How many years on a timing belt?

[mreloc]

I have an 01 sport 4WD with 45k miles on it. I'm going to drive it across the country, so I'm preparing to have all the differentials and transfer case drained and refilled, transmission flushed. Thinking about the timing belt and water pump, just given the truck is 12 years old... I replaced the radiator, just because, last Spring, so the coolant is pretty good, I think..

Overkill on the timing belt or should I just do it?

 

[ICD]

Wouldn't go by years. How does it look is a better question, is it cracked or dried?

I'd replace it just for piece of mind

 

[BrianSD_42]

agreed

 

[nissanh]

What I heard is 60 K miles or every 5 years. I;ll do about 12 years or 60 K miles

My car had its original belt 170 K miles (I think) and 17 years old!!! It was cracked to the max and was in yellow color!

 

[lilsid112]

Personally Id do 10 yr or 100k on all of our cars.

 

[BrianSD_42]

Personally Id do 10 yr or 100k on all of our cars.

yeah its 60 miles for a Toyota 4Runner.

 

[xcmtb83]

If it was mine I would replace it along with anything else that might be due while I am in there. I also do my own work so it is easy to recommend that the job be done, not sure about your situation. Mainly out of curiousity, does the vehicle not get driven a lot or does it get driven on very short regular trips?

 

[mreloc]

Thanks for the replies- I'm going to have it all done- I generally do my own work, but I just don't have enough hours in the day this time, given I'm getting ready to move to CA :wave: I'm probably going to have the dealer do it all, that way it will be tracked by my VIN, and I can be sure they use Toyota stuff - price bugs me, but oh well.

As far as history, I just bought it last spring, but I'm figured it was owned by an old couple- it is immaculate, and came complete with safety reflectors stuck all over the bumper and mudflaps hwell: probably didn't get driven very much or hard.

 

[Singtoe]

Non interference engine. Save you money, wait until the water pump starts leaking.

Could be another 100 to 200k miles. Or it could be 25, just pay attention to any leaks or odors.


The Dealer will charge a couple grand to do this job.

Just my opinion.

 

[mreloc]

Yeah, just not wanting to be caught stranded somewhere in New Mexico :deadhorse:

Dealer quoted me $650 for timing belt alone, $900 to throw in water pump. $75 each for diiffs and transfer case drain and refills, and $159 for12 qt transmission flush... So all in all, seems pretty fair, considering its the dealer.

 

[ultimatt]

according to the FSM the service interval is 90K miles or 72 months. The allowable shop hours to replace the timing belt is 3.3 hours if your car has AC, without AC it is 2.8 hours.

The timing belt costs $55 the water pump is around $100. Advise that you have them replace all the exterior drive belts as you will ony pay for parts to get this done during the timing belt service (about $30).

Find out what the dealer charges per hour...$650 seems high, that would indicate their hourly labor charge is around $174. Ask them to break down the cost, sounds like they are charging more that Toyota allows for the job. No way water pump should add $300 to the job...maybe $150 max.

 

[mreloc]

Thanks ultimatt... Awesome advice!

 

[RonMAIDEN]

I finally got around to changing mine at 138k miles and 12 years and my mechanic said it still looked surprisingly in good shape. I did the whole she-bang when I did my belt including the water pump and new tensioner and seals and of course factor in a radiator flush and new fluids and I think mine was between $8-900. I'll look for my receipt to be sure.

 

[lilsid112]

yeah its 60 miles for a Toyota 4Runner.

My dealer and local mechanic have all stated 90k for the timing belt. The dealer suggests 60k if our cars are in extreme weather conditions.

 

[shadow247]

It's pretty easy to just pull the top cover off and do a visual inspection of the belt. There's 6 10mm nuts, remove the upper hose clamp and slide it down the hose. You can then slide the upper cover off and visually inspect the timing belt. If it looks good and not worn, I would just wait to change it until you have time to do it yourself.

 

[LittleCaesar]

Going on 15 years on the original one with only 105,000 miles on it though. My 4runner may see 5,000 miles in a year.

+1 for all who say that the water pump is the more likely one to fail first.

 

[Preto789]

I'm kinda afraid to say it but just bought mine and its got 217k on the factory belt (actually doesn't look too bad).. like others have said if it fails its a non interference type motor wont be the end of the world, just wouldn't wanna be stranded either.. your call there bud. Have a safe trip!

 

[jc1kz]

I bought my '01 T4R in 2003 @ 32000 miles and have yet to replace the T-belt, the
T4R has 156000 now and still running strong......

 

[bdstokes1]

timing belt

I have 166k on my 2002 and never changed anything yet...but considering it now just because...like the others say, be sure and do the water pump, seals, and tensioners too...it's all there and one labor charge...if the belt was to break other than the inconvienance of being stranded there will be no harm to the engine...it'll just quit...considering your trip, I'd do it now. Nothing like a little peace of mind...

 

[Mpls80210]

I had mine done at 128k a few weeks ago - 2001 sport. I bought a radiator from go parts and had the mechanic install it while he was doing everything else (figured it was cheap insurance against the dreaded strawberry milkshake). I got the radiator install, new radiator hoses, t belt, water pump, accessory drive belts and a transmission flush as well as transfer case drain and fill. Total bill came to $990 + 140 for the radiator. I had the diffs serviced last fall, thus their omission from the servicing.

Hoping this is all ill need to do for a while.