120K miles on '03 V6 4WD

[blackmax]

Other than replacing the serp. belt, and changing the oil fairly religiously (synthetic), I really haven't done anything to it, but drive. Oh, I have drained and replaced the diff oil (PITA!!!) and also have greesed the zerks once or twice.

So, I'm wondering what things I may want to consider as being likely issues in the near future? For example- I have some long trips scheduled. I'd hate to get stranded in whoknowswhere or in the desert somewhere, at the mercy of whoknowswho. I'd rather do some preemptive maint.....or at least have the part in hand. Any thoughts from the goup?? Water Pump? Alternator? Differential??

Thanks in advance!

 

[BlackWorksInc]

-I would check to see if your water pump is leaking, I see a fair amount of those on the 1GR-FE's and 2UZ-FE's at higher mileages. If you are going to replace the Water Pump go ahead and look up the specs for testing the timing chain tension, guides, tensioner, ect. I don't belive the hype that Toyota or any manufactuerer spouts about their chains never needing replacement, chains stretch, guides wear out, teeth wear out ect.
-Check the transmission fluid and do a flush if its burnt smelling, dark in color, dirty.
-Brake fluid and power steering flushes if needed, brake is the more important one as it picks up moisture over time.
-Air filter is an obvious one.
-Spark Plugs if they haven't been done.
-Toss a can of seafoam through the vacuum lines and in the gas tank while your at it.
EDIT- Forgot to mention a valve adjustment, you are getting up in miles and it will increase performance and effeciency of the drivetrain.

Those are most likely the most serious servicable issues you will come accross if the vehicle is running fine. Everything else can be tested/inspected to see whether or not it needs repair/replacement. Hope that helps.

 

[blackmax]

-I would check to see if your water pump is leaking, I see a fair amount of those on the 1GR-FE's and 2UZ-FE's at higher mileages. If you are going to replace the Water Pump go ahead and look up the specs for testing the timing chain tension, guides, tensioner, ect. I don't belive the hype that Toyota or any manufactuerer spouts about their chains never needing replacement, chains stretch, guides wear out, teeth wear out ect.
-Check the transmission fluid and do a flush if its burnt smelling, dark in color, dirty.
-Brake fluid and power steering flushes if needed, brake is the more important one as it picks up moisture over time.
-Air filter is an obvious one.
-Spark Plugs if they haven't been done.
-Toss a can of seafoam through the vacuum lines and in the gas tank while your at it.
EDIT- Forgot to mention a valve adjustment, you are getting up in miles and it will increase performance and effeciency of the drivetrain.

Those are most likely the most serious servicable issues you will come accross if the vehicle is running fine. Everything else can be tested/inspected to see whether or not it needs repair/replacement. Hope that helps.

Thanks !! Sounds like other than alternator (although I haven't actually heard of one going bad....they must? right??), water pump (but wait until you see it "weeping"), there's not much else. The diff always scares me, and I'm always sure I can hear the beginning of it "singing". But who knows. Valves I hadn't thought of. I'm still getting 22 MPG on the highway and averaging about 19.5 MPG over 5,000 miles; so, I am guessing all is well in compression land. I did the plugs at 100k. They EASILY would have gone 200K.

I guess I'll just leave it alone, or maybe buy a water pump and keep it in the storage area in the back......just in case that day comes while on the road. Gotta go back and re-do the differential oil....long story; but when I did it last time, the filler bold wouldn't budge and ended up stripping (which is why you DON'T drail the oil before you find this out ) .

 

[amrice62]

what is that sound?

Thanks !! Sounds like other than alternator (although I haven't actually heard of one going bad....they must? right??), water pump (but wait until you see it "weeping"), there's not much else. The diff always scares me, and I'm always sure I can hear the beginning of it "singing". But who knows. Valves I hadn't thought of. I'm still getting 22 MPG on the highway and averaging about 19.5 MPG over 5,000 miles; so, I am guessing all is well in compression land. I did the plugs at 100k. They EASILY would have gone 200K.

I guess I'll just leave it alone, or maybe buy a water pump and keep it in the storage area in the back......just in case that day comes while on the road. Gotta go back and re-do the differential oil....long story; but when I did it last time, the filler bold wouldn't budge and ended up stripping (which is why you DON'T drail the oil before you find this out ) .

Hi.. what is the "singing" you mention. I have a 2004 6cyl with 102k and all of a sudden after supreme maintenance, there are problems I cannot get fixed. there is a hummming from the front, and tire play on the front right. Also had a new battery for occasional battery light showing on dash, and weakening headlights while driving. New alternator after the battery since the battery was ruled out as culprit. Now three weeks into new alternator and back again to the battery light on the dash occasionally. I am thinking of getting rid of it before I end up with major problems, but also wonder if any of you can tell me what this is?
Thanks for any advice,
Ann Marie

 

[blackmax]

Hi.. what is the "singing" you mention. I have a 2004 6cyl with 102k and all of a sudden after supreme maintenance, there are problems I cannot get fixed. there is a hummming from the front, and tire play on the front right. Also had a new battery for occasional battery light showing on dash, and weakening headlights while driving. New alternator after the battery since the battery was ruled out as culprit. Now three weeks into new alternator and back again to the battery light on the dash occasionally. I am thinking of getting rid of it before I end up with major problems, but also wonder if any of you can tell me what this is?
Thanks for any advice,
Ann Marie

Lights dimming while driving, even after a new alternator? That doesn't make sense, unless you've maybe got a bad belt that's slipping, but normally that will squeal VERY loudly. That wouldn't worry me much.....it's something small and specific that just needs to be fixed.

"singing" is the sound a differential starts to make as the bearings start to wear out. High pitched ringing sort of, usually while floating (not accelerating or decelerating).