2003 V8 Timing Belt - Change When?

[MisterHix]

I have a 2003 Sport V8 with about 63K miles. The manual says the timing belt
should be changed at 100K, give or take about 5k. I asked a local Toyota service manager about age versus miles. He said he has never seen a V8
timing belt break, no matter how old. I want to get the most out of this belt that I can, but don't want to trash my engine either. Any experiences with the
timing belt issue would be appreciated if posted. Thanks.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

I've never seen a 2UZ-FE with a broken Timing Belt, but that doesn't mean it's never happened.

I believe its every 6 years or 90k which ever comes first; that's what the updated service information states.

That said, honestly? My 4Runner is a '04 with 95k on it and I haven't done the belt yet (gonna get around to it at 100k). I would replace them around the 90~100k area for peace of mind but some members are running 130k+ on the same belt.

 

[Cosmic]

I changed the belt on my 03 V8 at 114k. The old belt looked "ok", but you can't really tell how much life is left via a visual inspection.
The more important issue was the original water pump was starting to leak at the weep hole. My bet is your water pump will need attention before the belt, but to do one without the other is a waste of time and money.

 

[scottm]

I changed my '03 Land Cruiser (same engine) belt last year, it looked like it had a lot of years left in it, as did the water pump, bearings, starter contacts, etc I changed.

 

[JB.]

I have a 2003 Sport V8 with about 63K miles. The manual says the timing belt
should be changed at 100K, give or take about 5k. I asked a local Toyota service manager about age versus miles. He said he has never seen a V8
timing belt break, no matter how old. I want to get the most out of this belt that I can, but don't want to trash my engine either. Any experiences with the
timing belt issue would be appreciated if posted. Thanks.

I see posts like Scottm's over and over. Personally, I'm not in a hurry at 98k.

Here's some reading.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/101822-03-v8-timing-belt-change-opinion.html
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/96867-replacing-timing-belt-because-age-52-000-miles.html

 

[ChaosStarter]

Toyota's recommendation is every 7 years or 90k miles. Now, I've seen these belts still in decent shape at 130k miles.

HOWEVER, and this is a big one, if the water pump is leaking, you have much more chance of it breaking. In fact, we had a '06 4Runner come in from NYC that had a broken belt at 106k miles, but the pump was leaking and soaked the belt. The belt broke and smashed the valves. Just be weary. It was not a cheap repair for that person.


As far as the age goes, I still tell people who come in Toyota's recommendation. Now, in the drier, hotter states, you'd probably want to follow that 7 year recommendation, because it's still a rubber belt and will get dried out sooner. The northern states are a little safer. I've had Highlander's come in and have the timing belts done at 40k miles. Can you go a little longer? Probably. If you're car is at least 7 years old, and you could go another 7 years (or 90k miles) on the new T-Belt, isn't it worth it? Doesn't seem like it's that bad for the time you get out of it.

 

[greatmass]

2003 V8 4 Runner Timing Belt

I have a 2003 Sport V8 with about 63K miles. The manual says the timing belt
should be changed at 100K, give or take about 5k. I asked a local Toyota service manager about age versus miles. He said he has never seen a V8
timing belt break, no matter how old. I want to get the most out of this belt that I can, but don't want to trash my engine either. Any experiences with the
timing belt issue would be appreciated if posted. Thanks.

I have not changed my belt ever, 258,600 miles. I know I'm taking a risk, but I have not towed any other vehicle or plan to in the near future. My water pump is still good, I've religiously changed the coolant, and the engine noise from the various bearings sounds like at 100K.

All that said, it is next on my list when I get all the materials and tools purchased. About a $1,000 for Toyota parts.

If someone has any tips, please forward.

 

[Steamdonkey]

I changed my 2004 4Runner's timing belt in 2016 at ~95,000 miles. The belt looked good (whatever that's worth) but I did notice the water pump gasket had developed a very small leak. The belt was dry and the impeller shaft seal seemed to be fine so I imagine it could have gone a while longer before something bad happened.

 

[gimlithepirate]

I have not changed my belt ever, 258,600 miles. I know I'm taking a risk, but I have not towed any other vehicle or plan to in the near future. My water pump is still good, I've religiously changed the coolant, and the engine noise from the various bearings sounds like at 100K.

All that said, it is next on my list when I get all the materials and tools purchased. About a $1,000 for Toyota parts.

If someone has any tips, please forward.

The AISIN kit is $200, and can be done with just hand tools. Not sure where your getting the $1000 number from. There are several guides on this site, and it's honestly not terrible. Just a lot of steps.

As to frequency, I would be shocked if you are actually on the original belt at 260k, and can almost guarantee you aren't on the original water pump. The reason people are so religious about it is it's 1 day of work every 90k miles, but if you go long and it breaks, at the very least your going to need to replace a bunch of valves...

 

[AndroT100]

Hello!

My 2003 4Runner SE V8 4x4 has 119000 miles and I had the timing belt changed at 65500 miles. No replacement of the water pump, tensioner, etc. at the time.

Presently, no issues with the 4Runner/Engine. No leaking, extra sounds, etc. All good! Live in Southern CA and only drive about 5000 miles a year. Some around town and a few longer driving trips per year. I have only towed a light trailer one time.

Thus, 55000 miles on the newer belt, but about 10-years of life on it.

Big questions is whether I need to change it now!

What are opininons/knowledge?

Thank you!

 

[AuSeeker]

Hello!

My 2003 4Runner SE V8 4x4 has 119000 miles and I had the timing belt changed at 65500 miles. No replacement of the water pump, tensioner, etc. at the time.

Presently, no issues with the 4Runner/Engine. No leaking, extra sounds, etc. All good! Live in Southern CA and only drive about 5000 miles a year. Some around town and a few longer driving trips per year. I have only towed a light trailer one time.

Thus, 55000 miles on the newer belt, but about 10-years of life on it.

Big questions is whether I need to change it now!

What are opininons/knowledge?

Thank you!

I know that Toyota says to replace the timing belt every 90,000 or at 10 years whichever comes first.

That being said I would replace it soon, and I highly recommend doing the water pump, idler and tensioner as well, I would recommend the Aisin TKT021 kit everything in this kit is made by the manufacturer that makes them for Toyota, so it's as close as you can get to OEM just no Toyota name on them and it's what most DIYer and good independent mechanics use for T4Rs, link to Rockauto below, just an FYI I would replace all I mentioned every time the timing belt is replace for 2 reasons, one being if the water pump goes bad after you do the work it all has to be redone to replace the water pump, the second reason is there is a forum member here who replaced just the belt and less than 10,000 to 15,000 miles later his belt broke and destroyed his engine, his belt broke because his old water pump apparently developed a leak and the coolant deteriorated the belt to the point it broke taking out the engine, valves collided with pistons and broke/bent them.

Link... there are 2 different Aisin kits get the one mentioned above which has everything you need, the other doesn't come with the hydraulic tensioner.

2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER 4.7L V8 Timing Belt & Component Kit | Shop Now at RockAuto

 

[AndroT100]

Many thanks!!

I truly appreciate the help.

Yes, the kit looks good and also yes to the idea of an experienced installer other than the dealer. I have one in mind and will reach-out to them tomorrow.

The existing timing belt may be fine, but it has been 10.5 years so the risk is real.

 

[AuSeeker]

Many thanks!!

I truly appreciate the help.

Yes, the kit looks good and also yes to the idea of an experienced installer other than the dealer. I have one in mind and will reach-out to them tomorrow.

The existing timing belt may be fine, but it has been 10.5 years so the risk is real.

Report back on how it goes, cost, who did the work, etc., it will help someone else in the future looking for info!!

 

[kyle_pc_75]

I just did mine. Belt, pump etc had 60K miles on it but was 12 years old. Everything looked like it was in fantastic shape, no leaks, but I sure feel a lot better now having done it.

 

[Drakethefirst]

I am curious about the cost too. If it is way too much I will end up doing it myself and making a youtube video so everyone can follow along

 

[AuSeeker]

I am curious about the cost too. If it is way too much I will end up doing it myself and making a youtube video so everyone can follow along

The least I have heard posted on the forum was around $800 but that from a year or two ago, you can do it yourself for the cost of the Aisin kit I linked in my recent post above from Rockauto, but around $176 plus shipping.

 

[Drakethefirst]

That is not as bad as I though it was going to be, I thought it was 2-3k

 

[AuSeeker]

That is not as bad as I though it was going to be, I thought it was 2-3k

That would be from an independent shop, a Toyota dealer would be much more.

I think even from an independent shop that's price will be the very low end price, $1000 to $1200 might be more what you will be finding these days.

 

[landonp513]

I mean, if Toyota recommends 90k to 100k miles, I would listen.

 

[AndroT100]

I just did mine. Belt, pump etc had 60K miles on it but was 12 years old. Everything looked like it was in fantastic shape, no leaks, but I sure feel a lot better now having done it.

Ah! That's the thing...you feel better/more secure that all is done...but it didn't have to be done....There needs to be a view window so as to be able to see the belt and monitor condition!