Timing Belt Replacement (Dealer or ?)

[Drew]

So being that Im the 2nd owner of my 4runner and it has 122k/miles on it. I just found out that it's the original timing belt! :biggrin2:

So I really, really need to replace that bad boy before my luck runs out. My simple question is this:

Would you replace your timing belt at the dealer, or independent shop?


Opinions, reasons, price, work rate?

Drew

**I would replace it myself but I do not have the time/tools/knowledge.

 

[peter78]

Wow you got a lot of miles out of that belt. I have replaced quite a few belts over the years:
2 belts with a 1980 Civic with 260,000 miles before I sold it.
3 belts with a 1988 Integra with 190,000 when I sold it.
2 belts with a 1992 Accord with 202,000 miles, still have it.

I have used both private shops and the dealer. Sometimes the private dealer uses the same practice as a dealer and fixes a lot of other stuff. I really feel you should get a price from a dealer you like and a few private shops that other people recommend. On the last two I have used a friend that works on cars. If I didn't have him I would probably use my dealer near me called Marietta Toyota, he has pretty good rates and does a good job and does what I ask. I took my 4Runner to a private shop and asked for a tune up last year and it was about a 1/3 more than the dealer, bottom line talk price before going with the shop.

 

[khaug]

You should be aware that 3rd gen 3.4 V6s like yours are at risk for crankshaft failure if the timing belt replacement isn't performed right.

The bolt that holds the crankshaft damper pulley must be torqued to a HUGE figure (I no longer remember it, but it's over 200 lb/ft), which requires a larger than standard wrench and a special Toyota tool to hold the crankshaft while the bolt is tightened. Whether you go with a dealer or an inde, ask how they plan to torque the crank damper pulley bolt. If they don't have the proper tools, go elsewhere.

If the pulley isn't torqued properly, it can work loose and wobble, which will destroy the keyway in the nose of the crankshaft, rendering it unusable.

There have been many posts on this forum over the years from folks who got burned by this well-known problem. Otherwise, the job is pretty straightforward. Good luck.

 

[peter78]

The bolt that holds the crankshaft damper pulley must be torqued to a HUGE figure (I no longer remember it, but it's over 200 lb/ft), which requires a larger than standard wrench and a special Toyota tool to hold the crankshaft while the bolt is tightened.

Man, I can't believe you can't remember the torqued needed. It is 217 ft/lbs. :bonk:

OK, I knew it was high, but even I had to look it up. Here is a pretty decent write up of how it is done.

http://www.toy4x4.net/timing_belt/index.htm

 

[gapboi210]

I would not wait 200K+ thousand miles to do a timing belt like the above post. They should be done every 80-100k miles. I see this as preventive maintence. Why wait and end up having a motor destroyed?

 

[peter78]

I would not wait 200K+ thousand miles to do a timing belt like the above post. They should be done every 80-100k miles. I see this as preventive maintence. Why wait and end up having a motor destroyed?

Hmm, I was wondering who recommended 200,000 miles? His only saving grace is the engine is a non-interference engine. He definatley is living on borrowed time and it would be a good idea for him to change it.

On my Honda's and Acura's they have a interference engines and if you go past the time it is recommended you risk losing your engine. So I changed the Acura at 60,000 and the Honda at 90,000.

Maybe your talking about the 217 foot pounds of torque?

 

[gapboi210]

oops sorry. I mis-read the post above! I thought it said you got a lot left before it needed a change. These are non-interference engines?

 

[Drew]

I just got a quote from the "stealer" and they said they were doing a special and were going to charge me about $235 for parts and labor to change all of the belts including the timing.

Price not bad????


Drew

 

[fireteacher]

wow, thats cheap.
have the drive belts done...another $30 (parts only...labor free cause they have to instal old ones anyway!) and keep the old ones for spares in an emergency kit for the trail or the road.

have them change the water pump while they are in there as the timing belt is like $35 i think and the rest is labor. just a few more bolts and the pump comes out.

yes, these engines are NON_INTERFERENCE. there is alot of bad information out there saying that they are but they are not. if it brakes on you now, your motor will just die with no dameage to the valves.

shaun

 

[fireteacher]

oops, didnt see the price included all belts.

also, tell them to keep the old ones....even the timing belt, just to make them think that you are "checking them" to see if they really do the work. (can you tell i dont trust many people, esp the stealer!)

 

[KellyJ]

is a timing belt replacement part of a factory service? I have the platinum warranty which is about to run up and i just hit 80,000 and i'm wondering, after i've read these posts, if i should get it changed soon. it's actually dependent on what my dad says, his usual response to me wanting to do something to the car is "no way in hell does it need that"

 

[fireteacher]

is a timing belt replacement part of a factory service? I have the platinum warranty which is about to run up and i just hit 80,000 and i'm wondering, after i've read these posts, if i should get it changed soon. it's actually dependent on what my dad says, his usual response to me wanting to do something to the car is "no way in hell does it need that"

i highly doubt that it is part of factory service. it is supposed to be done at 90k!

 

[peter78]

yes, these engines are NON_INTERFERENCE. there is alot of bad information out there saying that they are but they are not. if it brakes on you now, your motor will just die with no dameage to the valves.

shaun

Yes, it is a non-interference engine. If you are unsure what a interference engine is click here:
http://www.gates.com/brochure.cfm?brochure=2256&location_id=3487

I notice that Gates timing belts said for years the 3.4 was a non-interference engine and about 2 years ago it says it is. I think they just want to sell more belts. I did have a mechanic tell me he has seen 4 valve non-interference engines some times have a problem when the timing belt breaks. So, it is a good idea to change it, but probably you are not running the same risk as those interference engines.