I have a 2004 V8 with 234k. Timing belt was changed at 90k. Should I be the Guinee pig to see how long I can go before it breaks?

Honestly this is something I need to get down. I have to replace the valve cover gaskets as they are leaking oil. Hoping it's only the valve covers and not the head gaskets. No white smoke coming from the exhaust so I believe I am good.

Does anyone here live in Orlando who can point to a indy 3Toyota mechanic?

Morgan at Fuel Infected up in Eustis. He knows Toyota Trucks inside and out. (407) 756-3467
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Tell him Brett sent you.

Thank you Sir.

Buy an Aisin kit from Rock Auto, go to a trusted mechanic locally. Cuts the price in half. I don't think it's any secret in the mechanic world that "trouble with rusted bolts" is an automatic add on service hour with late 90's and 2000's Toyota SUVs. I got the same news.

hey OP - we seem to be living parallel lives in Ohio. I just bought an '05 SE V8 with 162k and two previous owners, both of whom did all service at the dealer (first in Nevada through 2017 and until 2020 in Ohio). My timing belt was replaced by the dealer at 89k in 2015 and not again since so I am also creeping up on the replacement interval.

I've used the Asin kit on my previous Sequoia (same 2UZ-FE motor) and it took me two half-days over the weekend but it was a stellar kit of OEM parts and the included instructions were very good. I'll probably use the same kit on this 4Runner sometime this summer.

I'm in Cincinnati and wouldn't recommend 2 of the 4 local dealerships that I've dealt with. There's one north of the city (Joseph) and one in Northern Kentucky (Kerry) that I haven't used.

Small world huh? As far as me doing the work...nah. I am 69 and over the years have done some things to engines but nothing more difficult than replacing a starter, changing plugs, drain and fill the vital fluids. I did watch a couple YouTube videos on the timing belt change on the 4.7L. The 3 part series by OTRAMM is absolutely the best.....but it convinced me I didn’t want to attempt it. The dealer (Byers Toyota) still has mine as like many things during Covid there is a back order coolant flex pipe that crumbled apart when they removed it. The Toyota Warehouse they ordered it from is out of stock BUT they located one in Boston Mass. at a dealer and they are overnighting it. Should be here tomorrow. They keep apologizing profusely and when they called today said they were taking 10% off the bill for my inconvenience. Tuesday they offered me a free rental. We have 3 vehicles so it wasnt necessary and I declined their offer. They also quoted me a great price on the TRD exhaust for my Tundra, about $200 less than another dealer.

After 4 days in the shop I finally got the old girl back from her timing belt maintenance. The hold up was the oil cooler pipe needed replaced and the Toyota warehouse that supplies the dealer didnt have one. It took them 2 days to find one at a dealer in Boston. They graciously agreed to sell the only one they had to my dealer here in Ohio. It arrived this morning and they gave me a call. So glad I decided to go with a dealer and not an indy. Several bolts broke off in this whole process but the mechanic saved everything and spent about 15 minutes with me at his bay showing me all the parts that were replaced and the broken bolts, etc. AND because this one day job turned into a 4 day job the service writer went to the shop foreman and they took 10% off the total of the bill. I am also being given the complete Toyota Service history since new (over 40 service events in 14 years) for this 4RNR and they are also giving me a nice discount when I have the TRD Pro exhaust installed on my ‘19 Tundra Platinum. This was the best part of my day. The worst part was I received a call at 5:30 this morning that my 89 year old mom fell and broke her hip. She lives in an assisted living facility but will now be several weeks in the hospital. Poor mom! Taking the good with the bad....

Got my 2006 4Runner with 180,000 back today from dealer was in for 2 days getting timing belt service. They also replaced water pump, fan belt, & thermostat. When tech started working he noticed coolant leaking so changed radiator assembly. While changing everything tech damage the cam sensor so they changed that for me at no charge. Mine was also in for break job had to replace rotors on front and back plus pads. Grand total was $2000

To those who may think it is crazy to spend $2k on a 15 year old 4Runner...they never owned one. You become attached to them, just like your old dog. When they need a little TLC you don’t think twice...you just do it!

Very well said.