Timing belt DIY question

[BTO]

I'm getting ready to tackle the timing belt/water pump replacement om our 1999 4Runner.

The parts kits I have been looking at always include cam and crank seals but none of the do it yourself articles or you tubes even mention replacing the seals.

Why are these parts included in the kits? Could it be for "just in case" you get everything apart and notice a leaking seal?

I don't really want to have to pull the old seals if I don't need to. What is the deal?

 

[TheDurk]

I'm getting ready to tackle the timing belt/water pump replacement om our 1999 4Runner.

The parts kits I have been looking at always include cam and crank seals but none of the do it yourself articles or you tubes even mention replacing the seals.

Why are these parts included in the kits? Could it be for "just in case" you get everything apart and notice a leaking seal?

I don't really want to have to pull the old seals if I don't need to. What is the deal?

You can find plenty of otherwise complete kits without the seals. You are caught between two schools of thought. One group says do them while you are in there. Another group says 'leave well enough alone.' I bought them when I did my TB/WP and everything else at 120k, but the existing seals showed no signs of leaking and I left them for next time. At 240k, when I plan to do the TB next, I will do them regardless. (I deliberately ignored the 90k change interval, and then at 120k I did idlers, tensioner, thermostat, hoses and aux. belts in addition to TB/WP.)

I think it is wise to have them on hand in case you do find them leaking, especially if you are 150k+.

 

[BTO]

I think it is wise to have them on hand in case you do find them leaking, especially if you are 150k+.

Thanks.

Our 4Runner is approaching the 180k mile mark. I was planning to do the job at 180k. So you think the belt is safe to go 120k? It's my wife's daily driver and even though she has AAA towing she is deathly afraid of getting stranded.

 

[agloukhoff]

Thanks.

Our 4Runner is approaching the 180k mile mark. I was planning to do the job at 180k. So you think the belt is safe to go 120k? It's my wife's daily driver and even though she has AAA towing she is deathly afraid of getting stranded.

It's a non interference engine. If the TB goes, you will be stranded - but you won't break anything.

 

[TheDurk]

Thanks.

Our 4Runner is approaching the 180k mile mark. I was planning to do the job at 180k. So you think the belt is safe to go 120k? It's my wife's daily driver and even though she has AAA towing she is deathly afraid of getting stranded.

I'm sure about the belt, unless you live in the Mojave or some other extreme environment. Read the mega-thread on TB's on Yota-Tech; they rarely break on their own before 200k. I am less sure about the water-pump either locking up or leaking on the belt which will kill it in no time. I plan to peak behind the timing cover at 90k or so on the WP just for peace of mind or to move up the change if I see coolant leakage. At 180k, your factory WP owes you nothing.

 

[jreask]

I'm sure about the belt, unless you live in the Mojave or some other extreme environment. Read the mega-thread on TB's on Yota-Tech; they rarely break on their own before 200k. I am less sure about the water-pump either locking up or leaking on the belt which will kill it in no time. I plan to peak behind the timing cover at 90k or so on the WP just for peace of mind or to move up the change if I see coolant leakage. At 180k, your factory WP owes you nothing.

Here is a picture of a factory WP with 102K miles on it. I decided to do the TB and found this when I was in there.