New owner with questions

[ShadeTree]

Ok, here's the scoop. My parents had my 98 Limited, but are both in their mid 70's. Mom is so short she almost needed a step ladder to get in and out, so she decided they were going to get a new car lol!! Dad was decidedly NOT happy about this but went along with mom because, well it momma ain't happy then no one is happy. Anyway they told me that when they finally got their car the 4Runner was mine. As it happened it worked out to be my birthday back in August, so I had a nice birthday!!

So it has 132,000 miles. Dad bought it new and it has never slept outside the garage if they were home. It's never needed anymore than just routine maintenance. So a question or two. I'm a Toyota lover for years so I know I have a reliable truck built like a tank. How is this 3.4 as engines go? When should I look into stuff like a timing chain or other parts like a starter or alternator, or water pump? I had an old Corolla go on me with 330,000 miles when the timing chain broke (second one) so I gotta ask, will the engine die on me, as in need total rebuild, if the chain breaks? Good to be here, I'm sure I'll learn alot!!

 

[brian2sun]

Welcome and it sounds like you got a great truck, congrats! The 3.4L is one of the best and most reliable engines Toyota ever made so no worries there. This engine has a timing belt that should be changed along with the water pump every 90K. Ask your Dad if he knows if it was already done and if not, I would do that. These are non-interference motors meaning that if the timing belt breaks, it will not damage the valves, it just won't run until you put a new belt on so it's a great design feature.

As far as the starter and alternator, you'll know when they're going bad, but just let them take their course. When the starter goes bad it starts to click. When that happens, it's almost always just the contacts which are ~$20 to replace instead of buying a new starter. The alternators aren't known to fail early. I have 203K on my original alt. and it's still going strong.

The things to watch out for on a 3rd gen 4runner are the rear axle seals (oil caked up on the rear brake drums) and the dreaded strawberry milkshake (aka pink milkshake) which is known to happen usually anytime after 100-150K+. Search these terms for more info. The milkshake is when the internal tranny cooler inside the radiator ruptures and coolant and ATF mix and can kill your tranny. 2 simple cheap fixes to make sure it doesn't happen to you are get an new radiator every 7 years or so (~$130 DIY) or get an external tranny cooler and bypass the stock one (~$70 DIY). Here are 2 great links to read about the 4runner and how to take care of it..
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/69744-tutorial-documentation-reference.html
3rd Gen 4Runner FAQs

 

[xskydivingdudex]

Wow Brian, couldnt have explained it any better myself... but ya i would say change the timing belt/water pump before it breaks not after. U dont want to have ur 4runner stranded somewhere or in the middle or driving, its smarter to be safe then sorry.

Oh ya Brian, that reminds me that i need to hurry up and get my ext tranny cooler.

 

[Elton H]

congrats now wheres the pics lol ... id change all the timing stuff and it will last for a long time i got mine from here timing belt kit

 

[ShadeTree]

Thanks for the welcome and all the good info. So I can and do do minor work on my bike and car, but I'm not geared up to do anything major, nor do I have the knowledge. Is a timing belt and radiator something a guy like myself can do in the driveway? I LOVE driving this truck. Right now my wife drives it mostly. I have a 50 mile drive to work so the 4 Runner isn't real practical for me. She has a 7 mile drive so it's much more practical, and on weekends it's all we drive. It's never been off road, so I'm looking forward to doing some of that next year to!

 

[Satter]

Congrats on getting your 3G4R. If you're like me, not mechanically inclined, then I would definately have the timing belt done by a Dealership IMO. Also...

:worthless

 

[004Gunner]

Thanks for the welcome and all the good info. So I can and do minor work on my bike and car, but I'm not geared up to do anything major, nor do I have the knowledge. Is a timing belt and radiator something a guy like myself can do in the driveway?

All you need to do the radiator are basic hand tools and a bucket. The t-belt isn't difficult or really all that time consuming, but you need more specialty tools for the job. A 250 ft/lbs torque wrench, a high torque impact gun, and this little guy will make the job go smoothly. There is a great write up under one of the 3rd gen stickies