I bought my 2001 Limited 4 months ago and am (obviously) in love. So in love that I don't want to waste any time fixing a few things that I've noticed. I want to spend some money on a new suspension/tires/roof rack, but also want to make sure I'll be driving this thing for a long time. It's at 140k and I don't think the timing belt has ever been replaced, after reading about the V6 being non-interference I'm thinking about just running it a while longer or until it breaks (I have AAA). I noticed a "squeal" under the hood and believe I've pinpointed it to the alternator. I've loosened and tightened it but nothing fixes it which leads me to believe the bearing is going bad. I have new NGK plugs and wires ready to go in as well as a new air filter. Should I just take a weekend and do all of this? Run it until the timing belt breaks? What are the consequences of an alternator "going"?
Blow and Go?
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steezemcqueen
Moderator
Weirdest. Thread title. Ever
Hepar
New member
Yes, you can run until your timing belt breaks and it will just leave you stranded on the side of the road. The one thing you probably would want to think about is that the water pump is done at the same time and that can have consequences if that starts leaking and you don't fix it.
As far as the alternator, same think as the timing belt. Nothing is really going to happen if it goes. You'll just be stuck.
As far as the alternator, same think as the timing belt. Nothing is really going to happen if it goes. You'll just be stuck.
Kung
New member
Glad someone said it before me.
TheDurk
Elite Member
As far as the alternator...there is a certain point where the drive belts wear down and start to slip...and no amount of tightening will stop it. For me, it was 120K, shortly before I did my TB. New accessory belts solved the squeal.
While many of these TB's go 160k or longer, there is no guarantee that bad things won't happen if it lets go at speed. They can get wrapped around pulleys, etc. and do damage. The water pumps probably have a shorter life span on average than the TB's. If no one ever looks in there, a WP leak can surprise you. If you look at the YT mega-thread on TB life, most of the TB failures are associated with a coolant leak (Yes, I read the whole thing).
While many of these TB's go 160k or longer, there is no guarantee that bad things won't happen if it lets go at speed. They can get wrapped around pulleys, etc. and do damage. The water pumps probably have a shorter life span on average than the TB's. If no one ever looks in there, a WP leak can surprise you. If you look at the YT mega-thread on TB life, most of the TB failures are associated with a coolant leak (Yes, I read the whole thing).
96743runner
New member
If I were you, I'd take care of the maintenance first. Do the timing belt now if it needs changing...you don't want to be stranded somewhere inconvenient, whether or not you have AAA.
Ron Helmuth
Senior Member
Preserve your tranny first and foremost. Read up about the dreaded pink milkshake.
Spend a bit to replace that radiator unless you have some proof it has already been done.
You're a Limited so you're an automatic. $150ish will buy you a lot of peace of mind that you'll be driving that fine ride another 100K miles/10 years or more.
Budget for the maintenance first. Some guys have gone over 200K without doing the timing belt, but save up and get it done- to prevent a stranding.
Spend a bit to replace that radiator unless you have some proof it has already been done.
You're a Limited so you're an automatic. $150ish will buy you a lot of peace of mind that you'll be driving that fine ride another 100K miles/10 years or more.
Budget for the maintenance first. Some guys have gone over 200K without doing the timing belt, but save up and get it done- to prevent a stranding.
chimpy
New member
I bought my 2001 4R with 150,000 miles on it. I noticed a low squealing sound coming from the front of the engine. At first I dismissed it as the alternator but just to make sure ,I drove over to my buddy's shop and had him take a look/listen. Well come to find out the noise was actually coming from one of the serpentine pulleys:wow:. So needless to say , he replaced the timing belt,water pump, thermostat and pulley kit.He did the whole job(including parts) for $650 and now I feel much better knowing it is all out of the way.Next up is a trans cooler then suspension lift.
IanB
New member
Rad replacement and lower ball joints should be top of your list IMO. They are known failure points that carry heavy penalties if allowed to fail on their own. MUCH cheaper to fix these before they go, as there is a lot of resultant damages otherwise.
Timing belt could be left till it failed, but that is going to leave you stranded at some point, I'd put it on your list of things to do and get to it when you can. Do the water pump at the same time. Alternator could be just a belt, could be the alternator itself, you'll have to look into it closer. You COULD kill your battery by leaving the alternator the way it is, so don't just leave it.
Do the maintenance items 1st, mods 2nd IMO. Why pump money into a truck you can't trust?
Timing belt could be left till it failed, but that is going to leave you stranded at some point, I'd put it on your list of things to do and get to it when you can. Do the water pump at the same time. Alternator could be just a belt, could be the alternator itself, you'll have to look into it closer. You COULD kill your battery by leaving the alternator the way it is, so don't just leave it.
Do the maintenance items 1st, mods 2nd IMO. Why pump money into a truck you can't trust?
Great eye. My Dad and I have been restoring it for the past 7 years and it should be road ready this coming spring.
I was told the Lower Ball Joints were replaced under a recall less than a year ago. Can anyone confirm that this was a recall/warranty item? An external tranny cooler is definitely on the list.
Thanks everyone!
