Newer 4runner Owner - Maintenance Question

[ww_crimson]

Hi everyone,

Last February I picked up a 2003 4Runner SR5 4wd V6 with 17,000 miles on it. The vehicle was owned by a woman who got the vehicle from her husband in a divorce and she only put about 1,000 miles per year on it, for 4-5 years. Anyway, I have since put about 4,000 miles on it, including a 1,000 mile road trip. I haven't had any issues except some noise on cold starts... I thought it was the serpentine belt so I replaced it, and the noise went away for a week and then came back. Any ideas what that could be?

Additionally, I was hoping to get some insight on some other maintenance that should be done on a 10 year old 4runner with low miles.

So far I've done:

Full detail
Serpentine Belt
Oil / filter Change
Air Filter Change


Planned:

Grease the "zerk" fittings on the drive shaft
Change differential fluid


Do I need to worry about changing the coolant? brake fluid? spark plugs?


Appreciate any insight you all can provide.

 

[dropspace]

Thats crazy low miles. I thought I was tough with my 27k miles 04 purchase this year but you have me beat.

I just did the 30k service at the Toyota dealer. Consider adding these things to your list:

• change the transfer case fluid
• cabin filter
• check the cv boots to see if they are cracked from age
• bleed/flush the brake fluid
• don't be surprised if you need a new battery at some point
• I wouldn't go very far on 10 year old tires

you may want to hit any rubber trim parts with some silicone spray. keeps em from cracking as they get older. Be sure to get the sunroof rubber trim (if you have one)

 

[awdjunkies]

When you replaced the serp. Belt. Did you also replace the idler/pulley ? That is usually what ends up making noise and after a while just seize up.

 

[ww_crimson]

Thats crazy low miles. I thought I was tough with my 27k miles 04 purchase this year but you have me beat.

I just did the 30k service at the Toyota dealer. Consider adding these things to your list:

• change the transfer case fluid
• cabin filter
• check the cv boots to see if they are cracked from age
• bleed/flush the brake fluid
• don't be surprised if you need a new battery at some point
• I wouldn't go very far on 10 year old tires

you may want to hit any rubber trim parts with some silicone spray. keeps em from cracking as they get older. Be sure to get the sunroof rubber trim (if you have one)

Thanks for all this. I forgot that I did do the cabin filter too. Made a big difference for interior air quality, haha.

Battery are actually pretty new -- I think the woman replaced them both within the year. The tires actually still have the chalk lines or whatever it is on them. The only problem is that they are 315 width tires on 20 inch wheels. Can't remember the height. They rub on wheel lock turns. I've since bought a set of OEM 17" Trail wheels from another member here on the forum.. just haven't got new tires yet. Silicone spray is a great tip. I've been using 303 Aerospace protectant but it's not great.

When you replaced the serp. Belt. Did you also replace the idler/pulley ? That is usually what ends up making noise and after a while just seize up.

I did not :\ Probably should have but didn't think of it at the time.

 

[dropspace]

You may want to consider the timing belt too.

Dealer told me they are supposed to be changed after 6 years regardless of miles. That's probably a bit conservative depending on what environment you live in.

But mines pushing 10 years and I only have 30k. I'll probably just go ahead and change the timing belt soon...

 

[awdjunkies]

You may want to consider the timing belt too.

Dealer told me they are supposed to be changed after 6 years regardless of miles. That's probably a bit conservative depending on what environment you live in.

But mines pushing 10 years and I only have 30k. I'll probably just go ahead and change the timing belt soon...

V6 4.0 doesn't have a timing belt. It has a Timing Chain.

 

[Minn3sota]

Second the idler pulley.

 

[jwyshrek]

A while back, there was another member who had noises related to replacing the serpentine belt...he was using aftermarket and still getting noises.

The he replaced it with an OEM belt (which he stated seems a little wider than the aftermarket version) and the noise disappeared. Didn't hear anything about it afterwards, so maybe the OEM belt resolved the noise issue???

 

[dropspace]

V6 4.0 doesn't have a timing belt. It has a Timing Chain.

Ahh, didn't notice the V6

 

[WXman]

Personally I wouldn't do anything to it except fluids front to rear and tires. Hard parts don't go bad with lack of use. Rubber does. And then address the other stuff as it occurs. Greasing the driveline is a good suggestion.

 

[awdjunkies]

Ahh, didn't notice the V6

No worries :fro: