I am new to the group and a new Toyota 4Runner owner. I now am the very proud owner of a 2001 4Runner.

I have a question about the timing belt. I have read that the belt needs to be replaced at 60K which isn't so far off. Is there a reason that needs to be done? Also, I would like to have the local dealer take care of this, what would I be looking at for cost?

Thank you very much for the advise and help. Also, this is my first post so please excuse any blunders!!!

Steve

If the timing belt breaks while the engine is running (and very few break when it's not), you run the very real risk of sustaining serious engine damage. If I remember correctly, you have what is called an interference engine. Which simply means that if the timing belt breaks while the engine is running, the cam shafts stop which also stops the valves. But because of intertia, the pistons are still going up and down and some of them will hit valves which are not closed. This usually causes the valves to bend, which is not good and can cost a bunch of bucks to fix. Much cheaper to replace the belt first.

I have a 2001. Since they only made one engine for the 4Runner in 2001, I know we are talking about the 3.4 V6. The manual says 90,000 miles for the timing belt. Also, the 3.4 V6 is a non-interference engine, which means if it breaks, your valves don't get bent. Of course you will be stuck in the middle of some road when it breaks, but no damage to the engine. The cost is around $550, they usually change the anit-freeze, AC & fan belt and the water pump when they change the timing belt.

I have two cars with interference engines and you need to be sure to change the belt at the recommended intervals. By the way, the 4.7 V8 in the new 4Runners is a interference ingine.

Here is a site that explains interference eninges. Also, you can click on "Timing Replacement Guide" which clearly shows the 3.4 V6 engine as a non-interference engine and it has a 90,000 mile recommended replacement.

http://www.gates.com/brochure.cfm?br...ocation_id=524

I am sure glad that I had asked the question and here's why. When the 4Runner was delivered, some how I got a maintenance book from a 2000 "Cars & Sienna" and that's one of the ways I came up with the 60K. The other way was from a local dealer which is not where the 4Runner was purchased from. The salesman was telling me the belt has to be changed at 60K, so in roughly 2,500 miles I was thinking I was going to have to drop some money on my new 4Runner.

My last question about this, is this a job for the Do-It-Yourseler or a dealer only? I've always done everything my self from brakes to replacing the engines/transmission. I never had something so new or not one of the American brands.

Thanks to everyone that has responded, great group of folks here! Hope someday I can return the advice.

Steve

I have worked on brakes, changed alternaters,water pumps, starters, etc., but I have left changing timing belts to the pros. If you change engines and transmissions, this should be somewhat easy for you. Here is a link to what you have to do.

http://www.toy4x4.net/timing_belt/index.htm

The most important part of this job is to have the right tools available. You will need a torque wrench that can go up to 217 ft/lbs for the crank bolt. You will also need a way to hold the crank pulley while removing and replacing the crank bolt. Take a look at the site and see what you think.

I stand corrected.

My salesman at Atlanta Toyota said the timing belt had to be changed at 60,000 miles. I read later that night in the manual that it was 90,000 miles. Then after some research I found it was not a interference engine. I have never owmed a Toyota before so I had to learn.

Unforunately you can't learn from the Toyota dealers.:dunno:

So if I understand things, this is the way it goes:

1.) Belt should be replaced at 90,000 miles.
2.) If the belt was to snap, it would NOT cause damage.

I am wondering if dealers have any clue as to whats right and whats wrong. Bottom line I guess is that if you want an answer to a question, we should all do our homework.

Thank God for this forum!!!

That is basically true. I must say however, a friend of mine who owns a repair shop says a 4 valve per cyl. non-interference engine is not immune to damage if the belt breaks. I am not sure exactly what engines he was refering to, but I suppose it is possible if it breaks when your going 80 or so that might cause a problem. There have been members on this forum who haven't replace their belt well past 90,000 miles. So, take no damage with a grain of salt. Of course, the belt usually breaks when it is raining and your in the left lane of the Interstate.

The best plan seems to me would be do the belt between 87,000 and 90,000 so I won't have to worry at all. I just want anything bad to happen to "the love of my life" as the wife would say. She also keeps telling me that if I keep washing it, the paints going to wear away on me.
I wish I bought a Toyota years ago instead of spending lots of time working on the F150's.
Thanks again for all the help clearing this up.

Steve

Hello everyone. I just recently purchased a 2004 limited 4runner. I bought the car with 33,500 miles and now I am just reaching 42,000. I went to the dealership yesterday to have the oil replaced and they told me my timing belt needs to be replaced. I know it's suppose to be done at 90k or 9 years I believe. Any suggestions? Should I be doing it immediately or do you think I have some time? Thanks.

I have changed my timing belt twice myself. My 4-runner has 220k on it. Each time, i have changed it I have been amazed at how good it still looks, no wear etc. However there is still peace of mind in changing it. The job really is not that difficult if you consider yourself a moderate mechanic. A weekend and good manual will get you through the process. One with only 40k is still new and no need to replace..keep the money in your pocket for a few more years.

I always recommend to just pull the upper cover off and have a look. It is possible to pull it back far enough to give the belt a good visual inspection in under 10 minutes. There are 6 10mm bolts, 4 across the top, and 1 hidden on the bottom on each side. Use a pair of pliers to remove the upper radiator hose clamp and slide it up the hose toward the radiator. Then you can unclip the 3 brackets holding the spark plug wire. Finally pull the upper cover off and slide it partially up the radiator hose. Now you can see the timing belt and decide for yourself if it needs to be changed. If it still looks good, with deep grooves and no fraying on the edges, you probably don't need to change it.

So, you must have the V8, right? I know a lot of people push the belt in this thread, but they are talking about the 3.4 V6. The V8 is an interference engine, meaning if the belt brakes, you could bend the valves.

Yes, the dealer is going by age, not by miles. Being from up North in New Jersey, the car has seen a lot of big changes in temperature. So, sure it could break and you have a very bad day. Still, I tend to go more by miles and not by age. On oil, the old adage of change the oil 3,000 miles or 3 months, well on my old 91 Previa mini-van I put less than 3,000 a year on it and I change the oil a least every year.

If I was in your situation, I would say, what is my plan for the car, if you have this as a second car and plan on getting rid of it within 3 years, I might leave it alone. If you plan on keeping it past that and it is your basic car, I would tend to change the belt in the next few months.

I changed my belt in the old 2001 3.4 V6 engine with 150,000 miles on it last year. So, that was 11 years, of course I had a non-interference engine, so I can risk it a bit more than you. The 90,000 mile mark or 9 years is the safe mark, sure the belt might go as far as the 3.4 V6 4runners, but you do risk more, so as Clint Eastwood once said "Do you feel lucky, well do you punk."

Just got my Timing belt done on the 06' limited V8 at the dealer $780 plus tax. Not too bad compared to every other toyota dealer or garage I know of. Has 118k on it and has never been done. Not me leaving so long but I just bought it and want the piece of mind since they say it needs to be done around 90k.