Does The Toyota Venza Have a Timing Belt or Chain?
The Toyota Venza is a great car.
It has been in production since 2006 and it has been Toyota’s best-selling car for the last five years.
Toyota vehicles are known for their reliability, so you can feel confident when buying one of these cars.
Toyota vehicles also come with various options that give you plenty of choices to choose from when selecting your next vehicle.
One question that always gets asked is whether the Toyota Venza comes with a timing belt or timing chain?
Does The Toyota Venza Have a Timing Belt or Chain?
Toyota Venza’s first and second-generation both use a timing belt. For the third generation, they upgraded to the new variable valve timing (VVT-i) aluminum block V-type engine that uses a timing chain instead of the Timing belt.
Toyota decided to switch over to this system because the Toyota Camry and other Toyota vehicles were already using it, making it easier for Toyota since they could share parts between them all.
Continue reading for more Toyota Venza information.
Timing Belt Vs Chain
To understand why Toyota changed over the third-generation Toyota Venzas’ engines from using an overhead camshaft with rocker arms to Toyota variable valve Timing (VVT-i), you need to understand the difference between a timing belt and chain.
Timing Belt
A Timing Belt uses small grooves to stay on track when it’s spinning while being timed up against another object, but if that groove isn’t perfect, it can be off track, and then your vehicle won’t run properly.
Timing belts are known to stretch over time, which means they need to be replaced every 60-90k miles depending on the make/model of the car you drive.
A Toyota Venza Timing Belt needs its special tool for you to get it out, so it will be more expensive to replace, but Timing Belts tend to last longer than Timing Chains.
Timing Chain
A Toyota Venza timing chain is much stronger and lasts way longer than a Toyota Venza’s Timing Belt since all that needs to happen for the vehicle to run properly with this system is that it needs to be adjusted.
Toyota Venza timing chains are not designed to replace yourself, so if the chain goes bad, it will need to go to a mechanic to get it fixed.
Toyota vehicles that use Timing Chains make more noise than if they were using Timing Belts because of all the extra parts involved with this system and the noise that comes with it.
Toyota Venza Timing Chain
So, Toyota Venza has a Toyota variable valve Timing (VVT-i) system meaning that Toyota uses a timing chain instead of a belt to keep your car running properly.
This system does not slip off track as a Timing Belt would.
Toyota variable valve Timing (VVT-i) system ensures it takes longer for the car to wear out and needs maintenance because of its extra parts involved with this system.
What Are Symptoms of a Failing Timing Chain?
Symptoms of Toyota Venza Timing Chain problems can include:
- trouble starting your car
- rough idling or bogging out when the vehicle is running and
- any check engine light that might come on.
These symptoms are similar to timing belt problems except if you have a Toyota variable valve Timing (VVT-i) system, which means Toyota uses a timing chain and not a Toyota Venza Timing Belt.
The Toyota variable valve Timing (VVT-i) system is harder to diagnose than Toyota Venzas’ that use Timing Belts.
Because the symptoms are similar for both systems, ask your mechanic which one it might be if you start having trouble with your vehicle.
The Toyota Venza Timing Chain System is powerful and designed to last, but like any other Toyota vehicle that uses one, it can go bad if not properly managed.
What Are Some of the Reported Problems?
There have been Toyota Venza Timing Chain problems reported that include:
- the Toyota variable valve Timing (VVT-i) system not working properly
- the timing chain tensioner failing or having to be replaced and the water pump that is connected to this Toyota Venza Timing Chain.
The Toyota variable valve Timing (VVT-i) system can go bad if it isn’t taken care of properly, which can cause Toyota Venza Timing Chain problems.
The Toyota variable valve Timing (VVT-i) system is known to go bad because of the extra parts involved with this Toyota vehicle’s timing chain system and any oil leaks.
What Options Are Available For A Toyota Variable Valve Timing (VVT-i) System?
There are Toyota variable valve Timing (VVT-i) system replacement options available for Toyota Venzas that include:
- the Toyota timing belt kit which includes the tensioner, water pump and all its gaskets
- a remanufactured Toyota variable valve Timing (VVT-i) system or
- an aftermarket Toyota variable valve Timing (VVT-i) system which means Toyota will not warranty this part.
Suppose you are experiencing any of the problems stated above with your Toyota Venza.
In that case, it might be time to replace your Toyota variable valve Timing (VVT-i) system because if left untreated, they can lead to more severe vehicle issues.
What Engines Does The Toyota Venza Come Equipped With?
Toyota Venzas come equipped with Toyota engines that include:
- a four-cylinder engine
- a V-six or
- a V-four
What Is The Fuel Efficiency Of A Toyota Venza?
Toyota Venzas have a Toyota variable valve Timing (VVT-i) system that helps them achieve excellent fuel efficiency.
Because of its additional components and how effectively it works, the Toyota variable valve Timing (VVT-i) system improves Toyota’s engine efficiency.
How Does the All-Wheel-Drive System in the Venza Work?
The Toyota all-wheel-drive system in the Toyota Venza is used on wet or slippery roads where other less effective vehicles might have problems.
Toyota has an automatic four-wheel-drive that engages when needed, which means you don’t even need to think about it because this Toyota vehicle takes care of itself no matter what kind of road conditions you are driving in.
Toyota’s all-wheel-drive system is designed to help you get out of dangerous situations on the road quickly and safely.
AWD does this while keeping your vehicle balanced, meaning there will be less wheel spinning or fishtailing when this Toyota’s four-wheel drive engages.
What Problems Have Been Reported With The Toyota Venza All-Wheel Drive System?
There have been Toyota Venza Timing Belt problems reported that include:
- the four-wheel drive not engaging
- one of the front wheels locking up and/or
- a Toyota variable valve Timing (VVT-i) system problem
What to Look For When Buying a Used Toyota Venza?
When you go to purchase a used Toyota Venza make sure:
- the Toyota variable valve Timing (VVT-i) system and all the gaskets are in good condition
- there aren’t any warning lights on or blinking when driving it and if there is then find out what they mean.
- Make sure all Toyota’s warning lights are in good condition
- The Toyota variable valve Timing (VVT-i) system isn’t making any noise when the vehicle is running.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Does Toyota Variable Valve Timing (VVT-i) System Work Properly?
If there are no warning lights on and the vehicle is running smoothly, it does work properly.
What Toyota Variable Valve Timing (VVT-i) System Should I Use To Replace My Toyota Venza Four Wheel Drive?
You should use a remanufactured Toyota variable valve Timing (VVT-i) system. This is the only option that Toyota will warranty if you experience problems with it.
What Toyota Variable Valve Timing (VVT-i) System Fits the Toyota Venza?
There are only three Toyota variable valve Timing (VVT-i) systems that fit in a Toyota Venza, and they include:
- the four-cylinder engine
- V six or
- V four
Toyota Venza Timing Belts and Chains
Toyota Venza has a Toyota variable valve Timing (VVT-i) system, either Toyota timing belt kit or Toyota Variable Valve Timing (VVT-i).
Suppose you are experiencing any of the problems.
In that case, it might be time to replace your Toyota variable valve Timing (VVT-i) system because they can lead to more severe Toyota vehicle issues.
If your Toyota Venza has Toyota variable valve Timing (VVT-i) system problems, you should replace it with the Toyota remanufactured Toyota Variable Valve Timing (VVT-i) System.
Also, when buying a Toyota Venza, be sure to check the Toyota variable valve Timing (VVT-i) system and all the gaskets are in good condition.
Check that there aren’t any warning lights on or blinking when driving it.
If there is, then find out what they mean. Make sure Toyota’s warning lights are in good condition too!
Remember, Toyota remanufactured Toyota Variable Valve Timing (VVT-i) System is the only Toyota variable valve Timing (VVT-i) system that Toyota will warranty if you experience problems.