4.7L V8 Timing Belt Change Plus More

[fulltimervexplorer]

So looking at doing the timing belt and water pump Aisin kit here fairly soon on my 4runner and was looking at other things to change while im in there that would save a lot of time in future having to replace. Currently at 180k and i know i've replaced the spark plus around 50k miles ago .

So far i'm looking at adding on spark plugs , thermostat and o ring , drive belt and maybe cleaning the MAF and TB while i'm at it. I've heard some talk about crankshaft seals and camshaft seals but i hear its rarely needed. What are some other preventive maintenance items you guys would replace?

 

[WarChild]

Valve cover gaskets

 

[fulltimervexplorer]

Valve cover gaskets

That is a new one i havent heard about until now. I didnt know that was a common issue with these. I will check out the plugs to see if the seals are leaking and look for any seepage around the cover. Thanks

 

[4RunnerAquasport]

If your going to be towing 20k miles a year like you mention in your other thread, transmission fluid exchange would be a good idea. Make sure your trans cooler is flowing good and you could put a small push fan on it to keep some air moving across it during slow speed conditions. You can either put in an analog guage to monitor trans temps or use an OBDII device.

 

[ZiaMan]

For the timing belt itself, look at replacing the drive/accessory belt tensioner and idler pulley. They aren't included in any timing belt kit but you have to remove them to get the job done. I was pretty annoyed when I realized I was putting an old part back on.

If you end up doing cam seals, which are typically recommended for the 2nd timing belt/180ish miles that your at, then yes valve covers and would also check valve clearance as well. Black Works has posted some info on how to do this and that mostly they should be fine but if you're in there, might as well do it.

 

[92westshady]

This is very helpful been planning this job myself. Are there any really good writeups with pictures or step by step vids with tips anyone can point me to that might make this job as painless as possible?

 

[ZiaMan]

This is very helpful been planning this job myself. Are there any really good writeups with pictures or step by step vids with tips anyone can point me to that might make this job as painless as possible?

This is the thread I used with my notes. Depending when you tackle it I would mind making the DE drive. I have the crankshaft bolt tool and a huge drain tray as well

Guide: V8 Timing belt replacement 2UZ-FE VVT-i

 

[92westshady]

This is the thread I used with my notes. Depending when you tackle it I would mind making the DE drive. I have the crankshaft bolt tool and a huge drain tray as well

Thanks for the info and offer to assist! I have been debating tackling myself or getting a friend to do as a side job, dealer cost is really out of the question, but if I had a helper set of hands familiar with the job I’d rather do myself and save a lot of money. I am thinking I’ll be ordering all parts in the next few weeks and picking an early November weekend to dive in. I am happy to host a little wrench party at my place and I have a big garage with propane heaters if the temps drop on us the next few weeks. I’ll shoot you a PM ZiaMan and see if we can connect on a weekend.

 

[fulltimervexplorer]

If your going to be towing 20k miles a year like you mention in your other thread, transmission fluid exchange would be a good idea. Make sure your trans cooler is flowing good and you could put a small push fan on it to keep some air moving across it during slow speed conditions. You can either put in an analog guage to monitor trans temps or use an OBDII device.

AWesome never thought about the small fan. I currently change the trans fluid out aound every 25k miles or every year. Been travelling fulltime around the country now for 3 years.

 

[fulltimervexplorer]

For the timing belt itself, look at replacing the drive/accessory belt tensioner and idler pulley. They aren't included in any timing belt kit but you have to remove them to get the job done. I was pretty annoyed when I realized I was putting an old part back on.

If you end up doing cam seals, which are typically recommended for the 2nd timing belt/180ish miles that your at, then yes valve covers and would also check valve clearance as well. Black Works has posted some info on how to do this and that mostly they should be fine but if you're in there, might as well do it.

So drive belt tensioner and idler pulley , valve cover gaskets and spark plugs seals and valve check clearance. Checking the valve clearance seems like a costly job that i dont have time or money to have done. I am about drop like 2k on longtubes/labor and timing belt/labor so what else can i squeeze in for another 500?

 

[AuSeeker]

So drive belt tensioner and idler pulley , valve cover gaskets and spark plugs seals and valve check clearance. Checking the valve clearance seems like a costly job that i dont have time or money to have done. I am about drop like 2k on longtubes/labor and timing belt/labor so what else can i squeeze in for another 500?

I'm not sure what a "drive belt" is referring too, I'm guessing it's the serpentine belt, I agree it would be good to replace it and the tensioner and idler pulleys.

It shouldn't cost much at all or nothing to have them check the valve clearance...IF they're pulling the valve covers if you decide on replacing the gaskets, all it involves is around 30 minutes or less to rotate the engine a few times to get each set of valves fully closed and inserting a filler gauge to measure the clearance....if the clearance is not within specs is when it would cost a bit of money to correct...but if the engine seems to be running well I would guess the valves aren't far off if any, but it would be good to know for sure and if needed you can do the adjustments at a later date.

 

[bookooc]

For the timing belt itself, look at replacing the drive/accessory belt tensioner and idler pulley. They aren't included in any timing belt kit but you have to remove them to get the job done. I was pretty annoyed when I realized I was putting an old part back on.

If you end up doing cam seals, which are typically recommended for the 2nd timing belt/180ish miles that your at, then yes valve covers and would also check valve clearance as well. Black Works has posted some info on how to do this and that mostly they should be fine but if you're in there, might as well do it.

My '05 that I bought in May, has 196k mi on it. I need to do the timing belt etc etc. I would like to change any seal accessible when this is done.
I would do this myself, but don't have any help. I have got some quotes from dealers and independents.

What drives me nuts is the charge for parts. Most are about $465.
There is no way the parts cost over $250 retail.

If you say you will provide parts, the say the install warranty is void.

So the search for a good honest mechanic continues. Or just pay the markup on parts...which is really paying for a warranty. Which the best is 24k/24mo

 

[fulltimervexplorer]

If your going to be towing 20k miles a year like you mention in your other thread, transmission fluid exchange would be a good idea. Make sure your trans cooler is flowing good and you could put a small push fan on it to keep some air moving across it during slow speed conditions. You can either put in an analog guage to monitor trans temps or use an OBDII device.

I am interested in adding that little fan . Is there a write up on this and is it on a switch or always running?

 

[4RunnerAquasport]

I am interested in adding that little fan . Is there a write up on this and is it on a switch or always running?

Well, the pic in my post is just my half ass rig that I installed with plumbing strap to fasten the fan in front of the cooler. It has been a solid mount though, and I beat this truck quite regularly. Here is the fan that fit my stock trans cooler:
Unusual Activity Detected - Free Shipping on Orders Over $99 at Summit Racing
Derale makes good fans as well, I have one on my 5th gen:
Tornado
As far as control, you can either put in a temp sensor with an auto switch, that has to be plumbed somewhere into your trans fluid hose then it will turn on the fan at a preset temperature. Here is one example:
Unusual Activity Detected - Free Shipping on Orders Over $99 at Summit Racing
or you can put in a manual switch and there may be more options I'm not aware of.

I never tow and only want the fan to run when the trans gets overly hot during off road sessions. I have the Bluetooth OBDII Android app Torque Pro to monitor the trans temperatures. I mainly need the fan when I'm having to go through heavy sand and there is not much air flow at the slow speeds typically found in this situation, but it raises your temps quick and they will stay there.
But I don't need the fan all the time, and didn't want the battery/Alt drain, so I opted to direct wire mine with a fuse straight to the battery and a switch inside the cab. The switch I used was a cheap push button that fits in our empty slots either on the dash or on the console.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0117B189M/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Make sure if you go this route it isn't for a 5th gen as it's a different size.

The Auto switch will most likely be your best bet, given your driving/towing needs.
Oh and there are a few OBDII monitoring systems to consider for this task, which you have probably heard of, or are currently using. Stand alone units like Ultra Gauge have been around for awhile. There are several BT apps now but you'll have to research if they actually give you accurate trans temps.
Torque Pro has a couple quirks but it's worked pretty well and has customizable views and gauges, and it will read and clear DTCs. I put mine on an old tablet.

Here is the set up I settled on in my 5th gen with my tablet and Yaesu on an Arkon seat mount. I can navigate and do weather on it as well.

 

[4RunnerMexico]

If you're going for the while you are in there mentality...
At 180k I'd go ahead and replace the fan bracket and alternator brushes.


Fan Bracket: AISIN FBT002 off of RockAuto works well

Alternator Brushes: If you're still running your OEM Denso and the bearings are good, this will save you a headache in 40-50k. Pulling the alternator out and replacing these during a timing belt really only adds about 15 minutes of your time. Just pull alt. and remove 3 8mm nuts on the back.

TOYOTA: 27370-20130

 

[Roamed YT]

Alternator Brushes: If you're still running your OEM Denso and the bearings are good, this will save you a headache in 40-50k. Pulling the alternator out and replacing these during a timing belt really only adds about 15 minutes of your time. Just pull alt. and remove 3 8mm nuts on the back.

TOYOTA: 27370-20130

That's not a bad idea!

Mine is currently in pieces in the garage as it's a 3rd vehicle but typically when I do a Tbelt on a Toyota I do the belt, water pump, idler and tensioner pulleys, serp belt, plugs and replace the rad. Cam seals are dry so I'm not pulling them.

Y'know... while you're there. I'm currently doing a truck that has 256,000KM (160K miles) that had an original belt and water pump. The rad was leaking badly and the water pump has been weeping for quite some time. A bit of deferred maintenance but I seem to find them for decent prices.

 

[fulltimervexplorer]

Well, the pic in my post is just my half ass rig that I installed with plumbing strap to fasten the fan in front of the cooler. It has been a solid mount though, and I beat this truck quite regularly. Here is the fan that fit my stock trans cooler:
Unusual Activity Detected - Free Shipping on Orders Over $99 at Summit Racing
Derale makes good fans as well, I have one on my 5th gen:
Tornado
As far as control, you can either put in a temp sensor with an auto switch, that has to be plumbed somewhere into your trans fluid hose then it will turn on the fan at a preset temperature. Here is one example:
Unusual Activity Detected - Free Shipping on Orders Over $99 at Summit Racing
or you can put in a manual switch and there may be more options I'm not aware of.

I never tow and only want the fan to run when the trans gets overly hot during off road sessions. I have the Bluetooth OBDII Android app Torque Pro to monitor the trans temperatures. I mainly need the fan when I'm having to go through heavy sand and there is not much air flow at the slow speeds typically found in this situation, but it raises your temps quick and they will stay there.
But I don't need the fan all the time, and didn't want the battery/Alt drain, so I opted to direct wire mine with a fuse straight to the battery and a switch inside the cab. The switch I used was a cheap push button that fits in our empty slots either on the dash or on the console.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0117B189M/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Make sure if you go this route it isn't for a 5th gen as it's a different size.

The Auto switch will most likely be your best bet, given your driving/towing needs.
Oh and there are a few OBDII monitoring systems to consider for this task, which you have probably heard of, or are currently using. Stand alone units like Ultra Gauge have been around for awhile. There are several BT apps now but you'll have to research if they actually give you accurate trans temps.
Torque Pro has a couple quirks but it's worked pretty well and has customizable views and gauges, and it will read and clear DTCs. I put mine on an old tablet.

Here is the set up I settled on in my 5th gen with my tablet and Yaesu on an Arkon seat mount. I can navigate and do weather on it as well.

Awesome thanks for that info i think my best bet would be to have switch on mine and always run it while on the hwy and towing for long periods of time the cooler the temp stays the longer the trans will last. I need to get one of thpose obd2 blutooth readers to keep in my obd2 port so i can monotor things . So far i do not monitor any temps and have been doing this for 3 years now while towing long distances

 

[fulltimervexplorer]

That's not a bad idea!

Mine is currently in pieces in the garage as it's a 3rd vehicle but typically when I do a Tbelt on a Toyota I do the belt, water pump, idler and tensioner pulleys, serp belt, plugs and replace the rad. Cam seals are dry so I'm not pulling them.

Y'know... while you're there. I'm currently doing a truck that has 256,000KM (160K miles) that had an original belt and water pump. The rad was leaking badly and the water pump has been weeping for quite some time. A bit of deferred maintenance but I seem to find them for decent prices.

Yea a radiator might not be a bad idea actually depending on price and how much labor that adds onto my bill while doing the timing belt.

 

[oldmarsh]

my 97 has 184k and not a drop of oil.

 

[AuSeeker]

Awesome thanks for that info i think my best bet would be to have switch on mine and always run it while on the hwy and towing for long periods of time the cooler the temp stays the longer the trans will last. I need to get one of thpose obd2 blutooth readers to keep in my obd2 port so i can monotor things . So far i do not monitor any temps and have been doing this for 3 years now while towing long distances

If you put the pusher fan on a manual switch make sure you use a power source that is hot only when the ignition switch is on or your risk draining your battery if you wire it direct to the battery, etc. if you forget to turn off the fan when stopping for a while or parking it.