Need advice: Timing belt broke. Fix or...

ChuckFresh

ChuckFresh

New member
I have a 2007 4runner Limited with a V8 engine. Unfortunately, the timing belt broke while I was on the highway...and since it's an interference engine I'm pretty much screwed. I didn't realize this until after the shop I took it to told me they'd need to replace the timing belt and water pump before they could determine if there was any damage to the engine. It sounds like you're pretty much guaranteed damage when a timing belt breaks, so I think they may have screwed me over a little bit there. Now, it looks likes it's going to be around $5,000 to completely fix everything (that includes the timing belt and water pump that has already been fixed).

This seems extremely pricey. Any recommendations? Fix it? Buy a used engine and put it in? Other options for selling it without getting it fixed?
 
Register to hide this ad
Eric the car guy had a video way back when with a honda (Civic?) that had an interference engine. he said the easiest way to check is to put a new belt and see what happens. I think he got lucky and it lived. South main auto had a similar video, I think same conclusion replaced the tbelt, but he was unlucky and engine was done. (ill go double check). I guess he they do this for a living so they aren't really at a loss in checking.


how many miles did you neglect the belt from snapping? I don't think Ive heard of too many of these cases because the belt is pretty beefy.
 
Last edited:
The easiest way I know to find out is to install a new timing belt correctly by aligning all the marks and having the engine crankshaft and valve train in the correct positions. Usually this is with #1piston at TDC on the compression stroke; but you should verify this for your engine because you must have this correct.

Then pull all the plugs and do a compression check on each cylinder. If they all check good (you'll have to look up the spec) then you should be ok and can finish putting the engine back together. If any fail the compression check it means a valve is bent and you'll have to pull that head and fix it.

Then it's time to see what is the best option. It may be a short block, but that's up to you.
 
I've put multiple timing belts on cars that had them break. Mostly on Subarus and Hondas and Toyotas. I think there was maybe one car that didn't live through the break. Like the other people have said, throw a belt on it and see what happens. Worst case scenario is you return the timing belt to the store.

Also $5000 is extremely outrageous to replace a timing belt and water pump. Unless they included a used engine in that price.
 
Last edited:
Replacing timing belt

I am replacing my timing belt on my 95 4runner. There are plenty of info on replacing the belt but one thing that is not addressed is they tell you to install the timing belt guide, they just don't tell you how to take it off in the first place. Mine won't budge from the crankshaft gear.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Members online

Total: 418 (members: 3, guests: 415)

Forum statistics

Threads
278,316
Messages
3,554,106
Members
248,016
Latest member
Advally Service

Share this page

Trending content

Back
Top