I just got a 2004 4WD 6 cylinder yesterday. It's beautiful and I am so excited. I have searched around and haven't found the answer. Does it have a timing chain or a belt? I read in one place that it was a chain but I thought I better check it here to make sure. I'd hate to lose the engine on this beautiful car. I'm sure I'll have more questions over the next few days.
6 cylinder timing belt or chain?
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oljedi11950
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v6
Chain, serpentine belt .
Chain, serpentine belt .
I don't think I have ever seen it suggested that a timing chain be changed as part of routine maintenance. Is it the same for Toyota?
No vehicle in the history of the automobile has ever had a maintenance schedule for a timing chain. You shouldn't even consider worrying about a timing chain until 250k+ miles. Timing chains aren't prone to break like a belt is. They are prone to stretching over time. When a timing chain stretches it can jump a tooth or two. And since this is a interference engine it could cause significant damage to the engine (specifically the valves). When a chain starts to stretch they tend to rattle a little. So if you start to hear rattling then you might consider replacing the chain. Keep up on your oil changes and it should be a long time before the chain gives you any sign of needing replacing.
Belts on the other hand need to be replaced. They don't stretch like a chain does. They will break over time. And I've seen belts that had 100k miles on them and looked perfectly fine...then 1 week later they break.. And since this is an interference engine...you really want to make sure that doesn't happen. So just replace the belt according to the recommended schedule (most vehicles are around 105k miles these days).
Replacing a chain is significantly more costly. While they both do the same function (keep the pistons and valves in time)....there are some differences. Because the chain is metal (moving metal)...it needs to be lubricated. So now you introduced oil passages and gaskets to the equation. Most vehicles you have to drop to oil pan to do a chain replacement. Not something the average back-yard mechanic will even attempt to tackle. If you keep your vehicle long enough...eventually you may need to have the chain replaced. And the cost is going to be 4-5 times the cost of a belt.
Belts on the other hand need to be replaced. They don't stretch like a chain does. They will break over time. And I've seen belts that had 100k miles on them and looked perfectly fine...then 1 week later they break.. And since this is an interference engine...you really want to make sure that doesn't happen. So just replace the belt according to the recommended schedule (most vehicles are around 105k miles these days).
Replacing a chain is significantly more costly. While they both do the same function (keep the pistons and valves in time)....there are some differences. Because the chain is metal (moving metal)...it needs to be lubricated. So now you introduced oil passages and gaskets to the equation. Most vehicles you have to drop to oil pan to do a chain replacement. Not something the average back-yard mechanic will even attempt to tackle. If you keep your vehicle long enough...eventually you may need to have the chain replaced. And the cost is going to be 4-5 times the cost of a belt.
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Thanks. You probably saved me some embarrassment with the guy that does my mechanic work.
I took it off road today and had a blast around a local lake. I actually went between a couple of trees that probably cleared an inch on each side. This is gonna be a blast.
I have the plain old stereo that has a broken CD. It fills a big hole in the dash. Does anybody have a suggestion? I would like to find a combined stereo/ navigation system that sounds good and doesn't cost a million bucks. Does anybody have something like that?
I took it off road today and had a blast around a local lake. I actually went between a couple of trees that probably cleared an inch on each side. This is gonna be a blast.
I have the plain old stereo that has a broken CD. It fills a big hole in the dash. Does anybody have a suggestion? I would like to find a combined stereo/ navigation system that sounds good and doesn't cost a million bucks. Does anybody have something like that?
