maintenance advice

[Darchrow Enigma]

i'm going to take my car to Toyota tomorrow to replace timing belt, water pump, and crank & cam seals.

however, among other recommended things to replace, i came across different vocabulary and i'm confused what else to have done while the mechanic is down where the parts are...

i came across words like tension pulley, tension belt, idler pulley...and i'm not sure which of these would apply to a gen4, and which i'm supposed to request to toyota have replace in my car...

[71Corolla]

Which engine do you have?

[Darchrow Enigma]

1mz-fe

[JohnGD]

Do negotiate a "package price" with the service writer. Don't go in cold and have them price in part by part. That really jacks things up.

Look at this picture:
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=295569

You have a timing belt, the tensioner pulley (on the right) and the idler pulley (on the left) for $52.79.

And this is an Aisin (OEM, makes pumps for Toyota) water pump for $43.79:
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=1872160

Dealer will use OEM parts which have higher mark-ups. But just so you know to expect it. You can also buy the same OEM parts online for less if you DIY.

Besides the timing belt, pump, oil seals, you should also do:

Thermostat, $10.96:
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=1145694

Upper radiator hose: $10.47
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=3080

Lower radiator hose: $9.63. This is less critical than the upper hose, but if the radiator is drained, might as well.
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=3081

You also need an oil pump seal while things are opened up: $2.97
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=498980

Originally Posted by Darchrow Enigma

i'm going to take my car to Toyota tomorrow to replace timing belt, water pump, and crank & cam seals.

however, among other recommended things to replace, i came across different vocabulary and i'm confused what else to have done while the mechanic is down where the parts are...

i came across words liketension pulley, tension belt, idler pulley...and i'm not sure which of these would apply to a gen4, and which i'm supposed to request to toyota have replace in my car...

[Darchrow Enigma]

great! thanks

i had to replace my radiator recently because it was cracked, so the hoses have been replaced with it. i get a feeling i'm gonna be charged another 20-30 bucks for a gallon of new antifreeze........................oh well

why do i need a new thermostat? is that the thing that tells me on the dashboard how H or C my engine is?

and uh...what happens if i idle my car for an hour with the heater on? lol

[JohnGD]

Thermostat is usually replaced along with the radiator and hoses as a part of a complete service job.

The thermostat's job is to regulate the flow of coolant from the radiator to keep the engine at an optimum operating temperature.

Since it's such a cheap part, nobody really tests it and puts it back. It's just replaced. Otherwise if it sticks shut with age your engine could overheat. (It could also stick open too, depending on how it fails, but at least your engine won't overheat on you).

If you idle an hour with the heater on then you basically get warm air for an hour. But extended idling means the pistons and cylinder walls don't get enough splash lubrication. This can mean more wear and tear on the engine. It's not good for the longevity of the engine.

Originally Posted by Darchrow Enigma

great! thanks

i had to replace my radiator recently because it was cracked, so the hoses have been replaced with it. i get a feeling i'm gonna be charged another 20-30 bucks for a gallon of new antifreeze........................oh well

why do i need a new thermostat? is that the thing that tells me on the dashboard how H or C my engine is?

and uh...what happens if i idle my car for an hour with the heater on? lol

[Darchrow Enigma]

^thanks
toyota never mentioned the thermostat to me. when i asked about timing belt, they never mentioned the water pump to me either (or any of the other stuff)... i probably wouldn't have believed them if they tried to push other repairs onto me lol

but i just realized something...when i look under the hood, i was looking at the wrong belt thinking the timing belt was damaged....i'm not sure what i'm looking at...it's attached to the alternator, outside of the timing belt box. it's cracked down the center... (not all the way) i'm afraid it might snap someday.








what are signs that my water pump needs replacing?

[JohnGD]

That's the picture of the Alternator/AC belt. You also have a narrower power steering belt further down and towards the firewall.

That almost looks like external wear. I'd check first to make sure there isn't anything external that's causing the damage.

Looks like somebody put a worm-gear clamp on your upper radiator hose. Was that hose ever replaced?

What's with the empty-looking coolant reservoir? You should have Toyota Red with 50% distilled water in there.

As far as water pump failure signs. If you hear noises or coolant coming out of the "weep hole" then it's a bit late (but not too late as in a complete failure). Water pump, like many other things, is best replaced preventatively, along with the timing belt, every 5 years or 60K miles.

For later years Toyota increased the timing belt interval to 6 years 90K miles, but only if you drive 15K miles a year. I think 5/60 is a better bet for all timing belts, even those specified 105K miles or 120K miles intervals.

Originally Posted by Darchrow Enigma

i'm not sure what i'm looking at...it's attached to the alternator, outside of the timing belt box. it's cracked down the center... (not all the way) i'm afraid it might snap someday.








what are signs that my water pump needs replacing?

[Darchrow Enigma]

where and what is the "weep hole"?

i apparently had a cracked radiator and had it replaced with an aftermarket by Toyota 3-4 weeks ago. as for the empty coolant reservoir, maybe the water pump is leaking after all... because, the reservoir never stays full. Toyota replaced the radiator hoses at that time.

i'm guessing the AC belt was damaged by the leaking coolant from the top of the radiator. (not sure how it would jump a few inches to hit the AC belt, but it's been leaking for a loooooong time.

[LittleWhiteBubble]

Coolant spillage wouldn't tear that belt up like that. It could just be old and dry-rotted and its separating. At least accessory belts are cheap to replace.

But most mechanics quote you a price for the timing belt and water pump together. If they don't recommend you change the water pump at the same time, I'd say it's time for a new mechanic. If you go to the dealer, they love money, so I'd think they would recommend it for sure.

[Darchrow Enigma]

so..i've decided to purchases parts myself and supply a local mechanic that was highly praised by a friend, and people on yelp agree. i called him up and he said he'll charge me only labor if i supply the parts myself.

are these all i need to bring to him?

timing belt
water pump
crankshaft seal
camshaft seal
oil pump seal
thermostat
tension pulley
idler pulley

and...since my AC belt is cracked...that too.
anything else i'll need?

thanks guys for all your help!

Originally Posted by JohnGD

Do negotiate a "package price" with the service writer. Don't go in cold and have them price in part by part. That really jacks things up.

Look at this picture:
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=295569

You have a timing belt, the tensioner pulley (on the right) and the idler pulley (on the left) for $52.79.

And this is an Aisin (OEM, makes pumps for Toyota) water pump for $43.79:
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=1872160

Dealer will use OEM parts which have higher mark-ups. But just so you know to expect it. You can also buy the same OEM parts online for less if you DIY.

Besides the timing belt, pump, oil seals, you should also do:

Thermostat, $10.96:
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=1145694

Upper radiator hose: $10.47
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=3080

Lower radiator hose: $9.63. This is less critical than the upper hose, but if the radiator is drained, might as well.
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=3081

You also need an oil pump seal while things are opened up: $2.97
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=498980

[JohnGD]

Search around, I think other helpful TN members posted a parts list for 5SFE. Since you're starting with a recommended mechanic, I'd use all Toyota parts. If something goes wrong you can just blame the mechanic.

Here is an example of parts I'd use for the 5SFE timing service off rockauto.com. Again, I highly recommend that you check online dealer sites like 1sttoyotaparts.com, etc. etc. The final cost is close and most people just feel better using OEM.

Make sure the mechanic uses Toyota Red coolant and distilled water, not tap water like many "prefer" to use. So bring a gallon of steam distilled water (with no minerals added for taste ) -- 70-cents or something.


5SFE parts prices from rockauto:

GATES TCK199 (shrink-wrapped tray of one timing belt with two pulleys and instruction)
$52.79
GATES Part # K030295 PS belt $4.92
GATES Part # K050435 Alt/AC $12.32
FEL-PRO TCS45641 Cam seal $3.70
FEL-PRO TCS45920 Crank seal $5.62
BCA Part # 221820 Oil pump seal $3.45
AISIN WPTK010 (Toyota #16100-09040, 16100-79185-83) water pump $43.79
FEL-PRO VS50304R valve cover gasket set $13.94
(used to include spark plug tube seals, but no longer?)

STANT OE-style thermostat with jiggle valve Part # 48278 $10.96
FEL-PRO Thermostat Gasket Part # 35292 $1.54
Radiator Cap STANT Part # 10241 $5.48

(no need to change the rad hoses if Toyota recently did them)
Upper radiator hose GATES Part # 21963 $10.47
Lower radiator hose GATES Part # 22271 $8.60

NGK Part # 3764 IX-Series Iridium #3540, BKR6EIX11, BKR6EVX11 $6.40 x4
(NGK catalog shows this as approved for the Gen 4 waste-spark application, but not the Laser Iridium plug with a platinum ground pad).

Total about $184.11 + shipping. (not incl rad hoses)

They had an older 5%-off code that just expired for TN members. But google around you'll find other current codes.

Also, the belts should be installed using a Krikit-II tension gauge (~$20 on Amazon) or a more professional dial tension gauge that most shops don't have and dealers probably don't use. Parts stores just gave me the blank stare when I ask for it. Most mechanics use the "deflection" method, but I personally don't care for that.

Given that you have a split down the middle of the ALT/AC belt, I would carefully check the condition of the pulleys too.

Originally Posted by Darchrow Enigma

so..i've decided to purchases parts myself and supply a local mechanic that was highly praised by a friend, and people on yelp agree. i called him up and he said he'll charge me only labor if i supply the parts myself.

are these all i need to bring to him?

timing belt
water pump
crankshaft seal
camshaft seal
oil pump seal
thermostat
tension pulley
idler pulley

and...since my AC belt is cracked...that too.
anything else i'll need?

thanks guys for all your help!

[Darchrow Enigma]

i have a 1mz-fe :P

[JohnGD]

hehe I saw the pictures and what was I thinking.

Here is another one for Gen 4 1MZ. Again, you can find equivalents in OEM.

GATES TCK257 timing component kit $68.79
(timing belt plus two pulleys)
FEL-PRO TCS45890 crank seal $6.00
FEL-PRO TCS45889 cam seal set $8.22
GATES K060410 Alt/AC belt $14.03
GATES K040345 PS belt $9.31
AISIN Part # 1610029085 water pump $61.79

FEL-PRO VS50471R valve cover set (with spark plug tube
seals) $21.79

STANT radiator cap Part # 10233 $5.56
STANT OE style thermostat Part # 48128 $15.61
FEL-PRO thermostat gasket Part # 35445 $1.67

NGK Part # 3764 IX-Series Iridium #3540, BKR6EIX11, BKR6EVX11 $6.40 x6
(NGK catalog shows this as approved for the Gen 4 waste-spark application, but not the Laser Iridium plug with a platinum ground pad).

About $229.38 + shipping.

Originally Posted by Darchrow Enigma

i have a 1mz-fe :P

[JohnGD]

Also, if the valve cover is removed (involves removing the intake plenum), it may be a good time to check the valve clearances and even consider changing out valve stem seals while most of the relevant parts are already off. Probably add another 1-1.5 hours to the job depending on the mechanic.

FEL-PRO Part # SS72878 $40.99
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=261018

Example of of a stem seal job:
http://www.mkiv.com/techarticles/valve_stem/index.html