Timing belt replacement - V8 (2UZ)

[bergs]

For anyone who plans on performing this service on their own with or without a manual or is allergic to searching, this thread can get you through it without too much pain.

Only advice I offer is to make sure you have a large area of cardboard layed down to absorb the coolant that can (and will) miss the catch pan.

 

[bergs]

Not sure how many folks here caught my post a while back when I said that the guy I bought my truck from (selling it for his brother in law) was "absolutely certain" and "100% positive" that the timing belt was done but was mysteriously unaware that the truck had the engine replaced.....something I myself found out after finding a dealer receipt for $7800 in the glovebox.

The other details of how the sale came to be don't matter. What matters is I took this guy's word because he knew people I am friends with. Shame on me.

Anyway, I'm gonna leave a couple pics of the old timing belt here.

 

[jimithing]

Hmmm...I'd call the dealer and see if they can give you specifics as to why the engine was replaced. Also, if it was really a Toyota dealer that did the service you should go register your VIN on the Toyota Owners website - it may give you some detail.

 

[bergs]

I went through exhaustive research trying to get to the bottom of things since the seller was obviously of limited help.

The engine was replaced due to an overheating condition that happened shortly after a minor accident. I knew about the accident already, which wasn't a big deal.

The problem when I called the dealer on the slip was that they could only provide certain information however there aren't any records of the history of where the engine came from, what the serial number is, etc.

Based on certain things I noticed when I was performing the t-belt serivce, what I'm thinking is there never was an engine replacement and instead there may have been a steam pocket within the cooling system...a condition that could appear to be an overheating issue.

I think the dealer did nothing more than added some coolant, the vehicle owner claimed it on insurance (as it could have been related to the accident), insurance wrote a check for engine replacement and the rest is history.

That belt in the pictures is not a 90,000 mile belt by any means. There is 131,xxx on the meter and I have to think there are just as many miles on that belt. The t-belt pulleys were OEM and none of the hardware appeared to have ever been touched.

Also, the plugs were definitely never replaced and all of this leads me to believe the scenario I just typed out is a real possibility.


Regardless of all this, though, the truck is still amazing and I'm VERY pleased with it!

 

[Gatafly]

You could be very right. I would get the engine serial number and get a hold of Toyota customer service and provide them with that and the VIN number. They can look it up and see whether that is the engine they put in it at the factory. If it is I would contact the insurance company, which you should be able to find out from the dealer who serviced it and let them know of your findings. May be a lot of work, but I hate crooked repair shops.

 

[Desert Fox]

Your scenero sounds probable but I cant see any insurance company paying our $7800 to replace a engine that easily. It seems like they would have to prove the accident caused the engine failure.

Regardless, glad you are ok with the situation and have the knowledge to work on it.