Replace timing belt or run until she dies?

M

montana_jeepn

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My 4Runner has 213k and while the previous owner stated that all required maintenance was completed, I don't have anything documenting that the timing belt was completed.

With this mileage, a couple small oil leaks, and after she sits for a couple days, some white smoke (just upon startup)......is it wrong to just run her until she dies? I am normally very much a preventative maintenance type of guy....but this is the direction I am leaning. She is running great, adequate power, etc......I can get a JDM motor for approx $1300 + install. Thoughts?
 
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Hmmm

So ur engine/trans are otherwise 'strong', pull good, decent mileage?

Is it the 3.4 v6 or inline 4 banger ya' got? engines are non-interference so no 'danger' of letting belt go on v6 Except the major ass inconvenience of it leaving you stranded somewhere.

small leaks probably include vc-s; tighten the bolts you can access-common issue-common solution. Otherwise I'd keep changing the oil/filter, fluids and keep driving... :banana:
 
Basically replace everything like normal besides timing belt. I'd skip water pump too. Mine was done recently though but since it's a non interference engine i'd run it till she breaks.
 
Just wait till the water pump starts leaking or an idler pulley starts squealing then replace every thing.
 
Im in a similar situation. Have 211K on my 97 Limited and have no idea when the belt was last replaced. My commute is short and we take the other vehicle if we are going anywhere far so I have decided to let it run until breaks or wp leak as stated above.

I did however replace the valve cover gaskets, spark plugs, wires and that whole deal which wasn't too bad.
 
I just replaced mine @ 233k (with 130k on the belt), better than it breaking at the worst possible time and leaving you stranded somewhere. My idlers were getting noisy though.
 
I have 285K on mine and I have owned it since it had 165K on it. Previous owner told me the timing belt/water pump had been done once. I say keep running it until it evident that something needs done. I might be doing mine soon as I am planning a 600 mile trip in July and simply don't want to be stranded on side of the road.
 
I say spend the 300.00 and do it all. Well worth the piece of mind and last thing I want is to be stuck on the trail or my family on the side of the road. Take care of the t4r and she will take care of you.
 
If it were mine, I'd at least get the top timing cover open enough to eyeball the timing area. If the TB is all cracked and the WP has red or green streaks emanating (depending on your coolant), then you had better get in there. If all looks good, no visible wear on belt or evidence of leaks, then drive on with a little more confidence.
 
I don't really understand your thread. So are you saying just keep driving it and then if the belt brakes just unload the thing in a non-running state for whatever you can get for it? Or spend the money on a JDM engine (with unknown mileage) vs. spending $300 now for a TB/WP kit, a case if beer and a friend to make it last until God knows when? I don't see why you're even questioning what to do. Throw a kit on it and keep her going.
 
I replaced mine at the recommended 90K interval. To be honest the old one looked pretty - really no cracking or splitting but you could feel some hardness in the rubber compared to the new one.

I take really good care of mine and it's in really good shape so I play by the rules when it comes to maintenance.
 
PitbullRescuer said:
I don't really understand your thread. So are you saying just keep driving it and then if the belt brakes just unload the thing in a non-running state for whatever you can get for it? Or spend the money on a JDM engine (with unknown mileage) vs. spending $300 now for a TB/WP kit, a case if beer and a friend to make it last until God knows when? I don't see why you're even questioning what to do. Throw a kit on it and keep her going.
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Your from Philly, it's okay...haha. jk I miss Philly, lived there for a few years before I was recalled back into the military.

Anyways, my thought was that with that many miles (200k+), is it not inevitable that something else is going to go wrong? I would just hate to invest $300 in an engine that blows a head gasket 6 months later when I could have put put that $300 toward a new engine that will run another 200k. Your right though, you kind of have to press the "I believe" button on the JDM engines that the mileage is as advertised.
 
There are plenty of folks on here (and a lot who aren't) that have a lot more mileage than that on their 4Runners. Just because it has a certain number of miles on it doesn't mean you shouldn't take care of it. Instead of planning to get another engine, plan to take care of the one you have and it should serve you well for a long time to come.
 
montana_jeepn said:
With this mileage, a couple small oil leaks, and after she sits for a couple days, some white smoke (just upon startup)......is it wrong to just run her until she dies? I am normally very much a preventative maintenance type of guy....but this is the direction I am leaning. She is running great, adequate power, etc......I can get a JDM motor for approx $1300 + install. Thoughts?
Click to expand...

IMHO, "with this mileage" and "running great" means that you still have many years and many miles left on both the engine and your rig.
 
i just picked up the aisin tkt-025 from amazon for $207. Hopefully it is the right one:guitar2: i am going to crack open the cover and check 'er out. if it needs it, cool if not, i gotz the parts.

Sounds like you have no trust in your rig :wtf:
 
toyoKühl said:
i just picked up the aisin tkt-025 from amazon for $207. Hopefully it is the right one:guitar2: i am going to crack open the cover and check 'er out. if it needs it, cool if not, i gotz the parts.

Sounds like you have no trust in your rig :wtf:
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I will likely do the same thing or have a reputable mechanic do it for me depending on my schedule.....I think I will just feel better once I throw my compression tester on there and see where she stands.

As for not trusting her yet, you are correct Sir.....not 100% there yet. I bought her with 212k and she has 213k.

Appreciate yours and everyone else's reply.
 
montana_jeepn said:
I will likely do the same thing or have a reputable mechanic do it for me depending on my schedule.....I think I will just feel better once I throw my compression tester on there and see where she stands.

As for not trusting her yet, you are correct Sir.....not 100% there yet. I bought her with 212k and she has 213k.

Appreciate yours and everyone else's reply.
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there are times when i question too. doesnt mean it wont fail, i just know some guys on here are running 300+. better safe than sorry, good luck and let us know
 
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