I have a 1998 SR5, (5VZFE) V6, auto 4x4, that I bought used with about 174K miles on it. There is no sticker anywhere that I can find that shows a timing belt replaced, so I assume it's probably the original, or if it was changed, it wasn't marked.

I am a little apprehensive about NOT doing the timing belt and water pump right now, and chancing a catastrophic failure. I had a new radiator installed (the old one was the original, and had NO fins left on it). I also had new front brakes and a new rack and pinion installed.

I saw this kit ( 95 04 Toyota Tacoma Tundra T100 4Runner 3 4L Timing Belt Water Pump Kit 5VZFE | eBay ) on Ebay, but wondered about it being about 1/3 to 1/2 the price of similar kits. My mechanic would do the timing belt change, with me supplying the parts.

Anyone used that kit? Is this acceptable (this cheap kit), or should I spend 3x the $$$$, to buy a "name brand" timing belt kit?


thanks

This is not the area you want to skimp on. those parts don't even list who manufactured them so I would be concerned. They may last or they may not, but if you have to pay for labor a second time to replace a cheap water pump...all that money you saved is gone and it just costed you more in the end. I think it's worth the extra $200 to do it right the first time.

Timing Belt Kit Water Pump Genuine OE Manufacture Parts 3 4 V6 | eBay

I just put this on my truck yesterday and the parts were very good. NSK, Koyo, etc. Aisin Water Pump. I never replace the crank and cam seals unless they are leaking. My drive belts were in good condition.

Pretty good price.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

And this is worth it's weight in gold:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I bought an OEM kit like above. You only want to use OEM parts and I just kept my old belts as spares that I keep in the truck, just in case.

Definitely agree with shiftmx, don't skimp on these parts. Make sure to get OEM, you don't want to be stranded somewhere. If the timing belt breaks, it won't destroy your engine, but you won't be going anywhere.

The kit that shiftmx includes the accessory belts and associated items, not just the timing belt and water pump. The kit jreask linked to is just the tb/wp. I can't speak to the quality of that one. The ebay one from aircabinman is top notch and many guys here have ran that kit. I have that kit available, check my sig for details.

The kit also includes the tensioner, Idler, thermostat gasket, and roller.
IT is OEM quality with an Aisin Pump, Koyo and NSK parts. Just depends on what you need to replace. This kit replaces everything that is critical . You don't want to tear it back down to replace any of the rollers, etc. You can always replace belts without tearing it back down.

If you need the entire set?
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=AYFV20MS9FO9W


Or

Amazon.com: TBK Timing Belt Kit Toyota 4 Runner 1996 to 2002 3.4L 5VZFE V6: Automotive

It is my belief that all the timing belt kits for the 5VZ-fe are missing two components:

1) the o-ring for the dipstick tube, 96721-19010

and

2) a new bolt for the flywheel, 90105-16031

I am certain that many on this forum - and plenty of mechanics not on any forum - have done TB jobs on these engines without replacing the flywheel bolt. If there are stories of what happens when a re-used bolt fails I have not read them.

Still, I note that the FSM shows this item to be a non-reusable part. It's not terribly expensive, about $6 online. I'm not certain if, technically, this particular bolt is a torque-to-yield bolt, as they don't all have the narrow section that one sees on cylinder head bolts; there's no harm in treating this bolt as if it is a TTY.

An informative and easy-to-read article on TTY bolts can be found here:

Threaded Fasteners Torque-to-Yield and Torque-to-Angle - Engine Builder Magazine

The second kit on Amazon that toku58 linked is a nice kit that many people have used. This topic comes up every 3-4 months, and that kit and the aircabinman kit are always recommended.

Timing belt is not something you should skimp on. Because of the important job it performs it could really damage your engine if it breaks. Get an OEM or a name brand belt.

Just so you know - the 3.4 is a non-interference motor.

If the belt breaks, the only harm done will be to your shoe's, not the motor. ;-)

That's a good call. Blitzkrieg...

Any Toyota 4Runner from 1987-94 3.0L are interference motor.

If it breaks... You just have to do it again!