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Dear Jim,

I have a 1996 Toyota Camry with about 110,000 miles on it, and I don't think the timing belt has ever been changed. I figured I could wait until the belt started giving me some kind of problem, but a friend just told me this is dangerous.

He says to get it changed right away, because if the belt breaks, it will ruin the entire engine. Is this true? I know changing the belt is a pretty expensive job, so I don't want to have it done just for maintenance, but I don't want a broken engine either.

What should I do here?

-- Maria Koontz

You should rest easy, sister. The doomsday scenario your friend is describing really can be true for some vehicles, but not for your Toyota, and here's why.

There are two kinds of engines: interference and non-interference. Both kinds have the usual set of pistons and valves, and both kinds depend on the timing belt to coordinate the motion of these parts.

In an interference engine, however, that timing is absolutely crucial -- not just to make the engine run, but to keep the pistons and valves from colliding into each other in the tiny space they have to work within.

If the belt breaks, those collisions can do enough damage to require a major engine overhaul, and that's bad.

In the late '80s, a lot of vehicle manufacturers started building non-interference engines with more room for the pistons and valves to move. If the timing belt breaks, you're not going to be going anywhere, but at least you're not looking at a bunch of mangled valves on top of it.

Whether your Camry is the 2.2-liter, four-cylinder model or the 3.0-liter V6, your engine is safe, because both are non-interference designs. The only real difference is that the V6 will be more expensive to service, because it uses a more complicated timing system than the 2.2-liter version.

That old belt could go any time, sister. Then again, it could last the rest of your car's life. My guess is that it won't -- high heat really grinds away at belts -- but if it does snap, your engine stays safe.

Tip of the Week:

It's quick-inspection time again, drivers. Pop the hood and trust your instincts while scanning around for worn hoses, obvious bad connections, cracks and other signs of wear. Belts too -- if they're looking ragged, think about replacements in the near future.

Buffalo Jim, owner of Allstate Auto & Marine Repair in Las Vegas, writes a weekly column. Send your automotive questions to him at buffalojim@lasvegasniftynickel.com. If Jim picks your question to answer in Nuts & Bolts, you'll also be the proud recipient of a deck of official Buffalo Jim playing cards, presented in a classy, tin box bearing his hairy image.

New schedule times at Johnson

J. G. Johnson Elementary School schedule has changed for the upcoming school year.

These schedule changes were made so that J. G. Johnson arrival and dismissal times would coincide with those of other elementary schools in Pahrump.

Students may arrive on campus at 8 a.m. Classes will begin at 8:25 a.m. Students will be marked tardy if they arrive after 8:25 a.m. Class will be dismissed at 3 p.m.

Registration for new students begins on Monday, Aug. 13, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

If you have questions, call the school office at 727-6619.

Radio/electronic swap meet

A radio and electronics computer swap meet is scheduled 8 a.m to noon, Saturday, Aug. 18, at 1161 S. Loop Road next to Ace Hardware.

For information call K2QGT or 751-9300.