If you have changed your own timing belt ...Oil seal

[NOT ME OR SOMEBODY]

I'm going to change the timing belt, water pump, idlers, tensioner, thermostat, and other 3 belts soon on my Runner.

If you have done a timing belt exchange did you find that the seals on the cams or the crank were leaking?

Is it a common thing for this engine to leaks a these seals?

I'm trying to decide if I should go ahead and change the seals even if the are not leaking when I get it apart, or just leave them alone.

I am a Toyota tech. and have been for 14 years, but do not work on Toyotas. ( thats a riddle for you to figure out )


3.4 V6,with 102,000 miles or so on the original belt / other stuff as far as I know.

 

[TheDurk]

I bought them, but they were tight as a drum when I did everything else at 120K so I left them alone. The seals are there in my spares box. I will probably change them next time (at about 240k and 18 years). I really think this way about this truck.

You will find two schools of thought. Many people will always change them.
Others are of the 'leave well enough alone' view and change them only if they leak. I think most dealers adhere to this. Not that that proves anything.

 

[choken]

I'm on my 3rd timing belt, water pump, ect at 289K. I bought the seals years ago , but never replaced them as they have never leaked !

 

[matthinnant]

I changed my belts and crankshaft seals around 145k but the seals werent leaking I read in chilton manual thats one of the suggested items to change out when you do your timing belt and all that just b/c you have to take all that stuff out anyways mind as well do a new water pump and seals so you dont have to pay dealership to go back in or take time out of your day to do it yourself. I also did it because I was deploying and the fiance was gonna be driving the beast and I didnt want anything messing up so I guess its your call I wouldnt have done it if it wasnt for this deployment and wanting it taken care of.

 

[trailmix]

I did the tbelt on my 96 that i just got a few weeks ago and it all looked original at 196k. I bought the oem tbelt kit off ebay and it had all the seals in it. My cam seals and crank seal was seeping a little oil so i did everything. Its good insurance and only takes maybe 10 minutes to change all 3 so why not do it while its apart. Even if they are dry id replace them cause they will leak eventually.

 

[Blackdot]

I did them on mine, my cam seals looked perfect but my crank seal had a little weepage. Mine was at 200K.

 

[NOT ME OR SOMEBODY]

Thanks to everyone,

Seems they are not prone to common leaks as some have some high miles on them and are ok or leak just a little.

I will give them a good look while in there and probably only change them if they show signs of leaking.

I hope the crankshaft pulley comes off ok.

 

[turbofreak]

Inspect the seals. If leaking replace the seals otherwise, if it ain't broke don't break it.

 

[Blackdot]

Thanks to everyone,

Seems they are not prone to common leaks as some have some high miles on them and are ok or leak just a little.

I will give them a good look while in there and probably only change them if they show signs of leaking.

I hope the crankshaft pulley comes off ok.

I had to use a puller to get my pulley off, then sanded all the rough stuff down with superfine sandpaper