Timing belt question!?!?!

[srs034runner]

Have had my 4Runner now for a few months, the previous owner says he changed the timing belt... I've kinda scanned through the forum looking for this so called sticker that signifies with the mileage ... Can't find one ... I have 144k, if I've been bsed into thinking it's been changed and it's not I'm screwed! ... How can I tell if it's been changed? Or where do you normally put this "sticker" that you replacement? Need help asap!

 

[gomoboo]

Could be anywhere. Maybe on radiator fan shroud, or a timing cover. Maybe in the glovebox. Do you have the owners manual? Maybe documented in there. I have a log that I document my maintenance in, and I have not used the stickers. Did you buy from private party? Did he replace the water pump also? I guess your options are to contact the previous owner, and ask for any receipts, because you don't trust him, forget about it and drive it, tear into it to verify. Or, ask him if he still has the sticker so you can put it on the vehicle. Probably use the last option first.

 

[CXS]

Have you checked the Toyota Owners Website? If it was done by a dealer you can find out there. As far as judging by appearance, you can't. I had mine done a while back and the old one with 100k on it looked like new.

Start here ->Track Your Service Records with Your Toyota Owners Account

 

[shahsmerdis]

I'd look at your water pump, if its leaking its probably hasn't been changed.

 

[CXS]

I'd look at your water pump, if its leaking its probably hasn't been changed.

I didn't replace my water pump at the first t-belt change since it wasn't leaking. It still wasn't at 200k but decided it had served me well so changed it out. In short, the water pump isn't an indication of t-belt condition.

 

[srs034runner]

Contacted the owner he said he owned the truck from 40k when he purchased it, and said he did it all then ... Why would he have changed belt and pump at 40k... Or is the guy I bought it from full of crap??? Nothing seems to be leaking, and there are no indications (stickers or marks) that the timing belt has been changed, I'm starting to worry if it hasn't been changed out then I could be a ticking time bomb or if it was done at 40k it due nowishhh???

 

[Bob22222]

Mine was supposed have been done by a Toyota dealership that resold it at 130k according to the Toyota website. I could find no sticker and basically trust nobody who is in the business of buying and selling vehicles. So to ease my paranoid mind I did a close check on the bolt heads holding on the dust covers. Yup, they showed clear signs of having been wrenched on. That was good enough for me. But in your case even if the previous owner told you the truth you are by the book about 15k past due anyway, right? If you can fix anything you can probably due the job yourself the biggest issue likely being the crankshaft bolt for which a good impact gun is strongly advised. There's a thread on this site that is a picturtorial guide on the correct procedure. Good Luck!

 

[stir_fry_boy]

Contacted the owner he said he owned the truck from 40k when he purchased it, and said he did it all then ... Why would he have changed belt and pump at 40k... Or is the guy I bought it from full of crap??? Nothing seems to be leaking, and there are no indications (stickers or marks) that the timing belt has been changed, I'm starting to worry if it hasn't been changed out then I could be a ticking time bomb or if it was done at 40k it due nowishhh???

40 K and how many years? Timing belts wear with time AND mileage. It would be due now for mileage. If the PO was under the time and mileage, then it was a good waste of money to do it.

I would replace the idler pulleys, tensioner, cam and crank seals, thermostat, along with the belt and pump.

 

[CXS]

I would replace the idler pulleys, tensioner, cam and crank seals, thermostat, along with the belt and pump.

The shop that did mine called the idler pulleys, tensioner, thermostat, belt and pump a "timing belt kit" but advised not to do the cam & crank seals since they weren't leaking and cost something like another $600.

 

[stir_fry_boy]

The shop that did mine called the idler pulleys, tensioner, thermostat, belt and pump a "timing belt kit" but advised not to do the cam & crank seals since they weren't leaking and cost something like another $600.

$600 more?? Wow, that's crazy. I would do the whole thing for you for less than $400.

It depends on the mileage and how old your truck is. If you were at the first TB change, you can get away with just the belt and pump, no need to do anything else except hoses and thermostat. If it has 200k+, ideally you want to change everything because it's likely to leak before the next change.

 

[V8Man]

Check for missing bolts. Check toyota owners website.

This is what happened to me.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?t=215825

 

[srs034runner]

Is this a project I can probably tackle in a weekend? I'm decently mechanically inclined but have never tackled a job quite this big!

40 K and how many years? Timing belts wear with time AND mileage. It would be due now for mileage. If the PO was under the time and mileage, then it was a good waste of money to do it.

I would replace the idler pulleys, tensioner, cam and crank seals, thermostat, along with the belt and pump.

 

[V8Man]

Is this a project I can probably tackle in a weekend? I'm decently mechanically inclined but have never tackled a job quite this big!

Yes. If you have the time and space and all the parts you need. Take pictures as you take things apart. Short the bolts in containers or baggies.

 

[stir_fry_boy]

Is this a project I can probably tackle in a weekend? I'm decently mechanically inclined but have never tackled a job quite this big!

If all you have done is brakes and oil changes, then I would recommend against doing it on your own. I recommend to people that have never done a timing belt before, have someone show you or be there with you to help that has done this before. This engine is interference, and if not done correctly, can ruin the top end of the motor.

 

[srs034runner]

Called local mechanic this morning, asked for a quote, told me to bring it in and leave it with him for the day, headed over there at 4:30pm new water pump, timing belt, and all the seals and gaskets for $648 I think that's a decent deal!

 

[srs034runner]

I just looked at my bill and noticed they did not replace the "rollers" or tensioners for the timing belt ... I asked them to, but they did not charge me for it and did not install them... Should I bring it back or do you guys think I'll be ok?????

 

[stir_fry_boy]

I just looked at my bill and noticed they did not replace the "rollers" or tensioners for the timing belt ... I asked them to, but they did not charge me for it and did not install them... Should I bring it back or do you guys think I'll be ok?????

How many miles on the truck? 144k?

Some fail before 200k. On my truck at 205k, both idlers were making noise. The idler bearings are both non-stock at the dealer, so it's hard to say for sure if yours will go bad in the next 90k. My guess is yes, they will. The problem with your engine is that if one does fail completely it will ruin the top end of the motor. Same if the tensioner fails. There have been reported failures on the 4.7 L tensioner, requiring a new motor to fix the bent valves.

 

[srs034runner]

Then I will be back in the morning complaining about that... So stupid the friggin tensioners are only $80 ... I told them to do the whole timing belt and water pump job! Well it's on them. I appreciate all yalls help!

How many miles on the truck? 144k?

Some fail before 200k. On my truck at 205k, both idlers were making noise. The idler bearings are both non-stock at the dealer, so it's hard to say for sure if yours will go bad in the next 90k. My guess is yes, they will. The problem with your engine is that if one does fail completely it will ruin the top end of the motor. Same if the tensioner fails. There have been reported failures on the 4.7 L tensioner, requiring a new motor to fix the bent valves.

 

[stir_fry_boy]

Then I will be back in the morning complaining about that... So stupid the friggin tensioners are only $80 ... I told them to do the whole timing belt and water pump job! Well it's on them. I appreciate all yalls help!

Good luck.