Knock Sensor Failed... Worth it to do timing belt at the same time?

D

denvermaxd

New member
My beloved 2000 4Runner SR5 threw the CEL the other day at the end of a mountain drive. I thought it was probably my MAF again (just had to clean it a few weeks ago), but the error code was P0325.

Cleared the code and hoped for bad gas or anomaly, but CEL was back on within a few miles. I'm planning to do the knock sensor replacement myself, following a couple of good DIYs in this forum.

However, I was wondering if I should also do the timing belt while I have the supercharger and top of the engine off, coolant drained, etc? I'm at 208,000 miles, and the belt was done at 115,000 according to the badge on the engine. Is there any advantage/disadvantage to doing both jobs at once?

I'm probably going to go ahead and replace the valve cover gaskets while I'm in there, so the entire top will be off.

Anything else I should do while I'm in there?
 
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you are already tearing into the engine might as well. If it were me I would do the complete timing belt kit.
 
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denvermaxd said:
My beloved 2000 4Runner SR5 threw the CEL the other day at the end of a mountain drive. I thought it was probably my MAF again (just had to clean it a few weeks ago), but the error code was P0325.

Cleared the code and hoped for bad gas or anomaly, but CEL was back on within a few miles. I'm planning to do the knock sensor replacement myself, following a couple of good DIYs in this forum.

However, I was wondering if I should also do the timing belt while I have the supercharger and top of the engine off, coolant drained, etc? I'm at 208,000 miles, and the belt was done at 115,000 according to the badge on the engine. Is there any advantage/disadvantage to doing both jobs at once?

I'm probably going to go ahead and replace the valve cover gaskets while I'm in there, so the entire top will be off.

Anything else I should do while I'm in there?
Click to expand...

Having the top off is no help on the TB, which is done from the front. You gain on the coolant, and I assume there is a belt that drives the SC and all aux. belts come off. Neither is a big deal.
 
I would definitely do VCs but ^that about timing. doesn't help

some will say nay but if it were me and i was digging in to knock sensors and within range of a Head gasket going, I'd do HGs while in there. its a pain in the arse but it'd be done and there is little else you'd have to dig in that deep to short of a complete rebuild. HGs are effected by timing as you have to pull cams.
:cheers:
 
One time I ordered an 'OEM' brand timing belt kit on eBay because it was a little bit cheaper.

It arrived, it was all 'OEM' brand. As in, the brand name on all the generic white boxes was 'OEM'. Har har har, you got me. Real funny.

I returned it, got a real OEM kit from Aircabinman.
 
denvermaxd said:
I was going to order this because I thought it was "OEM":

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073MRBS13/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?smid=A261H57PVQ5RPO&psc=1

But now I'm starting to realize that they are actually "aftermarket", and if I want genuine Toyota knock sensors, I'm looking at $167/sensor instead of $24 for the pair.

Is this right? Can someone confirm that Toyota knock sensors are typically $150+?
Click to expand...
Denso is the original equipment manufacturer for a lot of Toyota parts. If you want to pay 200% extra for the Toyota logo on the box go buy it from a dealer. Otherwise, I wouldn't hesitate to put Denso or AISIN branded parts on my 4Runner.

Btw, if you do decide to change the timing belt Rock Auto sells the full AISIN kit with water pump, tensioner, pullies, etc for a good price. Aircabinman on Ebay also has good bundle deals with other parts. I would go ahead and take care of everything while you are in there.

Sent from my RS988 using Tapatalk
 
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Having never done this myself but have heard from others, get OEM sensors plus the wire harness. It doesn't seem to be a job one wants to repeatedly do.
 
I'm all for doing as much as you can while you are in there, for the peace of mind if nothing else.

I just tore the front of the engine off on my '99 only to find that the gasket on the water pump was the source of antifreeze leakage. Because I already had the parts, I replaced the timing belt, idlers and tensioner, water pump, and thermostat. The thermostat I pulled out was dated 7/99, so it was still original.

I also replaced all the drive belts.
 
JohnMc said:
One time I ordered an 'OEM' brand timing belt kit on eBay because it was a little bit cheaper.

It arrived, it was all 'OEM' brand. As in, the brand name on all the generic white boxes was 'OEM'. Har har har, you got me. Real funny.

I returned it, got a real OEM kit from Aircabinman.
Click to expand...

:sniper: ohh man that would piss me off
 
LittleCaesar said:
Having never done this myself but have heard from others, get OEM sensors plus the wire harness. It doesn't seem to be a job one wants to repeatedly do.
Click to expand...

This is very good advise to get the pigtail harness for the knock sensor, as the plastic connectors tend to break when disconnected them due to becoming brittle from the heat.
 
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