Has anyone here attempted successfully to change their own timing belt and water pump? Thinking about trying to tackle this on my own and would love any suggestions that you may have to offer. I am currently running at 125k miles but no towing or off-roading and had to wait out the AZ summer heat.
03 V8 2UZ-FE Timing Belt
- Thread starter juice4luc
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I did mine about a year ago and it was not bad at all. I went slow, followed along with a video on Youtube and laid all the parts out in order the way they came off. Took me 10 hours start to finish with cleanup, but I could do it now in probably 6 or 7 hours. One thing I did was use 2 different air guns for the crankshaft bolt. One was a 1200ft/lb model that I used to take the bolt off and the other was a small one that was around 250 ft/lb that I used to torque it back on. I did not use a torque wrench for this because I knew it would be tight enough and probably a little more than spec, but I don't see an issue with that as it won't break anything and I know I can always get it back off. Also, you will need a 2' ratchet extension for removing a couple bolts from down low that you will end up going through the drivers side wheel well.
Do you happen to know what video? I found one of a guy doing it on a 2UZ-FE but on a Lexus. Is that the one you followed?
Any issue getting the timing right? That is the part I think I am the most nervous about.
tjwaggoner
New member
It’s not a terrible job to do yourself. Did mine a couple years ago with a mechanic buddy helping me. Took us a few hours if I remember correctly. As far as timing, just be sure to line the marks up on the cams and you should be good to go. There’s not a ton of ways to screw it up unless you’re just not mechanically inclined at all. If that’s the case, it’s probably not the best job to try to tackle yourself. That’s just my two cents.
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paraordnance
New member
I did TB few years ago, almost time to do it again. About 8-10 hour job. I replaced most of the parts that came with the kit including the water pump. I didn't do cam seals and crank seal as it was more work. Very doable just be careful with cams turning on you from the marks. I followed the service manual and some pictures/videos on youtube.
Tanker Yanker
New member
https://youtu.be/dCTGHurWA1c
Yup, this video is the one I followed. Only variation I would offer is use a normal pulley puller with three or four fingers to get the crank pulley....he suggests a steering wheel puller, which did not work for me. Once you have the crank and cams at the correct marks, don't worry too much more about that....just use a paint pen to make marks on the existing belt and also both cams and the crank. Make your marks obvious to you that you can say exactly which teeth of that belt fit into exactly which teeth of both cams and the crank. Take the old belt off and tape it precisely to the new belt and transfer the exact marks tooth by tooth. Match the marks on the belt to the marks on the cams and the crank. One more tip....the belt is hard to get situated over every pulley and idler and cam gear....I put the belt on without one of the idler pullies in place. That left a little room to make it easier. Then, you can wiggle the idler in where it goes and bolt it up. Check, double check, and re-check before you pull the pin on the tensioner. Rotate the crank with a breaker bar several times and make sure marks still line up. You got this!
mjotrainbrain
New member
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TZTn1Arjho&t=6s
This is the first video in the series I watched. Hardest part for me was removing and reinserting the bolts for the AC compressor, which I'm still not convinced was necessary to remove.
This is the first video in the series I watched. Hardest part for me was removing and reinserting the bolts for the AC compressor, which I'm still not convinced was necessary to remove.
This is part 1 of a 2 part video and it was done on an '02 tundra.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TZTn1Arjho
Part 2:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fM1A0DWhRHc&t=613s
Timing was easy to do, follow video and when done use wrench to turn crankshaft a full revolution to check it. It is all surprisingly easier than you would think and feels good when your done. You got this!
Did you remove the compressor? This is the only thing I am kind of pondering the necessity of? I have seen videos that do and that don't but the Factory Service Manual says to so I am questioning it.
Yes I did. I used a 24" ratchet extension and the u joint style socket extension. I thought it was going to be a pain, but it wasn't bad at all. Video shows exactly what and how to do it.
Do you feel it was necessary?
I don't know, I just followed the video��. I Think it might make it easier getting it a little out of the way.
Jcmeadows82
Member
I just did a Timing belt on my 07 V8 4Runner. I took pictures of the entire process pointing out almost all bolts and connections. Wondering if it would help anyone to create a new thread and post all of my pictures... Let me know if your interested in this.
It took me a long time as I took my time, documented the process with pictures and notes. After having done it once I could easily do the job in 8 hours at a relaxed pace.
Tools that made this job easy:
- 2' Breaker bar
- Crankshaft pulley tool
- 3/8 torque wrench
- 1/2 torque wrench
- 2 12mm wrenches (longer the better) this is for removing and reinstalling the fan.
^ seriously tho... I had to go to my local auto parts store to pick one up.... Thought I had 2
Having done a lot of work on cars in the past, this is probably the easiest Timing belt job I have ever done. So much room and only a few bolts that are tough to get to.
It took me a long time as I took my time, documented the process with pictures and notes. After having done it once I could easily do the job in 8 hours at a relaxed pace.
Tools that made this job easy:
- 2' Breaker bar
- Crankshaft pulley tool
- 3/8 torque wrench
- 1/2 torque wrench
- 2 12mm wrenches (longer the better) this is for removing and reinstalling the fan.
^ seriously tho... I had to go to my local auto parts store to pick one up.... Thought I had 2
Having done a lot of work on cars in the past, this is probably the easiest Timing belt job I have ever done. So much room and only a few bolts that are tough to get to.
Terminator03
New member
I would certainly appreciate a pictorial thread if you have time, or don’t mind posting it. I’m planning to do mine in the spring because it’s just too damn cold here to do it now. What crank pulley tool did you use? I’ve heard that referenced before, but never saw what it looked like, or where to get it. Also, for the fan, did you use those flat stamped type wrenches, or regular 12mm box wrenches?
Jcmeadows82
Member
I gotchu. I will post in the next week, including what tools I bought for it. Ill PM you when I get it up. Still a noob with posting pics in a forum, but I will figure it out as:
:worthless
Terminator03
New member
Awesome, thanks!:rockon:
