My 90K Service

[xStePheNyz]

Hey everyone, well at 89,5XX miles I called my mechanic and made the appointment to drop off my 4runner on monday for the service. It's a 2001 Limited, 4X4, with the TRD supercharger installed when it was new. I am the original owner.
Here is a list of the things I made for my mechanic. I welcome any comments you all have if you think I may have overlooked something or, if you think i'm doing something not so necessary.

Timing Belt, Water Pump, and related. This also includes the idler pulley, tensioner, thermostat, cam seals, crank seal, and crank bolt. I have all the parts already!

Replace radiator and heater hoses, flush radiator and new coolant.

Tranny fluid change.

Power steering fluid change - our 4runners take ATF fluid not power steering fluid!

Brake service. Going to see if we can possible squeeze another 10K miles out of the original brakes. If not, new pads, new shoes, new brake fluid.

Front & Rear Differential service, and transfer case too.

I asked him to inspect the charcoal canister and clean with compressed air if necessary, and to clean the breather for the rear differential and also check the breather extension. I picked myself up a pair of rear axle seals so i have them in case i need them in the future but hopefully a good cleaning there will prevent that from happening.

Also, my sway bar has a rust issue, which is the result of that being where the AC drips water on it. So that will have to be fixed up.

No doubt this is a TON of work but hopefully it will not be tooooo bad as I already have all the parts unless something unexpected comes up.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

 

[bju96]

Holy smokes...as mine has 87,xxx on it, I guess I should keep this list handy...

 

[xStePheNyz]

i just don't know if i am overdoing things or not. i would obviously like to keep my 4runner for the long haul but if at some point I have to sell it I think a detailed receipt showing this maintenance done will help alot.

I know that Toyota parts and build quality are the best but even so, some things wear out over time. I think it's most important to prevent an overheat....from a blown hose or thermostat or something like that when a few bucks of maintenance could prevent a catastrophe down the road.

One thing I am wondering, because I am not a mechanic and never owned a vehicle for a long time in the past, if anyone knows is there a preventive maintenance to be done on the AC unit?

 

[TheDurk]

I just passed 120,000 on my '99. I did all the fluids you mention at 90k, except coolant which had been done at 75k with the red stuff, and then I did it again now. Everything else you mention I just did. I could have gone even longer on the hoses, water-pump and T-belt. The brakes and the other three belts were due. Did you forget the auxiliary belts? Or is that in 'related'? They are worth doing if you are going to do the water pump/T-belt. I also did gas filter, plugs and wires, and PCV piecemeal between 90K and 120K. I did all this myself, so it was easier to spread it all out.

If you read the T-belt threads, I think there is a good case that 90K is overkill on the 3.4L as long as your WP is sound. But it's your choice.

 

[xStePheNyz]

I just passed 120,000 on my '99. I did all the fluids you mention at 90k, except coolant which had been done at 75k with the red stuff, and then I did it again now. Everything else you mention I just did. I could have gone even longer on the hoses, water-pump and T-belt. The brakes and the other three belts were due. Did you forget the auxiliary belts? Or is that in 'related'? They are worth doing if you are going to do the water pump/T-belt. I also did gas filter, plugs and wires, and PCV piecemeal between 90K and 120K. I did all this myself, so it was easier to spread it all out.

If you read the T-belt threads, I think there is a good case that 90K is overkill on the 3.4L as long as your WP is sound. But it's your choice.
__________________

I have the supercharger and so the supercharger belt replaced the alternator belt, by that i mean the alternator runs off the supercharger. I replaced the SC and the other 2 belts at 50K miles. So I figured I would replace those 3 again in another 10K miles, at 100K. I did the fuel filter at 75K so i am going to let that go. The PCV valve i just had them do at the last oil change. I was planning on doing the plugs and wires along with the supercharger oil service at 100K, because the SC is going to have to come off anyway to get to all the plugs. I have read some of the threads too about pushing that timing belt water pump to 120K but i just think since Toyota recommends it best not to push them beyond that 90K....since they are both critical i figure better safe than sorry on these parts. I also live in Florida and many items do not last as long as the manufacturers recommend because of the climate. For example the roads are so hot all the time tires just never last as long as they say they will. Same for battery, anything over 3 years on a battery is a bonus.

 

[toytech76]

WAYYYYY overdoing it. There is no need to replace the crank bolt, hoses (unless they are cracked or have soft spots) seals (unless they are leaking) and idler bearings (unless they are noisy). Thats a crap load of money you can put somewhere else. We have customers who have 200K on their 3.4's and have original wires, hoses, ect ect without any problems. I mean I guess if you have extra money sitting around and feel like spending it, sure. otherwise I would say, save it and have your blower serviced, brakes upgraded, ect.

 

[Houston]

Got 268k on my 97 with all the original hoses. My friend has 260k all original hoses and original waterpump (Incredible, mine had 213k when replaced by previous owner). My extensive binder of maintenance records show that the cam seals and the crank seal have never been replaced and no signs of leakage (same goes for my friends 98, same owner since new).


I talked to my friends dad (a Toyota tech since 1989, currently a master tech) he gave me a list of important things for the 5vzfe.

Timing belt every 90K
Coolant and thermostat 90K
Belts and other fluids inspected.
Transfer Case, Differential, Manual Transmission fluid 90K

Timing belt and tension pulley 180K
Water pump, thermostat, Coolant 180K

He told me that the 5vzfe had more valve cover leaks than cam seals or crank seals, but when doing the clutch he recommends still doing the rear main seal. He said a lot of the services are nice but not needed on the 5vzfe, your more likely to get into a car accident and total it than to develop a cam seal leak over 90k. Mechanic's love replacing parts though and they will do whatever you ask with some $$$, even if you don't need it.

One of my favorite preventive maintenance things is the battery. Overlooked and easy. I buy the most expensive lead acid battery and change to a new one every two years, with less wear on the battery it holds the full capacity of amps and the voltage does not drop as much causing strain on the starter and keeps the alternator happy. I bet you I get 300K in the next two years with all of my original hoses. (Let me know if you'll let me get your old ones I'll pay shipping! lol)

 

[TheDurk]

Got 268k on my 97 with all the original hoses. My friend has 260k all original hoses and original waterpump (Incredible, mine had 213k when replaced by previous owner). My extensive binder of maintenance records show that the cam seals and the crank seal have never been replaced and no signs of leakage (same goes for my friends 98, same owner since new).


I talked to my friends dad (a Toyota tech since 1989, currently a master tech) he gave me a list of important things for the 5vzfe.

Timing belt every 90K
Coolant and thermostat 90K
Belts and other fluids inspected.
Transfer Case, Differential, Manual Transmission fluid 90K

Timing belt and tension pulley 180K
Water pump, thermostat, Coolant 180K

He told me that the 5vzfe had more valve cover leaks than cam seals or crank seals, but when doing the clutch he recommends still doing the rear main seal. He said a lot of the services are nice but not needed on the 5vzfe, your more likely to get into a car accident and total it than to develop a cam seal leak over 90k. Mechanic's love replacing parts though and they will do whatever you ask with some $$$, even if you don't need it.

One of my favorite preventive maintenance things is the battery. Overlooked and easy. I buy the most expensive lead acid battery and change to a new one every two years, with less wear on the battery it holds the full capacity of amps and the voltage does not drop as much causing strain on the starter and keeps the alternator happy. I bet you I get 300K in the next two years with all of my original hoses. (Let me know if you'll let me get your old ones I'll pay shipping! lol)

Interesting. I have owned my '99 since new. I changed my WP, belts and hoses at 120K and ten years. I hope not to go in there again until 20 years and 240K. I think thats a lot to expect of a hose, a belt, or a WP. (A/C belt was starting to squeal even with good tension.) Whereas I KNOW TB at 90K is overkill--I could have gone longer than 120k.

I ran my OE Panasonic battery 7 years and I have no regrets. This thing starts in about a half sec and I could care less what full capacity is. Send me your old batteries, I'll use them in my tractor. Meanwhile, my hoses and belts I will keep for emergency spares.

I agree with you on crank and cam seals. I won't change them (I did buy them) until they show signs of a leak. I think we have to agree to disagree on the others.

Oh, and are you suggesting running your coolant for 90k? or is there a change halfway through?

 

[bju96]

I changed my WP, belts and hoses at 120K and ten years.

When you say "and ten years", are you suggesting that there is a time element to keep in mind in addition to mileage? My 1996 has only 87k on it, so seeing as how many here feel doing the TB at 90k is overkill I figured I would be good for a while longer, but should I be thinking about replacing it anyway because my truck is 13 years old and is on the original TB?

 

[xStePheNyz]

i just do not know and i am not a mechanic. but i have had several people tell me that hoses are sorta like tires....a store cannot legally sell a hose that is sitting on the shelf over 5 years, that is their shelf life. Like an old tire it will suffer from dry rot. I am in Florida, and not sure how things are in other states and climates. But the radiator hoses are only a few dollars a piece. The water pump is being changed and so is the coolant so it's a perfectly good time to just replace those hoses. They've had coolant flowing through them for 8 and a half years. Considering the cost of prevention versus the cost of a cracked hose while driving and overheating the engine, it just seemed to me to be worth it. I guess maybe i am over-doing it what with the crank and cam seals. My only thoughts was reading on the board that other people have done it and that these things are only accessible with the timing belt-water pump area exposed. As I said i am not a mechanic and have a private mechanic doing this work, and i know it is a lot of work to just get to the timing belt-water pump area so i thought he is going to be in there any way and it is just not an easy or accessible area to get to, might as well do what could or should be done while in there.

 

[JohnsD90]

When you say "and ten years", are you suggesting that there is a time element to keep in mind in addition to mileage? My 1996 has only 87k on it, so seeing as how many here feel doing the TB at 90k is overkill I figured I would be good for a while longer, but should I be thinking about replacing it anyway because my truck is 13 years old and is on the original TB?

IF the vehicle consistantly ran everyday you are fine, instead of it ran for 7 years than sat in a barn with little milage over the next 4 years then i would say replace it.

 

[TheDurk]

When you say "and ten years", are you suggesting that there is a time element to keep in mind in addition to mileage? My 1996 has only 87k on it, so seeing as how many here feel doing the TB at 90k is overkill I figured I would be good for a while longer, but should I be thinking about replacing it anyway because my truck is 13 years old and is on the original TB?

Yes, I agree with x..... above as far as hoses and accessory belts go time does matter. Toyota belts and hoses seem very durable, but I deal with a lot of old equipment--some very low mileage--and at about 15 years hoses start to go, especially at the clamps on the engine side. These problems are not easily seen. The TB seems to be a very durable and protected item AS LONG as no coolant is leaking on to it. I honestly believe, based on all I have read on here, that it is more important to open up the TB area to check for leaks than it is to change the timing belt. At 13 years and 90k, I'd feel more comfortable knowing what was going on in there. I would actually be less worried about the belt wear itself than possibility of a WP leak.

 

[RR90]

I'm a big proponant of regular maintenance - I'm on my second Toyota in 20yrs. I think there's some overkill doing things early "just because" like hoses, belts, plugs if there's no early signs of wear. The TB on the other hand, you can't see without pulling half the engine apart. I had one go out on my Toyota pkup around 100k, and it ripped up a bunch of things when it broke, plus bent the valves. It was a costly "wait & see" mistake on my end. So I now replace TB's on schedule or before. If you're having a mechanic do it, it's worth doing the wp at the same time while they have everything apart.

 

[toytech76]

I'm a big proponant of regular maintenance - I'm on my second Toyota in 20yrs. I think there's some overkill doing things early "just because" like hoses, belts, plugs if there's no early signs of wear. The TB on the other hand, you can't see without pulling half the engine apart. I had one go out on my Toyota pkup around 100k, and it ripped up a bunch of things when it broke, plus bent the valves. It was a costly "wait & see" mistake on my end. So I now replace TB's on schedule or before. If you're having a mechanic do it, it's worth doing the wp at the same time while they have everything apart.

And lets reiderate.....the 3.4's 3.0's in trucks and 4runners and 4cyl engines in the cars are not interferance motors. The 22re's timing chain motors are. Tundra V8's are as well. So what truck did you have that bent valves????

 

[theizzardking]

so does anyone actually go by the regular maintenance schedule included with thier ride? what about greasing prop shafts for us 4x4 guys and inspecting chassis nuts and bolts? cv greasing as well?

i can copy the list of 90K service and 120K service recommendation if you guys would like .

fyi i just did all of my belts and water pump at 187K no previous replacement of any of it. the belt was cracked but probably could have lasted another few months or so, i drive 90 miles a day to work and back as well as the usual errands, i bought my runner from my rents and they were the first owners, i have alot of catch up maintenance to do!

 

[RR90]

And lets reiderate.....the 3.4's 3.0's in trucks and 4runners and 4cyl engines in the cars are not interferance motors. The 22re's timing chain motors are. Tundra V8's are as well. So what truck did you have that bent valves????

It was the 22re - 4cyl. So it likely was the interferance motor, I had several people tell me to get the tc replaced way before it broke. I was just young and stupid, so I put it off and paid the price.

 

[lmtdgov]

And lets reiderate.....the 3.4's 3.0's in trucks and 4runners and 4cyl engines in the cars are not interferance motors. The 22re's timing chain motors are. Tundra V8's are as well. So what truck did you have that bent valves????

thanks for posting this info. Was wondering if the tb was an interference belt or not. Glad to hear it is a not. I'm at 107k and will probably leave the tb and wp until 120 or maybe even 150k if everything seems to be working well.

How difficult is it to inspect the tb for wear and the wp for leaks?