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I always thought they were an interference engine. If you google it you get very mixed results. Does anyone know for a fact if the 2002 es300 3.0 is in fact a non-interference engine?
I always thought they were an interference engine. If you google it you get very mixed results. Does anyone know for a fact if the 2002 es300 3.0 is in fact a non-interference engine?
The thing is that it's kinda neither, and kinda both. There are two types of interference in engines - Valve to Piston, and Valve to Valve. Valve to Piston is pretty obvious, if the belt were to snap, the piston would mash the valve; Valve to Valve is not as obvious however, VVT-i engines can actually open both valves at the same time, give the right conditions at just the right time, there might be a situation when neighboring valves would hit each other, causing about the same damage.
In any case, what difference does it really make, be the engine interference or not if you will end up in a considerable pickle down a middle of a road regardless, should the belt snap while you drive, about the same as arguing which engine can make do with olive oil filled into it. Just make sure to stick with manufacturer's maintenance schedule, and you will never need to know it.
I can understand Ekul61's concerns. I have developed a squeal on starting my totally original 2011 ES350 and had it been an interference engine I would be very concerned about driving it another foot. But, since I have been told it is not an interference engine, I feel it is ok to wait a little while to see if the squeal goes away on its own.
I can understand Ekul61's concerns. I have developed a squeal on starting my totally original 2011 ES350 and had it been an interference engine I would be very concerned about driving it another foot. But, since I have been told it is not an interference engine, I feel it is ok to wait a little while to see if the squeal goes away on its own.
Well, there is a lot wrong with the statement above. Starting with the fact that 2GR-FE in your 2011 ES doesn't even have a timing Belt, it has a Chain instead, and it is an interference engine as far as I can tell.
With that, as mentioned before, it's not like the engine interference matters much, as in any case, you will get stuck with a lot of trouble, it can happen in the middle of nowhere, or in an unprotected left, both can end up being lethal.
My 2000 ES recently developed a ticking sound from the timing belt, haven't thought much of it, but still decided to take a look under the timing cover, what I found there was enough to earn me a twitchy eye, below is the picture. For the life of me, I couldn't come up with a solid explanation as to what happened there, but at least it was about time to replace the belt anyway at about 70,000 miles.
Well, there is a lot wrong with the statement above. Starting with the fact that 2GR-FE in your 2011 ES doesn't even have a timing Belt, it has a Chain instead, and it is an interference engine as far as I can tell.
With that, as mentioned before, it's not like the engine interference matters much, as in any case, you will get stuck with a lot of trouble, it can happen in the middle of nowhere, or in an unprotected left, both can end up being lethal.
My 2000 ES recently developed a ticking sound from the timing belt, haven't thought much of it, but still decided to take a look under the timing cover, what I found there was enough to earn me a twitchy eye, below is the picture. For the life of me, I couldn't come up with a solid explanation as to what happened there, but at least it was about time to replace the belt anyway at about 70,000 miles.
Hope this helps and best of luck!
I did put her in the shop Friday and they gave me a 2022 ES300 Hybrid sport to drive since my car will be in over the weekend. This loaner is a beautiful car and a pleasure to drive. I have put about 150 miles on it and it has used about 1/4 tank of gas. It says I am getting 44 miles per gallon, but that is just a read out on the massive screen in front of me. I have not checked all the bells and whistles out, so there is a lot of stuff in this car that I will never know how to use since I have to take it back as soon as mine is repaired, which probably will be tomorrow. Hopefully. I will let you'all know what the car doctor says as soon as I know anything. Thanks for all the helpful posts.
