I just experienced my first engine trouble with my 3vze V6 with 159000 miles on it in my 88 4runner sr5. It seems that when the previous owner had the timing belt replaced at 120000 miles the shop they took it to didn't replace either of the pulleys. The tensioner pulley gave out and the belt jumped time. Luckily these engines are of the non interference type. I am posting this as advice for anyone who is having there timing belt replaced or doing it themselves to spend the extra money and replace the pulley's too it's not much more work and it will be worth it in the long run. I was able to find a kit that include the front cam seals, front crank seal, water pump, tensioner pulley, idler pulley w/ water neck, and all needed gaskets and O rings for a mere $160.00 from www.partsdinosaur.com. The service was excellent as he even sent complete directions for the job and I was unable to find a better price anywhere. No I didn't need a water pump but once your in there you might was well replace it and save the trouble of taking it all back apart again.
3vze tensioner pulley woes
- Thread starter bb64chevy
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a red 4runner
New member
Man, dusting off an old thread here.
I just bought a $220 Aisin/Koyo oem timing belt kit from RockAuto that includes a belt, both pulleys, tensioner, water pump & seal. I took my front end apart only to find out that all I needed was a new pump+seal and the top idler pulley. I guess I'll just save those other parts for later...
Anyway, I'd love to replace the top idler pulley while I have everything torn apart, the only thing is; I have no clue how the heck to reach the 4 bolts holding that thing in place. My only guess is by removing both cam gears and the entire rear timing cover (timing cover #3 & #4) in which case I'd be able to use a wrench. But that's not happening at the moment. I already broke a $120 camgear holder I borrowed from O'reilley's today :ybrick: So, what's the best way to get that top idler pulley out?? Thanks!
I just bought a $220 Aisin/Koyo oem timing belt kit from RockAuto that includes a belt, both pulleys, tensioner, water pump & seal. I took my front end apart only to find out that all I needed was a new pump+seal and the top idler pulley. I guess I'll just save those other parts for later...
Anyway, I'd love to replace the top idler pulley while I have everything torn apart, the only thing is; I have no clue how the heck to reach the 4 bolts holding that thing in place. My only guess is by removing both cam gears and the entire rear timing cover (timing cover #3 & #4) in which case I'd be able to use a wrench. But that's not happening at the moment. I already broke a $120 camgear holder I borrowed from O'reilley's today :ybrick: So, what's the best way to get that top idler pulley out?? Thanks!
icedfreakintea
New member
Digging into my '94 3VZE in the next couple days to replace the water pump, getting a kit to do the timing belt and pulleys and tensioners and such as well while I'm in there.
First time doing a water pump on a T4R, but I've done a couple chevys (way less intricate) so this should be fun..
https://youtu.be/SoAaa6XKPCY
This video and the part 2 vid helped me a bit when I was changing the thermostat and flushing the coolant system (oil cooler hose was leaking too) while troubleshooting my overheating problem, probably gonna be watching it more while I do the WP and all that.
Will update if I find any other tricks that make the job easier.
First time doing a water pump on a T4R, but I've done a couple chevys (way less intricate) so this should be fun..
https://youtu.be/SoAaa6XKPCY
This video and the part 2 vid helped me a bit when I was changing the thermostat and flushing the coolant system (oil cooler hose was leaking too) while troubleshooting my overheating problem, probably gonna be watching it more while I do the WP and all that.
Will update if I find any other tricks that make the job easier.
icedfreakintea
New member
Man, dusting off an old thread here.
I just bought a $220 Aisin/Koyo oem timing belt kit from RockAuto that includes a belt, both pulleys, tensioner, water pump & seal. I took my front end apart only to find out that all I needed was a new pump+seal and the top idler pulley. I guess I'll just save those other parts for later...
Anyway, I'd love to replace the top idler pulley while I have everything torn apart, the only thing is; I have no clue how the heck to reach the 4 bolts holding that thing in place. My only guess is by removing both cam gears and the entire rear timing cover (timing cover #3 & #4) in which case I'd be able to use a wrench. But that's not happening at the moment. I already broke a $120 camgear holder I borrowed from O'reilley's today :ybrick: So, what's the best way to get that top idler pulley out?? Thanks!
I got a bit hung up on that too, luckily I found this thread on yotatech with pics of everything
https://www.yotatech.com/f116/1995-3vze-timing-belt-removal-replacement-lots-pics-183911/
There's 4 bolts on the sides of the top idler pulley that attach a little back plate to the rear timing cover, remove the bolts and the plate slides out from the top. Reaching the bolts holding the pulley down was tricky, I used the shortest (12mm iirc) socket i had on a small swivel and extension, I went at them from the top, got them loose then did the rest with a wrench and by hand.
That, the crankshaft bolt, and the grenade pin on the tensioner (got a hook on the inside end that got hung up) were probably the biggest hang ups I ran into.
a red 4runner
New member
Thanks, icedfreakintea! My dad and I looked in allll the stores on the east side of Lake Washington that we thought would carry a 12mm swivel-socket (Harbor Freight, Home Depot, Sears, etc.) but nada. We ended up just using a wobble extension that allowed a socket to partially fit over the bolt (oops?) which worked!
