Serpentine Belt tip if you need to change one on the V6

[itpphoto]

I got some help from you guys on brake job I needed to do so I thought I'd at least try and help somebody if they are changing the serpentine belt on a 2003 V6.

First off it is pretty easy, but here are a couple tips;

1) get a belt tool from your local parts store that has the free rental deal, it's about $40 if you want to buy it. (i did)

2) remove the engine cover, and remove the fan, it's 4 easy nuts, carefully put the fan out of the way by dropping it into the shroud, it will just sit there and give you room to work. Put one nut back one to keep the pulley from coming off.

3) take a sharpie and draw the belt routing on the fan shroud - trust me I couldn't find the diagram anywhere on the net and it's not on the truck.

4) use the belt tool and a 14 mm deep socket and 1" extension, (you'll have to use your own socket, it's not in the tool kit) positioning the tool handle all the way to the right and get the socket on the tensioner (it's the middle pulley on the right side)

5) push the handle to the left, the belt will get loose, pull it off and release the handle and remove the tool.

6) get the new belt on following your drawing leaving the last loop at the tensioner, now slip your tool (that sounded funny) into the loop on the belt and place the socket on the tensioner.

7) push the tool to the left and slip that last loop onto the tensioner, you can slightly tip the fan pulley to help you slip the belt on.

8) double check the routing, put the fan and engine cover back on.

9) you're done in about 20 minutes and saved yourself at least $50.

Hope this helps somebody,

Frank

 

[TC4Rnr]

FSM

removal:

http://www.ncttora.com/fsm/05+/data/ileaf/06toyrm/06toypdf/06rmsrc/rm2006ta/00700210.pdf

installation:

http://www.ncttora.com/fsm/05+/data/ileaf/06toyrm/06toypdf/06rmsrc/rm2006ta/00700.pdf

 

[itpphoto]

FSM

removal:

http://www.ncttora.com/fsm/05+/data/ileaf/06toyrm/06toypdf/06rmsrc/rm2006ta/00700210.pdf

installation:

http://www.ncttora.com/fsm/05+/data/ileaf/06toyrm/06toypdf/06rmsrc/rm2006ta/00700.pdf

Their removal instructions are too vague, would not have helped me, mines better even with no pictures. The belt routing is a plus though.

Frank

 

[Kmvreter]

Welcome and thanks for the tips.

I got some help from you guys on brake job I needed to do so I thought I'd at least try and help somebody if they are changing the serpentine belt on a 2003 V6...

get a belt tool...

use the belt tool and a 14 mm deep socket and 1" extension...

Got a pic of this tool? How is it different than using an 18" socket bar or large rachet?

Also, what is the life span of the belt? I haven't seen it on this board but has anyone here had a belt break and at what mileage/age? Suggested source/brand for replacement? OEM?

 

[ToyTech99]

Wow, I'm not sure why so many steps to change a V6 serpentine belt. I don't remove a thing to change the belt. I just use a standard wrench to pull against the tensioner spring and slip the belt off one pulley to remove it. To install the new belt, I route it around all the pulleys (except for the tensioner) and then use the wrench again to pull the tension up and slip the belt underneath it.

Takes no more than 2 minutes, start to finish. BTW, I purchased a Gates replacement belt and it had the belt routing printed right on the cardboard casing.

 

[ToyTech99]

Also, what is the life span of the belt? I haven't seen it on this board but has anyone here had a belt break and at what mileage/age? Suggested source/brand for replacement? OEM?

I changed mine at 30K miles. Not because it needed to be changed, but just because I wanted to do it as preventative maintenance. There's so little to maintain on these vehicles that I guess it felt funny just doing plugs and nothing else, so I changed the belt and the air filters (engine and cabin) at the 30K mile mark. I put the old belt in the jack storage area as an emergency back-up, just in case I ever need it.

As far as choosing a belt, Gates makes one that is as good as OEM. Do not buy a Goodyear Gatorback belt because it makes a really annoying humming sounds on our 4Runners. The noise happens because of the way the belt is designed. It's hard to explain, but if you've ever looked at the grooves in a Gatorback belt, you'll know exactly what I'm talking about. I put one on and took it off the next day because the sound annoyed me so much. I replaced it with the Gates belt, which was just as silent as the OEM belt.

 

[ToyTech99]

Here's what the Gatorback belt looks like:

Trust me, don't buy a belt that looks like that Gatorback if you don't like a noisy belt. Get one that has continuous grooves like the OEM belt.

 

[TC4Rnr]

when i changed mine, i spent more time removing the fan shroud than actually changing the belt. i got OEM belt from Tacozilla with 25% discount. i used an 18" breaker bar with a socket to turn the tensioner, then plugged a 3mm allen wrench as a pin to hold it. it's pretty straight forward.

 

[TechWrench]

I have had my belt off and on three times in the last month, working on replacing bad idler pulleys. Other than removing the bottom engine skid plate, to make access to the tensioner easier, I don't remove the fan or shroud. It takes less than 10 min total time.

 

[jwyshrek]

Here's what the Gatorback belt looks like:

Trust me, don't buy a belt that looks like that Gatorback if you don't like a noisy belt. Get one that has continuous grooves like the OEM belt.

I know this is an old thread...but I second the comment made about the Gatorback belt. I had put one on my (former) '99 Olds Alero...the thing sounded like it had a supercharger on it with the Gatorback...

 

[psychohusky]

Found this link discussing cost of Toyota OEM serpentine belt for 4th Gen 4Runner (1GRFE). Apparently the listed part for 4Runner is about $75...for a Taco with same engine is about $25. Go figure.
Money Saving Tip of the Day - Toyota FJ Cruiser Forum

 

[Neil]

Also, what is the life span of the belt? I haven't seen it on this board but has anyone here had a belt break and at what mileage/age? Suggested source/brand for replacement? OEM?[/QUOTE]

Hi Guys,
I just changed my belt for the 1st time on my 04 v6 4x4 4runner at 150,000. It didn't look like it needed to be changed once I got it off but now I keep it as a spare. I don't know if aftermarket ones will last as long so I bought this replacement from the toyota dealer. On a side note I didn't change my coolant until the same mileage and the color of what I drained and filled looks exactly the same even though I drained it six times. Seems strange.

My next task it to change the differentials and transfer case fluid soon since it has never been done. I will try to post a picture when I am done.

In my opinion, this vehicle is very stout and overbuilt compared to most. I still haven't had any mechanical problems and still have original battery, alternator, rear brakes and all interior and exterior lights.

 

[Bftfan]

Did this over the weekend and use the Taco belt part number. Worked like a charm!

4Runner belt: 90916-02571 $72 at dealer
Taco belt: 90916-A2001 $32 at dealer

Same specs:

Outside Circumference:2133.6 mm,84 inTop Width:24.89 mm,0.98 inRibs:7 mm

 

[earthrealm]

whats the right belt for nthe v6 7pk2119 or 7pk2120?
i ordered the belt off amazon and received 7pk2119 . 15/16'' thickness n 84'' length

 

[radlynx]

this is pretty much the instrucition on how to replace the belt and pulleys. if you are replacing just the belt, all you need is a rachet with the long slim arm.

I got some help from you guys on brake job I needed to do so I thought I'd at least try and help somebody if they are changing the serpentine belt on a 2003 V6.

First off it is pretty easy, but here are a couple tips;

1) get a belt tool from your local parts store that has the free rental deal, it's about $40 if you want to buy it. (i did)

2) remove the engine cover, and remove the fan, it's 4 easy nuts, carefully put the fan out of the way by dropping it into the shroud, it will just sit there and give you room to work. Put one nut back one to keep the pulley from coming off.

3) take a sharpie and draw the belt routing on the fan shroud - trust me I couldn't find the diagram anywhere on the net and it's not on the truck.

4) use the belt tool and a 14 mm deep socket and 1" extension, (you'll have to use your own socket, it's not in the tool kit) positioning the tool handle all the way to the right and get the socket on the tensioner (it's the middle pulley on the right side)

5) push the handle to the left, the belt will get loose, pull it off and release the handle and remove the tool.

6) get the new belt on following your drawing leaving the last loop at the tensioner, now slip your tool (that sounded funny) into the loop on the belt and place the socket on the tensioner.

7) push the tool to the left and slip that last loop onto the tensioner, you can slightly tip the fan pulley to help you slip the belt on.

8) double check the routing, put the fan and engine cover back on.

9) you're done in about 20 minutes and saved yourself at least $50.

Hope this helps somebody,

Frank

 

[Swimupstream]

Belt, tensioner, idler, or what?!

Since I can't create new posts yet (come here for a lot of info, but don't have much knowledge to provide input to post... so haven't hit my 15 post minimum)... And this looks like the newest serp belt post... I will try here.

2005 V6 4WD SR5
Purchased 5y ago at 150k, now at 201k

So here's the issue. Changed my serp belt after typical belt squealing and whining, and the noise went away for a couple months. After a while noise started returning and some groaning and some other noises crept in over time.

Everybody swore it was the power steering. Eventually replaced the Idler 1 (very bottom). Groaning immediately stopped, but squeal was still there.

Replaced the belt (change #2). Squealing went away.

Within a month or two squealing started again and as progressively gotten worse.

Tensioner pulley felt a little (really getting picky) rough spinning. Replaced the tensioner bearing. It did feel much better spinning (prob expected at 200k!) but ZERO change to the noise.

Thoughts? Tensioner? Alignment? Another pulley/bearing? Or just bad luck on belts?

If it's simply the belts, which I'm about to do but hate to waste my money, why have I gone through three belts and 24 months? (Would be sooner but I just keep driving around with the noise!)

I don't want the tensioner answer but... before I do it I guess I just want some good 4R fieldbase opinions. B'c shops and dealer have gotten me nowhere.

Cheers.



(I know there are a couple of other threads that echo much what I'm talking about here and there, but nothing definitive, and most are 7 or 8 years old. e.g. http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/62742-serp-belt-squeeling-constantly-now-03-v6.html So feel free if I need to redirect to another thread, but I can't post new yet.)

 

[Gripitnripit]

Any chance we can revive this thread? I also am the proud new owner of a 2005 v6 SR5 w/150k. There is a noticeable squeal from the belt. I’ve been looking at the 03 replacement/warranty of the offset tensioner and it seems like the problem extended to the 05? Anyone have a nondealer link for this kit?
Thanks

 

[TechWrench]

Any chance we can revive this thread? I also am the proud new owner of a 2005 v6 SR5 w/150k. There is a noticeable squeal from the belt. I’ve been looking at the 03 replacement/warranty of the offset tensioner and it seems like the problem extended to the 05? Anyone have a nondealer link for this kit?
Thanks

Here is a link to the original TSB, which was updated in '05 for a change of warranty classification.

http://ww2.justanswer.com/uploads/skyvisions/2008-03-21_181627_03runnerbelt4.0.pdf

It only deals with the early '03 V6 models (which I did have).

The problem with the tensioner pulley offset was corrected in production later that year, and should not have been present in the '05 models.

Most likely, your belt noise is from a bad belt, or one or more pulley bearings.

 

[abord87]

Napa Parts?

Greetings,

2007 4th Gen 4runner, SR5 V6

I am looking at replacing the serpentine belt and tensioner pulley.
1) Should I replace the other idler pulleys?
2) Is there a brand of parts to be considered or avoided?
a. I am looking at the kit:
Part #: NBH 90K38411
Line: NAPA Belts & Hoses

Attention Required! | Cloudflare

Please advise,