Timing Belt?

[ljwd]

As a new (first-time) owner of '98 V6 Limited with 178,000, I told you I have several questions...in addition to my "Suspension?" question..

If there is no sticker or marking showing when the timing belt was replaced, do I just bite the bullet and have it done?

Also, I've read on this forum that it is a good idea to replace the water pump at the same time.....Is there anything else?

(It runs great, very smooth, with no apparent leaks). Thanks!

 

[Nunyabiz]

As a new (first-time) owner of '98 V6 Limited with 178,000, I told you I have several questions...in addition to my "Suspension?" question..

If there is no sticker or marking showing when the timing belt was replaced, do I just bite the bullet and have it done?

Also, I've read on this forum that it is a good idea to replace the water pump at the same time.....Is there anything else?

(It runs great, very smooth, with no apparent leaks). Thanks!

If the previous owner gave you no idea when it was done then I would.
Yes definitely replace the water pump with timing belt, just buy the whole kit.
Comes with everything needed.

 

[Singtoe]

Do a car fax search on your 4runner. It might show a timing belt service and when it was done.

If that doesn't show anything, then plan on doing it when you can. To be honest, I don't recall anyone ever reporting that they broke their timing belt. Plus, the timing belt on the 4runner is so wide, that it just seams that it has a low failure rate. Maybe Change it out when you hit the the BIG 200K mark.

Mind you that the engine is a non interference engine, so if the timing belt breaks, it will just stop running and leave you where ever it happened.

 

[TheDurk]

About the only time a TB goes is due to a water pump failure first, either the WP seizes or it leaks and the coolant causes the belt failure. So changing the WP is actually more important, IMHO, than the TB.

There are two things you can do. Pull the upper timing belt cover back (just slide the hose clamp back a few inches and pull the bolts) and look as best you can for any dried coolant seeping from the pump. If there is, that's bad and do it soon. Eyeball the pump--if the metal is just as pld and greasy as its surroundings, that's also bad. If it looks a little newer and there is no sign of leakage, you are probably good for 30-50k, depending on your courage. I ran my originals 120K, they don't go before that. Than I did everything that moves in contact with the belt.

 

[ljwd]

Thanks for all the replies and advice---much appreciated!

 

[rajuncajun]

I found a TB - WP kit on ebay of all places. Genuine Toyota Parts... came with everything, I mean everything bran new. All belts, pulleys, tensioner, wp... just under 300 CND.

Way cheaper than any shop would charge you.

Toyota 3.4L/V6 Complete Timing Belt & Water Pump Kit | eBay

I think that's the exact kit I got - good quality stuff.

I changed mine at 180k kms or about 120m and mine was 5 seconds from snapping and my water pump looked dislocated when I took it out.

Definitely worth the piece of mind if you don't know when it was changed.