Recently purchased an 03 Limited with the V8. So I have it understood that Toyota recommends the belt to be replaced every 90k miles and I know that the engine is an interference engine so I know what a broken timing belt will do to the engine. Vehicle currently has 104k miles on it and it’s been garage kept and maintained at a Toyota dealer it’s whole life. Should I be worried? My foreman who used to be a tech for Toyota for 15 years says not to worry and not to go changing it because he’s never ever seen one break. He said he wouldn’t even bother with replacing it. I’m thinking about replacing it around 140-150k hopefully my money is right then. What are your guys thoughts? How long have you gone with an original belt on your 4Runner?
How long have you gone without replacing your timing belt?
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volkinator
New member
I bought my 07 with 70k on it in 2018. So the belt was at least 11 years old. I was more worried about degradation than 'wear' and it's also the Water Pump/thermostat that you're changing. Figured it was a good reason to do a coolant flush as well. There's lots of things your doing with that belt at the same time. And if you do it yourself it's really not difficult nor expensive. You'll find people have never changed it with 250k or there's a few in my area that have had it break at 150k... YMMV but I'd rather do preventative work; it's cheaper than an all out repair...
JustDucky59
New member
belt life
I'm ashamed to admit this... but never once has my timing belt been replaced.
My wife and I have had this amazing vehicle since she bought it new in 2004. It turned 300,000 miles two weeks ago.
It's not that I don't want to change the belt, it's just that there is always something more important to do with the $1,000. And I suspect it's beyond my wrenching abilities...
Now that I think about, I just replaced the original plugs in it about 5,000 miles ago. Wasn't much left to the plugs, as you could imagine. I do find it odd that the truck doesn't run any better or worse... other than it's gained me 2 mpg fuel-wise....
I cannot begin to explain how much I have come to love and respect this 4 Runner.
I'm ashamed to admit this... but never once has my timing belt been replaced.
My wife and I have had this amazing vehicle since she bought it new in 2004. It turned 300,000 miles two weeks ago.
It's not that I don't want to change the belt, it's just that there is always something more important to do with the $1,000. And I suspect it's beyond my wrenching abilities...
Now that I think about, I just replaced the original plugs in it about 5,000 miles ago. Wasn't much left to the plugs, as you could imagine. I do find it odd that the truck doesn't run any better or worse... other than it's gained me 2 mpg fuel-wise....
I cannot begin to explain how much I have come to love and respect this 4 Runner.
Totally feel you man. Your post actually gave me a lot more confidence. Toyota’s are just great vehicles that even the most basic maintenance items are like “meh” to a Toyota lol
Sweet. I shouldn’t worry then... I think I have waaaay more than enough time to save up to change it. I’m sure even when I go ahead and change it the belt will be in good conditions lol
You wouldn't happen to have the lottery numbers for this week, would you?:lmao:
My 2003 has no record of ever gettinh the belt changed before I bought it 5 years so with188000. I have 215000 miled on it now but never have the money to get it done. I used to worry about it breaking but I was told by a Toyota service advisor that even if it breaks the result is typically not catastrophic as it is for most vehicles.
I still cross my fingers
Hoping it holds until I can afford to do it. Not sure if I can do it myself but know I can't afford to pay someone to do it.
Sent from my motorola edge plus using Tapatalk
I still cross my fingers
Hoping it holds until I can afford to do it. Not sure if I can do it myself but know I can't afford to pay someone to do it.
Sent from my motorola edge plus using Tapatalk
y=mx+b
New member
The 2UZ in the v8 4runner is technically an interference engine, so when the the timing belts snaps the piston and valves could try to occupy the same space. Although I have seen from browsing here or facebook, one or two guys that have lost the belt on pre-vvti (03-04) and haven't grenaded the engine. Its certainly a risk.
Found the Facebook Post:
Snapped Belt: 4th Gen 4Runners
Running fine: 4th Gen 4Runners
Heres a T4R post: https://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-...xZvTfhoq5XNoDcHFXcJHO42OAwYXPUgVLhpiJLPxA0PT0
If you're somewhat mechanically inclined and can scrape together some cash for the parts, maybe you and a buddy could give a go at it? From what I hear, most of the money is in the labor. Unfortunately as a v6 owner I haven't done one to give my feedback on the job, but I'm sure there are a few guys on here that could give tips if you get stuck. There are a few timing belt swap writeups on here including this one: Guide: V8 Timing belt replacement 2UZ-FE VVT-i
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never been changed
2005 V6 4runner with 150,000 miles.
WP and Alternator OEM too
never had even 1 check engine lite in 15 years.
bought the tool to check the codes, but never have had to use it.
never had an overheat. never had a coolant leak.
I do change the coolant every 5 to 7 years with the best stuff.
2005 V6 4runner with 150,000 miles.
WP and Alternator OEM too
never had even 1 check engine lite in 15 years.
bought the tool to check the codes, but never have had to use it.
never had an overheat. never had a coolant leak.
I do change the coolant every 5 to 7 years with the best stuff.
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toyoman25
New member
y=mx+b
New member
You'll never have to replace your timing belt, because the v6 has a timing chain :flypig:
GoldenGoose
New member
I was in a similar situation as you. Just picked up my '03 this summer w/ ~275k miles. I didn't know how long it had been since the timing belt had been changed when I bought it, but everything else seemed to be well-maintained. I put about 1k more miles on it over the summer and it drove like a dream.
Took it to a local mechanic last month that has always done me right, and he figured out it was last changed at 90k miles! He said he'd charge me ~$750 to replace it, so I pulled the trigger on it. I figure it probably would have lasted awhile longer, but...you never know!
tl;dr - 176k miles
Took it to a local mechanic last month that has always done me right, and he figured out it was last changed at 90k miles! He said he'd charge me ~$750 to replace it, so I pulled the trigger on it. I figure it probably would have lasted awhile longer, but...you never know!
tl;dr - 176k miles
Moist
Member
200,000 miles and 21 years on the original timing belt.
It is getting changed this May.
Running like a champ for the most part. I don't want to chance the destruction of my motor.
There is no plate/sticker to indicate next change, there never has been.
The Toyota dealership I usually go to says that its original to the car.
:wacko: :wacko:
It is getting changed this May.
Running like a champ for the most part. I don't want to chance the destruction of my motor.
There is no plate/sticker to indicate next change, there never has been.
The Toyota dealership I usually go to says that its original to the car.
:wacko: :wacko:
ArthurKotb
Member
If you have the owner's service manual you'll see it's a 90,000 mile service. If your belt breaks you'll have a very large paperweight because the V8 is an interference engine, meaning the valves extend into the cylinder. A belt break means the pistons will be hammering those valves. :-(
