2 Timing Belt Questions

[tluv]

Hi all,

I recently bought a 97 4runner with 104k miles. The guy I bought it off of drove it for 3k miles and didn't know when the last time the timing belt was changed.

My questions:

1) If i don't have any records, is there any way to tell whether or not my timing belt needs to be changed?

2) If I do change my timing belt, is it necessary to change the water pump too? (or can I just do the timing belt).


The Toyota dealership near my house is offering a timing belt change for $299, if I want to replace the water pump its an extra $350.

Thoughts?

Thanks in advance guys, i appreciate it!

 

[peter78]

There is really no way to tell if it has been changed. Also if you tear apart the front of the motor to look at the belt, you are basically there. A belt can look OK only to break shortly after that.

The general feeling is when your at the timing belt change the water pump. If it leaks later from the water pump it will get on the timing belt which could cause it to break. Also since the fan belts are off you should change those as well. It sounds like the dealer is low balling the timing belt and raising the price of the water pump replacement.

You should know the engine is a non-interference engine, which means if it breaks, you are broke down, but your valves didn't go crunch, bang, boom.

 

[02SE]

Hi all,

I recently bought a 97 4runner with 104k miles. The guy I bought it off of drove it for 3k miles and didn't know when the last time the timing belt was changed.

My questions:

1) If i don't have any records, is there any way to tell whether or not my timing belt needs to be changed?

2) If I do change my timing belt, is it necessary to change the water pump too? (or can I just do the timing belt).


The Toyota dealership near my house is offering a timing belt change for $299, if I want to replace the water pump its an extra $350.

Thoughts?

Thanks in advance guys, i appreciate it!

When I changed my timing belt, I also changed the other accesory drive belts, the belt tensioner, the thermostat, and anti-freeze.

I didn't change the water pump, because it showed no signs of leaks, and it turned smoothly (no roughness in the bearings).

How much of that $350.00 is for the part?.

Because once you have the timing belt off, the waterpump is right there. A simple matter of a handful of bolts to remove it. Ten minutes tops, to remove the old one, put sealant on the new one, and tighten the bolts.

My guess is that the $350.00 includes 'Book time'. Which is basically how long it would take, if you were just replacing the waterpump.

Ask them if they'll charge just the actual time it takes, since they will literally be right there anyway.

BTW, the oem Toyota T-belt, comes with a decal that you fill in with the date and mileage of when the T-belt was replaced.

You're supposed to put this in a conspicuous spot, on the black plastic T-belt cover.

If this isn't present on yours, then it must likely is the original T-belt, and should be replaced.

 

[JPMORGN98]

timing belt question

1998 4Runner LTD 4x4 (180k)


That's been my concern all along - what happens if the timing belt goes.

I had my timing belt and water pump replaced at 100k. Now that I'm at 180k and my days of using the 4Runner as an everyday driver are numbered (planning on another 10 months or so - 20k) I'm debating changing them both again now or just taking my chances and taking it to 200k?

Any thoughts?

My logic is this...if the engine is non-interference, why not simply wait till it goes (if it goes) as opposed to spending the cash on a new timing belt and water pump?

 

[lee]

Re: timing belt question

My logic is this...if the engine is non-interference, why not simply wait till it goes (if it goes) as opposed to spending the cash on a new timing belt and water pump?

because of where you could be when it goes.

id rather play it safe. spend the money now instead of later when youre stranded and desperate.

 

[Ebbsnflows]

This is a little off topic...but does anyone have a "How to" on replacing the timing belt? I'm pretty handy w/ a wrench, so I'd like to do my own if it's not too much of a PITA (or if I don't have to buy a gazillion specialized tools for the job).

Any help or advice is appreciated.

 

[peter78]

Re: Re: timing belt question

because of where you could be when it goes.

id rather play it safe. spend the money now instead of later when youre stranded and desperate.

After reading from some of the members who have not had thier timing belt replaced, I would think if I am getting rid of it at 200,000 miles it is worth the expense vs. risk to get it done. You will never get your money out of what you paid. Having said all of that, I replaced a timing belt on a Honda at 190,000 BUT I plan of keeping it and in has an interference engine.

This is a little off topic...but does anyone have a "How to" on replacing the timing belt? I'm pretty handy w/ a wrench, so I'd like to do my own if it's not too much of a PITA (or if I don't have to buy a gazillion specialized tools for the job).

Any help or advice is appreciated.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?threadid=1193&highlight=timing+belt


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