New 4runner -Just had diagnostic done.

[Auce]

Took it Toyota today to have a once over done. I bought my TR4 about a month ago. 2001 SR5 with 115k on the odometer. I'm not the most mechanically inclined but I have friends who are, so I'd like to know what I can do on my own. I also have no prior service records on the car unfortunately.

Brakes front at 90%
Rear Drums at 60%
All tires fine at 8/32

"Toyota recommendations"
Oil leaking - valve cover gasket $475 (i'll attack pic of leak)
Replace timing belt, drive belts and water pump $825 (nothing broken, just mileage and time for a replacement they say)
Air filter - (i know i can do myself)
Replace spark plugs (looks like a huge pain in this truck)

Mechanic buddy of mine says the following;
"Just have the timing belt done somewhere, Toyota water pumps are amazingly little pieces and they rarely break. Dealers just trying to sell stuff. The valve gasket is BS, Don't sweat that unless a large, visible leak is present. Drive belts should be replaced on a normal car every 8-10 years at most."

So overall I thought I came out with a fairly clean bill of health for my new truck. Attached is the pic of the gasket leak which I was told is very small and not to worry about it by mechanic friend.

Again, I'd like to know from all the 3rd gen pros out there what I can like me (mechanically challenged) can do here on his own to get my new truck the way it should be, thanks in advance for any help.

Valve gasket pic.

 

[fish0281]

I would certainly have the belt and water pump done by a mechanic - it's a relatively big undertaking. Contrary to what your buddy said, I would change the water pump because they definitely do fail and it's a cheap enough part, that you wouldn't want to pay the labor all over again for someone to tear it all back down just for that (the water pump labor would be equivalent to the timing belt).

The valve cover gasket doesn't look bad at all and that could even be from spilled oil - particularly considering it's just around the fill cap.

As for stuff you could do yourself, you should think about tackling the plugs (and wires). There are tons of good write-ups on here for maintenance stuff like that (and bigger projects too) and it's really not that hard, but will teach you quite a bit about wrenching along the way. One main word of caution: don't drop stuff into the cylinder while you are changing the plugs and make sure you start the plug threads by hand so you don't cross thread anything.

That's my opinion, take or leave what you want from it! Congrats on the new truck... now where are the pics of it?!

 

[djskorch]

Ok to tun through your list.

Timing belt/waterpump. this should be done every 80-90,000 miles per toyota. when was the last time it was done (should be a sticker somewhere in the engine bay)

Valve cover gaskets. These engines are known for having leaky valve covers. The bolts back out and cause the leaks. Simple retorque them down again and your problem is solved.

Belts. If there is no sign of abnormal wear or cracking, they should be fine. A full new set of belts is fairly cheap and can be done at home woth basic hand tools in an hour or less. Try to tackle this one yourself to start learning about your truck.

Spark plugs are actually pretty easy on this truck. take the entire intake hose off to make life alot easier.

Congrats on the new truck. feel free to ask questions(dont forget the search function first lol) and you will get a ton of help from this great community.

 

[BrianSD_42]

Mechanic buddy of mine says the following;
"Just have the timing belt done somewhere, Toyota water pumps are amazingly little pieces and they rarely break. Dealers just trying to sell stuff. The valve gasket is BS, Don't sweat that unless a large, visible leak is present

He is right that the Valve Cover leak is not usually looked at as a imminent danger kind of issue. However it is something you should fix within 3-6 months at the most.

About the water pump .... definitely change it out at 120+ miles as a precaution. DO NOT install a non-OEM (autozone, Kragens) waterpump. Get the Toyota part but buy it from an online parts distributor.

 

[Diverse4runner]

The valve cover bolts are prone to coming loose. Check and make sure they are not loose. Both my Dads Taco and my 4runner had a least three turns on the bolts. No more leaking after that.

 

[So Many Roads]

If you plan to keep the truck around, there are a few other preventative issues to address. Check out 4-Ripcord's excellent summary:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/82033-3rd-gen-4runner-buyer-s-guide.html#post706218

Buy a jack & mechanics socket set, these are all DIY jobs using the write-ups on this site. The one thing I would add that most of these trucks need is steering rack bushings.

 

[jsukey]

I don't get some of these Toyota dealerships. The dealership that I bought my '02 T4R at wanted $625 total to replace the waterpump, drive belts, and timing belt. Not too bad if I may say so. The dealership here wants $850 to do the same job. Hell, last week I went in to get my oil changed....I bought a fuel filter while I was there and asked them what they would charge me to change it out since it was already on the rack. They wanted an additional $120!!!!! Highway robbery I tell you. I declined and did it myself once I got home. 10 minute job and that inlcuded pulling the tools out of my toolbox, and returning them once finished.

 

[nobb]

My valve covers look worse than that and I still don't lose any oil. Im running synthetic too. IMO, I don't see a reason to do anything more than tighten the valve cover bolts if you are not losing significant quantities of oil.

 

[4Runner4TW]

When I first moved to Phoenix I was told by the dealership that my water pump was leaking and that they would do the belts at the same time. I freaked out, knowing that 100+ degree weather was on the way and had them do it on the spot, was about $790.
I now work for a chain of dealerships owned by Penske Automotive Group, so I get cheap labor rates. I had my Valve Cover Gaskets changed for $180, about half what the Toyota dealership wants.

As for the rest: plugs, wires, general maintenance issues, these trucks are REALLY easy to work on so you and your buds would have no problem.

 

[nissanh]

Ok to tun through your list.

Timing belt/waterpump. this should be done every 80-90,000 miles per toyota.

Timing belt every 60,000 miles (~ 100,000 KM's) or 5 years. Which ever comes first. I do 10 years or 60,000 miles!

 

[jsukey]

Lol, I'm still running on the factory timing belt and water pump at 160,000 miles. You can see where the water pump has started weeping though. Waiting for my new 4Runner to be shipped so I can throw this one in the shop and not have to worry about transportation!

 

[TheDurk]

Timing belt every 60,000 miles (~ 100,000 KM's) or 5 years. Which ever comes first. I do 10 years or 60,000 miles!

For the '99's and up they changed it to 90K (I forget the years). The parts are all the same so there is no good reason to stick to 60k on the earlier years, IMHO. They last longer than that if the WP doesn't crap out first. (See the TB mega-thread on YT.) I did 10 years and 120K but replaced everything when I did it: belts, idlers, tensioner, WP, thermostat, hoses. The TB I took out looked good for plenty more. Seals looked good so I left them.

 

[noshacal]

Congrats on your purchase. Your timing belt should have been done. Have someone check your drive belts. If they look newish, see if someone will pull off the timing belt cover to inspect timing belt.

Timing belt, idler pulley, water pump, are a package deal. Replace drive belts and thermostat and you have no worries. I have this done at the 100K mark and it sets me back $650ish.

This time around I had to have valve cover gaskets replaced. Leaking both sides, got tired of the smell. No measurable oil loss. Set me back another $400. Intake has to come off on drivers side.

Take it to a reputable shop or see if you can negotiate a cash deal at the dealer.

ALSO, your oxygen sensors will give you a fit at some time. Part of the 4runner experience. Don't lose your cool on that. Advice will come from all directions. Just reset your check engine light a week before inspection.

2000 4runner sr5 4wd 205,000mi

 

[Auce]

Thanks for all the advice guys, I really appreciate it. Plenty of good feedback on these forums.

Here she is.....