Timing belt maintenance... Is that an absolute must? or is it just good practice.

I would honestly go to a Toyota dealer for the timing belt service. They are surprisingly cheaper than private shops (in my experience anyway). I had mine done for $800 with everything at the dealer. I would also trust a Toyota dealer more than another shop for something this major but that's obviously personal opinion.

That's a heck of a price for a Toyota dealer. Majority of the Toyota dealers in my state wanted upwards of $1-1,200 just for the timing belt/ WP/ Thermostat -- not including any of the other 90k service items.

I went ahead and bought all my parts from Camel Back Toyota for around $250, and am having a local shop do all the work tomorrow for around $300. I'll service my own diffs, t-case, engine oil, and transmission fluids myself.
 
The 3 vehicles I have owned with timing belts instead of chains have gotten new belts at 100, 107 and 120K. None of them were Toyotas though.

I've never broken one but my buddy owns a tow yard and he has a few interference engined vehicles sitting there. Not pretty.
 
We can not say with certainty that you will be safe but until you do this you will be thinking about it everytime you drive it. Just get it replaced and you will not have to give it anymore thought.
 
Ok, im very convinced.. im at 93k or so now.. Ill need a bit to put the money together I should be safe before 100k right?

You'll be fine for a little while. I bought my 05 V8 Sport with 117K miles and it had never been done before. Within the first week or so I dropped the coin to have the dealership do it with new water pump etc. since I was taking it on a 1100 mile trip towing. I wondered the same as you when I bought mine, but the bottom line is the 90K interval is most likely a little "flexible", but get it done ASAP. You don't want to find out where that flexibility runs out:)
 
I did mine at 93K, but had plenty of time left. Just got the belt and water pump done. Surprisingly, my pump was leaking then, but I am at 182K now with no issues. At 200K, I am getting everything done again, plus tensioner, etc.
 
I learned some good lessons working with two 240 Volvos (1980, 87).

1. They had inspection covers and dealer mechanics would change them @ 100. after hrs.

2. That told me it w/n much work vs overhead in the cost and did all myself afterwards.

3. Good looking belts could be bad as I ripped one into by hand after I was told steel was inside. No, Nylon Ripped!

4. The worst had cracks under 40,000. The Ext Warr changed it even though it w/n trash eng.

5. The quality of the belt and the area (no oil, excess heat, grime, etc) had a lot to do with the life.

6. I respected changing them at 40,000 even though “They” said it would easily go 60,000.

7. Never wanted another belt vs chain which I have on 07 V6. Wife has a 4 cyl Camry (too tight) that's above me.
 
I had my Sequoia (same V8) done last summer at 100K. If I recall it was just over $600 without water pump. Once he pulled it off he showed me the water pump and we both agreed it did not need to be replaced, but now is definitely a good time to go ahead and do that. I believe with the pump it would have run around $800. I had it done at Midas shop here in Dallas where I trust the mechanic, he does most the stuff I don't want to do. Taking in the 4Runner next week, it's at 97K miles.
 
alright, a grand huh, that could have almost been a lift.. o well.. normally I do everything myself, but something like that Id have a good shop do, they are insured and warranty the work. I just cross my fingers and hope everything i do comes out right lol..

I understand. I just rolled 103,000 miles and I'm getting mine done next week. I'm also going to have them do the valve cover gaskets for a little extra $$$. Then, next month I'll do the OME lift and spidertraxx spacers. Who needs to sit on $2K anyway, right? :noidea:
 
Quoted $1200 for timing belt/water pump package at 2 different local dealers here near boston......:jaw:
 
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What do you guys think of the Aisin Timing Belt/Water Pump kits? I've heard they are just as as Toyota brand because they are made by the same company. I have a independent mechanic going to do it for $350 if I bring him the parts.
 
This is where I wish I would have went with the V6...

I have the V6 with the timing chain.

Now if you keep you vehicle over 300k miles....you run the risk of having to replace the chain. A timing chain is a LOT more complicated and a LOT more costly (about 4 times the cost of a timing belt. Many backyard mechanics will change out a timing belt... few will even attempt a chain. So in that case the cost is even greater. While I do like the fact that a timing chain lasts a long long time...I'm not looking forward to replacing it in a couple of years when I reach 300k miles.
 

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