Hello everyone, I have a 98 4 runner with 145k miles on it. I figured I was covered for the timing belt for a good while since it was last changed at 90k miles and wouldn't need to be replaced again until 180k. I was recently told that Toyota recommends replacement every 90k miles or every 72 months, whichever comes first. How strict a rule is the 72 months? I've put alot of money into this truck recently and I would really like to hold out another 30k miles or so before having to replace it. Is this living dangerously with a good chance of getting stranded out on a trail somewhere? Thank you very much for your help!
Timing belt
- Thread starter Mudlovr
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Blitzkrieg
New member
What I can tell you is that at 90K miles when I did my 2002 3.4 the belt looked pretty good. In fact it was hard to tell the old belt from the new one - no fraying or anything like that.
You might want to pull the inspection cover off and check it to put your mind at ease, but if it were me I would not think twice about leaving it alone until 180K miles.
You might want to pull the inspection cover off and check it to put your mind at ease, but if it were me I would not think twice about leaving it alone until 180K miles.
TheDurk
Elite Member
Read the monster TB life thread over at YT. I did mine at 10 years (almost to the day) and 120K. I did all the components and I'm running this one until 240K however long it takes. These belts last way beyond spec and the engine is non-interference. Everything I took out at ten years and 120K looked like it could have gone a lot longer. I may even put them back in at 240k (except for the belt which might be 20 years old), if the truck looks like it hasn't got a lot of life left.
Almost all the failures in that monster thread relate to seized or leaking water pumps, not the belt all by itself. So I will keep a careful eye on any coolant usage and I'll pop the cover for a visual when I have 60K and 90K on the new setup.
I certainly think you are fine for another 30K if your WP was changed. If not, I'd get in there and at least look for any signs of leakage. If original, that WP doesn't owe you anything, but could go for a long time still.
Almost all the failures in that monster thread relate to seized or leaking water pumps, not the belt all by itself. So I will keep a careful eye on any coolant usage and I'll pop the cover for a visual when I have 60K and 90K on the new setup.
I certainly think you are fine for another 30K if your WP was changed. If not, I'd get in there and at least look for any signs of leakage. If original, that WP doesn't owe you anything, but could go for a long time still.
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Whackmaster
New member
My brother replaced his on his 3.4 at 310,000 miles for the first time and that was because the water pump had started to leak. The belt still looked good..I have 174000 on mine and I'll probably replace it when I have water pump issues...
