprockets and the Crankshaft Pulley alignment marks to Top-Dead-Center (TDC) is all that is needed before the new belt is installed. A compression leakage test can be carried out after belt installation to confirm the integrity of the valves.
Toyota recommends belt replacement at or over 90,000 miles. In the MZFE engines that were handled, all cars under 200,000 miles had good operating water pumps. Over 150,000 miles, some of the guide and tensioner pulleys were indicating signs of needed and wear replacement.
Allocate 3 or more hours for just a belt replacement. If any one of these pulleys would move after belt removal and during new belt installation., paint marks on the belt where it meets the crankshaft and camshaft pulleys will eliminate a lot of grief
