New owner of a 1999 higlander

[reddi red]

hey gang.
i just purchased a 1999 Highlander with 131,781 miles on the clock.
i have no records and from doing multiple searches here, i'm TOTALLY nervous!

i do not know if and when the timing belt has been updated.
this is a big concern for me.
i don't know if the 3.4 is a non-interfaced engine either......big BIG concern.

i imagine this weekend i will get out there and change the oil.
i want to change the plugs too, not sure of the level of difficulty in that.
i know my way around cars/trucks so i'm sure most things i can get done in the garage, but if you guys can tell me:
1. about the timing belt/water pump + pricing (ball park).
2. should all fluids be changed?
3. the seller claimed that he did a trans flush.:shrug: not sure, but i heard thats a no no.

If there are any T4R owners in the Metro Detroit area (Dearborn Heights & surrounding), then pls sound off. Would love to meet & greet.

thanks in advance!:cheers:

 

[brian2sun]

The 3.4 is a non-interference motor so you don't need to worry about bending valves if the TB breaks, it just won't run until it's fixed. Plugs and wires are easy, I highly recommend only using OEM Denso or NGK dual-electrode plugs.

1) OEM parts for the TB and WP are ~$200 IIRC. You may want to do your idler pulleys while you're in there too.
2) I would change all the fluids since you don't know the service history. Engine oil, coolant, diffs, t-case, brake fluid and power steering (which uses ATF). The tranny is probably ok sinc he said he had it flushed (but i would look at the fluid to see if it's burnt or dirty.
3) I flushed my tranny at ~185K and have 201K+ now and it shifts perfectly and better than ever. If you flush a tranny that is already having issues, it could speed up the dying process and kill it faster, but on a sound tranny, it is a good thing and will extend its life. I'm very glad I flushed mine.

Also search "strawberry milkshake" and "pink milkshake". Every automatic 4runner owner should be aware of this problem and either replace your radiator every 5-7 years or bypass the internal tranny cooler and run an external cooler to avoid mixing coolant with your ATF.

 

[zcruiser]

Congrats! If it's running well, I'd say you're ahead of the game and the rest can be handled with a combination of time & money.

1. The 3.4L V6 is a non-interference engine. I would assume that you need a timing belt change, however, since you don't have documentation. Sorry, I don't have a cost for all that.
2. You can change all fluids, though the tranny and diff fluids are pretty durable.
3. Harm caused by an unnecessary tranny fluid flush has been debated in other forums but I think Brian2sun has the right perspective.

You may also want to consider bypassing your tranny cooler that's build into your stock radiator with an external cooler. There is a possibility of an internal failure that causes the transmission fluid to mix with coolant and cause transmission failure.

 

[brian2sun]

Haha, beat you to it Z!

 

[zcruiser]

Haha, beat you to it Z!

Yeah, watchin' a movie so got distracted.

 

[zcruiser]

i want to change the plugs too, not sure of the level of difficulty in that.

Pretty easy job actually, just make sure to use NGK plugs.

Bookmark this thread as it contains links to almost everything you need for the T4R...

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/69744-tutorial-documentation-reference.html

 

[reddi red]

You may also want to consider bypassing your tranny cooler that's build into your stock radiator with an external cooler. There is a possibility of an internal failure that causes the transmission fluid to mix with coolant and cause transmission failure.

wow, reading your response trigged my memory..........the dealer said that they put a new radiator in the truck..........

Let's seeeee.....new radiator + trans flush = trans/radiator fluid mixed at one time?

kinda fishy....

Thanks for your insight though. I do not think I am capable of changing the TB & WP. Would you advise:
1. I purchase parts and take to mechanic
or
2. take to Toyo dlrshp and let them do it.

what do you think the $$ would be.

Thanks again man.

 

[zcruiser]

wow, reading your response trigged my memory..........the dealer said that they put a new radiator in the truck..........

Let's seeeee.....new radiator + trans flush = trans/radiator fluid mixed at one time?

kinda fishy....

Thanks for your insight though. I do not think I am capable of changing the TB & WP. Would you advise:
1. I purchase parts and take to mechanic
or
2. take to Toyo dlrshp and let them do it.

what do you think the $$ would be.

Ha, that's exactly the untold story on my SR5 - New rad, tranny rebuild (vs just a flush). If you catch it early, multiple flushes will save the tranny, but apparently mine had to be rebuilt.

If you have a trusted mechanic who knows TB changes, I would just get an estimate from him. Should be no more than 4 hrs.

 

[reddi red]

The 3.4 is a non-interference motor so you don't need to worry about bending valves if the TB breaks, it just won't run until it's fixed. Plugs and wires are easy, I highly recommend only using OEM Denso or NGK dual-electrode plugs.

1) OEM parts for the TB and WP are ~$200 IIRC. You may want to do your idler pulleys while you're in there too.
2) I would change all the fluids since you don't know the service history. Engine oil, coolant, diffs, t-case, brake fluid and power steering (which uses ATF). The tranny is probably ok sinc he said he had it flushed (but i would look at the fluid to see if it's burnt or dirty.
3) I flushed my tranny at ~185K and have 201K+ now and it shifts perfectly and better than ever. If you flush a tranny that is already having issues, it could speed up the dying process and kill it faster, but on a sound tranny, it is a good thing and will extend its life. I'm very glad I flushed mine.

Also search "strawberry milkshake" and "pink milkshake". Every automatic 4runner owner should be aware of this problem and either replace your radiator every 5-7 years or bypass the internal tranny cooler and run an external cooler to avoid mixing coolant with your ATF.

thanks for your imput man.
i'm starting to think this was the problem prior to my purchase.
why else would he've flushed the trans AND change the radiator.

I really haven't had a chance to "go thru" the truck yet, but the weekend is close!

 

[jreask]

wow, reading your response trigged my memory..........the dealer said that they put a new radiator in the truck..........

Let's seeeee.....new radiator + trans flush = trans/radiator fluid mixed at one time?

kinda fishy....

Thanks for your insight though. I do not think I am capable of changing the TB & WP. Would you advise:
1. I purchase parts and take to mechanic
or
2. take to Toyo dlrshp and let them do it.

what do you think the $$ would be.

Thanks again man.

I took mine to the stealership and they charged me $650 to do the timing belt, water pump, cam and crank seals, tensioners and pulley, new drive belts. ALL OEM Toyota parts. Just to give you an idea of cost from the dealer.
Hope this helps.

Joe

 

[brian2sun]

thanks for your imput man.
i'm starting to think this was the problem prior to my purchase.
why else would he've flushed the trans AND change the radiator.

I agree, there is a good chance it had the milkshake because dealers don't tend to flush trannies and replace radiators as maintenance. It seems that about 50-60% of trannies are ok after the strawberry fairy pays a visit so you're tranny isn't doomed. I would maybe talk to the dealer and let them know what you know. Did you get a warranty with it?

 

[RonMAIDEN]

Welcome to the Highlander club. :thumb3:

 

[SkidPalace]

Welcome to the Highlander club. :thumb3:

Same here. Welcome aboard!
Nice black beauty. What did you pay for her?

 

[reddi red]

Same here. Welcome aboard!
Nice black beauty. What did you pay for her?

Thanks Skidpalace & RonMAIDEN !
She's actually green though blackish in the pic. lol
i picked her up with 131k miles for $7845.00.
I think I got a steal !
No she will have to spend a week or two in the garage as I get 'er updated on fluids and parts.

I can't wait to get 'er off the pavement!!:naughty:

 

[reddi red]

I took mine to the stealership and they charged me $650 to do the timing belt, water pump, cam and crank seals, tensioners and pulley, new drive belts. ALL OEM Toyota parts. Just to give you an idea of cost from the dealer.
Hope this helps.

Joe

just got a quote for $885.93 for all of your
above mentioned fixes.......HOLY MOLY!! :sobbing: