I bought my 04 4Runner V8 about 3 years ago. Had about 130k on it at the time. One owner by a lady but I bought it from a dealer who had got it from a dealer. I don't have any service records though.. It's at 160k miles now with no issues except changing out 2 brake bulbs and the original battery for a new one. Is there a way to tell if the timing belt was changed? Will the dealer be able to look up if it was done at a Toyota dealership? Any indicators on the belt? Don't really have $1500 to drop on having it changed but don't want to drop $5k if it breaks. I'm guessing she had it changed or it would not have made it to 160k miles, right?
Timing belt question - How do I know?
- Thread starter YotaJake
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ChaosStarter
New member
If you want, you can PM me your VIN and I can look it up. I'll only be able to tell if it was done at a Toyota dealership though, not if it was done at an outside shop.
What people are 'supposed' to do is put a sticker on the engine or timing belt covers listing at what mileage it was done, but not everyone does it.
What people are 'supposed' to do is put a sticker on the engine or timing belt covers listing at what mileage it was done, but not everyone does it.
aha2988
New member
If there's no sticker present listing the mileage of the change, and toyota has no record. There is a way to visually inspect the belt without disassembling the entire engine.
there are plastic covers over both cam shaft timing pully's on the top left and right front side of the engine. you can remove these covers, and while having a buddy turn the crank shaft pully with a (big) socket wrench you can turn the motor over and visually inspect the belt as it rotates around the pullys.
if you find and wear indicators (being stretch marks, cuts, Frey'd edges, or if it appears dry rotted) replace it along with the water pump and all the timing case tensioner pullies and auto tensioner.
you can find a timing belt kit with all the parts included on amazon for around 300. its not the easiest job to service about your truck however, it is doable.
there are plastic covers over both cam shaft timing pully's on the top left and right front side of the engine. you can remove these covers, and while having a buddy turn the crank shaft pully with a (big) socket wrench you can turn the motor over and visually inspect the belt as it rotates around the pullys.
if you find and wear indicators (being stretch marks, cuts, Frey'd edges, or if it appears dry rotted) replace it along with the water pump and all the timing case tensioner pullies and auto tensioner.
you can find a timing belt kit with all the parts included on amazon for around 300. its not the easiest job to service about your truck however, it is doable.
