Question about VVT-i V8 (Timing Belt/Chain)

[osxcode]

I thought the VVT-i V8 had the Timing Chain rather than a timing belt. I was told it had the chain but I can't find any conclusive answers. I thought when Toyota redid the V8 to include VVT-i that the chain was then used.

As usual, the dealer gave me bad information. Is there any reason to be worried about the 4runner V8 with a belt?

Is there any benefit to having a belt? On Toyota's FAQ, it looks like most of the newer engines have the chain.

Somebody help ease my conscience

 

[toto]

The V6 uses a chain, and the V8 uses a belt.
There's nothing wrong with belts, but it's just something that needs changing at some point in time. I haven't seen any stories here or elsewhere of a timing belt breaking prematurely. It's due to be changed at 90,000 miles. Just change it on schedule, and there's no need to worry.

 

[Falls]

The V6 uses a chain, and the V8 uses a belt.
There's nothing wrong with belts, but it's just something that needs changing at some point in time. I haven't seen any stories here or elsewhere of a timing belt breaking prematurely. It's due to be changed at 90,000 miles. Just change it on schedule, and there's no need to worry.

Agreed....

 

[Uneek]

Belts are usually quieter.

Chains can and do stretch over time, but most will last the life of the engine.

 

[peter78]

Belts are usually quieter.

Chains can and do stretch over time, but most will last the life of the engine.

Belts are also a bit cheaper and the engineers like to put the water pump in with the timing belt. That eliminates the cost of another belt and pulley.

The V8 is considered a interference engine, meaning there will be some damage done to the engine if it should break. On my old Honda, I streched it out to 96,000 miles and changed it. So, if your close to 90,000 miles, I would look into changing it.

 

[boston_kevin]

Belts are usually quieter.

Chains can and do stretch over time, but most will last the life of the engine.

Belts can and do stretch over time (and rarely break), chains do not (at least not that you can measure). Single link chains can stretch and break, but most timing chains are double or triple link across. Never seen a timing chain stretch... Still have the original 428 engine in my '68 Shelby with the original chain/cam.

Belts are quieter, and you get the advantage of changing the water pump every 90k miles since most dealers list this as a mandatory service at the same time.

 

[osxcode]

Belts can and do stretch over time (and rarely break), chains do not (at least not that you can measure). Single link chains can stretch and break, but most timing chains are double or triple link across. Never seen a timing chain stretch... Still have the original 428 engine in my '68 Shelby with the original chain/cam.

Belts are quieter, and you get the advantage of changing the water pump every 90k miles since most dealers list this as a mandatory service at the same time.

Sounds like someone has the V6

 

[boston_kevin]

Sounds like someone has the V6

Yes I do. I have had many vehicles with belts, and had a belt break only once. 90k miles is pretty much the limit for belts, but like I said, when you replace the belt, most dealers replace the water pump. This is actually good maintenance as well because many water pumps fail in the range of 100k to 110k miles. Belts are better than they used to be. 60k for my old Honda was painful to change that belt so often.

 

[osxcode]

Yes I do. I have had many vehicles with belts, and had a belt break only once. 90k miles is pretty much the limit for belts, but like I said, when you replace the belt, most dealers replace the water pump. This is actually good maintenance as well because many water pumps fail in the range of 100k to 110k miles. Belts are better than they used to be. 60k for my old Honda was painful to change that belt so often.

Do they basically have to pull the engine out to get to it? I shouldn't even be worrying about it yet, my 4r only has 300 miles on it but it's fun to learn about it.

 

[JP4RNR]

The Engine does not need to be pulled

 

[boston_kevin]

Do they basically have to pull the engine out to get to it? I shouldn't even be worrying about it yet, my 4r only has 300 miles on it but it's fun to learn about it.

No. Typically they will pull the radiator, fan, shrouds & covers, and the water pump to access the timing belt. This is the reason for replacing the water pump. A few people have had this done, others have the time and skills to do it themselves. Cost wise, I believe I remember something on the order of $700-$800, but you could probably search for that.

 

[Barefoot]

Never seen a timing chain stretch...

I have

 

[spyne]

I have

Same here. I once owned a '70 Ford Econoline van where at 110K miles the chain stretched enough that it actually jumped one tooth on the sprocket. Fortunately there wasn't an interference problem. Just a monetary one

 

[spo0587]

I got someone to change my belt and pump for $600. I didn't fool with the idler pulley or tensioner. I maybe should have, but I am not going to worry about it until next time around. I trust my Toyota. I have heard horror stories of those going bad, once on the Tundra forum (engine self destructed but it had 197K on it so he really didn't care) and my coworkers Audi did it to him. He got the belt changed but didn't worry with the tensioner, and later on down the road it split and chewed the belt up. Long story short he had to take it to the dealer and to the tune of $1,700 get it fixed, but the engine was still good. I will get everything replaced again at 170K or 180K for safe measure. osxcode, is that in reference to Mac OSX? I love Apple.

 

[osxcode]

I got someone to change my belt and pump for $600. I didn't fool with the idler pulley or tensioner. I maybe should have, but I am not going to worry about it until next time around. I trust my Toyota. I have heard horror stories of those going bad, once on the Tundra forum (engine self destructed but it had 197K on it so he really didn't care) and my coworkers Audi did it to him. He got the belt changed but didn't worry with the tensioner, and later on down the road it split and chewed the belt up. Long story short he had to take it to the dealer and to the tune of $1,700 get it fixed, but the engine was still good. I will get everything replaced again at 170K or 180K for safe measure. osxcode, is that in reference to Mac OSX? I love Apple.

Yep sure is ;-)

 

[DaveD]

I have an 05 4runner with a v8. I just did my belt at the dealership for $799 with water pump. Westbrook Toyota in CT. They were having a special where they included the water pump for free. Not sure how much they usually charge. In and out in one day. I had almost 115,000 miles on it when they did it. I didn't realize it had a belt and when I originally called, they said I had a chain. Thanks to this posting I double checked and sure enough it had a belt. I was on borrowed time.

 

[peter78]

I have an 05 4runner with a v8. I just did my belt at the dealership for $799 with water pump. Westbrook Toyota in CT. They were having a special where they included the water pump for free. Not sure how much they usually charge. In and out in one day. I had almost 115,000 miles on it when they did it. I didn't realize it had a belt and when I originally called, they said I had a chain. Thanks to this posting I double checked and sure enough it had a belt. I was on borrowed time.

Welcome to the forum. Two things I will say about your post. I went 150,000 miles on my 01 4Runner with the first timing belt. Since the 3.4 V6 was a non-interference engine I went over the 90,000 mark. Still, that was probably way too much. It was good it didn't break, now you can go another 90,000, starting at the 115,000 mark.

Second, when I bought my 2004, the dealer said the 4.0 V6 has a timing belt. (You can actually see the timing chain when you open the oil filler.) Bottom line dealers just don't know all the answers. Read your manual and use this forum is the best bet.

 

[Erich_121]

Is there any benefit to having a belt? On Toyota's FAQ, it looks like most of the newer engines have the chain.

A timing belt usually needs to be replaced every 60,000 to 90,000 miles. The distance varies according to each automotive manufacturer and car model. A timing belt engine has a few advantages. It runs quieter, is more efficient and produces less emissions. A timing belt will not stretch over time, whereas a chain will wear. That wear will degrade performance over time. Depending on the vehicle, that may or may not even be noticeable. A timing belt system requires much less internal engineering, and simpler usually translates into fewer thing that could break down the road. Even with those advantages, they have disadvantages. They can break without external warning signs, other than age. They do have a much shorter lifespan, but changing a belt costs much less than changing a chain.

A timing chain will probably last the life of the vehicle, but with more engineering involved in maintaining the operation of the chain, the higher the chance of some other part going bad.

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