I have about 90K on my 02 4Runner and the dealer is recommending the big 90K service including timing belt replacement. Do you all think that is necessary at this point? If not, how long should I stretch it? I did a search but didn't find too much info on this, hopefully it is not a redundant question. The truck is running great overall.
Timing Belt Change
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polvadis
New member
I was in the same boat some 4k miles ago. Reached 90k miles and it was time for the big service. Overall it seems to be recommended by users as well as the dealer and couple mechanics I talked to.
If nothing else it will give you a peace of mind that it's done.
I was thinking of waiting a little longer but I needed new breaks anyway so I figured I'd get everything done at the same time.
I got all new belts, new water pump, new spark plugs and cables, new rotors and pads, flushed all fluids, lube change in diff and some other stuff I'm forgetting at the moment. It cost me quite a penny, some $2,200 bucks but around $1,100 in parts alone. That's the price I pay for not being mechanically inclined. My mechanic still charged $1,000 less than the next lowest quote including one from a dealer. (I got a price sheet at home with everything neatly written out if anyone wants exact cost and exact work done).
What can I say, my 4Runner is a keeper.
If nothing else it will give you a peace of mind that it's done.
I was thinking of waiting a little longer but I needed new breaks anyway so I figured I'd get everything done at the same time.
I got all new belts, new water pump, new spark plugs and cables, new rotors and pads, flushed all fluids, lube change in diff and some other stuff I'm forgetting at the moment. It cost me quite a penny, some $2,200 bucks but around $1,100 in parts alone. That's the price I pay for not being mechanically inclined. My mechanic still charged $1,000 less than the next lowest quote including one from a dealer. (I got a price sheet at home with everything neatly written out if anyone wants exact cost and exact work done).
What can I say, my 4Runner is a keeper.
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A 90k service with a tbelt done by factory specs shouldnt cost more than $1000. When you start adding flushes and extra crap most people dont need, it starts getting spendy. I think we charge between $800-$900. Thats without a waterpump. I guess if you have extra cash and want to replace the W/P at the same time even if it isnt leaking you can. Waste of money unless you need it I think
T4Running4Fun
New member
for water pump/timing belt/seals I'm paying the dealership $993
RonMAIDEN said:
No...that price is a FULL 90K service. oil change, all drivetrain fluids, tire rotate, brake service, air filter, plugs, tbelt, belts, coolant, ect ect. A tbelt and drive belts alone is less than $400. I only charge $150-200 + parts to do the belt and w/p. They arnt that difficult
suprdtydvr
New member
Here is my 2 cents. I just completed a timing belt/water pump/accessory belt/flush/etc. etc. on my '96 with 168,000 miles. By all indications the timing belt was original equipment and the date stamped on the water pump was 7/96 which was the month/year the truck was produced. What drove me to do the job was a persistent smell of coolant and the occasional drip of antifreeze on various places on the frame. Upon removal of the timing belt covers it was evident that the pump was not leaking due to mechanical failure of the shaft seal but the aluminum housing of the pump was not sealed against the cast iron block. Over the years the drip of coolant had built up lots of residual crud on the face of the block and more importantly on the crankshaft/crankshaft pulley which made it a bear to remove. The old pump used form in place gasket material however it seems that this issue had been addressed by Toyota at some point because the new pump had a gasket with an integrated rubber seal. I don't know but the belt I removed showed no signs of impending failure, and I would have been content to leave it had the coolant leak not been an issue. Even at that the coolant "leak" was very slight probably just during thermal transients due to differing rates of expansion/contraction of the two materials. Given that I am using this vehicle 95% of the time within 15 miles of my house and the fact that the 3.4L is non-interference I'd go more than 90 if all other things appear well. If you depend on the truck to get to/from work I would replace to be safe, no sense in making an emergency of something you could either schedule the dealer or do yourself at your leisure. I spent $250 on parts (inc. acc. belts) and spent about 12 hrs doing the job (the time isn't as pathetic as it seems that pulley really was a PITA and I do not own a single specialty tool which means the tensioner had to be removed. I used a standard pulley puller to remove the crank pulley. Your '02 may have the improved water pump in it. How bad would it suck if you got stuck on the road?
suprdtydvr
New member
Ok I was writing an Excel spread sheet to track maintenance items for my 3 vehicles. It is so funny how we or at least I ignore the most obvious source of information first in lieu of Google searches. Actually reading the manual on my '96 4Runner, the timing belt change is only "required" at 60K under harsh operating conditions and is not even listed in the "normal' maintenance routine at all. The truck manual has scheduled maintenance all the way out to 120K. I am sure that dealer recommendation at 90K is not completely for their own monetary interest and my be a revision due to data but I'll tell you that my belt probably could have kept going for quite some time. The manual also specifies 30K engine coolant flush/change which I thought was a bit excessive but considering the amount of work required to get to the pump(at least on the 3.4L) I now understand that specification and will comply gladly as I do not want to go through that again even though my pump was OE and was not replaced for mechanical failure but for a leak at the block interface.
RonMAIDEN
Super Moderator
toytech76 said:
Your post was very confusing then since you state the WP isn't included and replacing the WP isn't a waste of money since the labor is all associated and I have almost 140k on all my stuff so it's not a waste since the WP probably won't last another 30k if I was lucky.
1999 4Runner Maintenance Guide definitely specifies timing belt change for 4Runners equiped with 6 cylinder engine. Here's the list of maintenance from the guide:
Replace engine air filter
Replace engine oil and oil filter
Replace lmited-slip differential oil
Replace non-platinum spark plugs
Replace timing belt
Lubricate propeller shaft and re-torque bolts (4wd)
Re-torque drive shaft flange bolts
Inspect: Ball joints and dust covers, Brake lines and hoses, Brake linings/drums and brake pads/discs, Differential oil, Drive belts, Drive shaft boots, Fuel lines and connections, fuel tank band and fuel tank vapor vent system hoses, Exhaust pipes and mountings, Fuel tank cap gasket, Steering gear box, Steering linkage, Transfer case oil (4WD models), Transmission fluid or oil
Additional maintnance items for special operating conditions:
Inspect nuts and bolts on body and chassis
Replace differential oil (including limited slip)
Replace transfer case oil (4wd)
Rplace transmission fluid and oil
Replace engine air filter
Replace engine oil and oil filter
Replace lmited-slip differential oil
Replace non-platinum spark plugs
Replace timing belt
Lubricate propeller shaft and re-torque bolts (4wd)
Re-torque drive shaft flange bolts
Inspect: Ball joints and dust covers, Brake lines and hoses, Brake linings/drums and brake pads/discs, Differential oil, Drive belts, Drive shaft boots, Fuel lines and connections, fuel tank band and fuel tank vapor vent system hoses, Exhaust pipes and mountings, Fuel tank cap gasket, Steering gear box, Steering linkage, Transfer case oil (4WD models), Transmission fluid or oil
Additional maintnance items for special operating conditions:
Inspect nuts and bolts on body and chassis
Replace differential oil (including limited slip)
Replace transfer case oil (4wd)
Rplace transmission fluid and oil
fishingt4r
New member
toytech76,
I bought 97 Limited 2wd w/ 107K miles from my aunt. My aunt doesn't know if the t-belt has been replaced since the car was my uncle's who passed away recently. I have two questions: 1) Is there a cover that can be removed for quick visual check? 2) the following write up recommends two special tools to replace the belt, is it a must? http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/maintenance/timing_belt/
To give you an idea, I have replaced t-belt on Honda Accord I4 with manual trans. I don't recall requiring special tools except a friend to press the brake pedal. Thanks in advance.
I bought 97 Limited 2wd w/ 107K miles from my aunt. My aunt doesn't know if the t-belt has been replaced since the car was my uncle's who passed away recently. I have two questions: 1) Is there a cover that can be removed for quick visual check? 2) the following write up recommends two special tools to replace the belt, is it a must? http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/maintenance/timing_belt/
To give you an idea, I have replaced t-belt on Honda Accord I4 with manual trans. I don't recall requiring special tools except a friend to press the brake pedal. Thanks in advance.
fishingt4r said:
You can remove the top timing cover but it wont tell you much. Even a belt with over 100K on it can look ok. The tool needed to compress the tensioner isnt needed but will make it a ton easier. If you dont have it then you need to remove the tensioner to compress it and that is a bit of a pain. The other tool you will need or a variation of it. You need something to hold the crank pulley when you loosen and tighten the crank bolt. I personally use a 2 foot long chain wrench. The job is not a hard one to do if you have the tools
mikehinthehouse
New member
man was I ever lucky... my childhood friend is a Toyata tech and he did my 90k service for $150, I bought everything for cost too... I think it was about $350 total for everything inclucing the seals, water pump timing belt, toyota coolant, plugs, oil change, filters.. the whole get up!
I guess it pays to know people!
I guess it pays to know people!
fishingt4r
New member
toyotech76,
thank you for the reply and suggestion, I'll get the tensioner holder and the chain wrench before I get started. I will let you know how it went. It will probably be later part of this year after the fishing season.
thank you for the reply and suggestion, I'll get the tensioner holder and the chain wrench before I get started. I will let you know how it went. It will probably be later part of this year after the fishing season.
I have a 96 4 runner with 123K miles. My water pump started going bad around 110K. It was recommended to me to go ahead and change timing belt while replacing pump, and now engine runs a lot smoother and more quiet. Your mechanic should be able to tell if belt needs changed by listening to engine run. Do yourself a favor and not wait until timing belt breaks to replace it! Hope this has helped.
hkspwrsche
New member
well
Its not an interference engine as someone pointed out to me. slightly less risk. Should hopefully only add the cost of a tow.
Its not an interference engine as someone pointed out to me. slightly less risk. Should hopefully only add the cost of a tow.
gizmopt2002
New member
Schaumburg Toyota.
Be there, or be square..
Really though its really cheap.
Give them a call.
Be there, or be square..
Really though its really cheap.
Give them a call.
