99 4runner timing belt replacement

James Miller · 11-08-2009, 01:43 PM

I'm wondering if I should attempt to change the timing belt in my 4runner or take it to a dealer / shop. I've read in the forum that the belts last to 150k and others say replace them at 90k / 7 years. I have 162k currently, belt was replaced at 74k by a Toyota dealer. It runs fine, no leaks or issues.

So my questions are:
is the engine (3.4 liter v-6) a non interference engine or not?

what should I pay to replace the belt, water pump and tensioner?

or should I attempt it myself if cost is over $500.00. I have a shop and sufficient skill (with a factory manual at hand) and tools to do the work.

Your suggestions please.

jetwhine · 11-09-2009, 12:50 AM

James,

The way I look at it is this: It sounds like it might be your first time doing this belt change? Can you afford to have your rig down for two days? If not then I would take it to have someone do it. If you can afford to have the rig down for at least two days then by all means you should attempt it yourself. With this said it would be a must to do it with an Original Equipment Manual from Toyota. Their manuals are the best, hands down.
Now for the millage part: I would not go past factory specs for the millage. for reliability issues. For most Toyota's about 90K. You can go past that about 10% but I would not push it any farther. I ran a belt on my tercel to 150K until it broke but that was my car not my wife's. I know that you can get more than the specs say but why risk it and be stranded on the freeway somewhere?
It is a non interference fit motor. Rule of thumb: If it has a belt it is non. If it has a chain it is interference and will cause issues. My question is why would anyone put a belt that is known to break if left unattended on an interference motor? As far as I know they don't.
Oh by the way your rig will run fine until the belt breaks.
The five hundred dollar price will be more if they find things leaking inside.
I said two days for the sake of doing it carefully and taking your time. No need to rush the job the first time.
Hope this helps

tlm4runner · 11-09-2009, 01:07 AM

I went and did the complete job myself, new timing belt, accessory belts, waterpump, and idler bearing. The tensioner looked good, so I didn't replace it. When I opened up covers, I can see the tensioner was almost maxed from the timing belt stretching, and waterpump was corroding around the impellor shaft and seal. I felt good about replacing them. There is a few web sites which have good instructions on replacing the timing belt. My dealer wanted about $600 to do the job, I did it in a day with $300 in parts, a new toyota waterpump costing the most. And from what I read, the 3.4l is a non interference engine. -T

James Miller · 11-09-2009, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James Miller

I'm wondering if I should attempt to change the timing belt in my 4runner or take it to a dealer / shop. I've read in the forum that the belts last to 150k and others say replace them at 90k / 7 years. I have 162k currently, belt was replaced at 74k by a Toyota dealer. It runs fine, no leaks or issues.

So my questions are:
is the engine (3.4 liter v-6) a non interference engine or not?

what should I pay to replace the belt, water pump and tensioner?

or should I attempt it myself if cost is over $500.00. I have a shop and sufficient skill (with a factory manual at hand) and tools to do the work.

Your suggestions please.

Thanks for respnding - I appreciate your perspective. Now I know the engine is non-interference I will not worry about damaging the engine, getting stranded somewhere is not a big deal to me (I'm retired and have time and resources to tow it) I also have another vehicle so it can be down for a couple of days.

James Miller · 11-09-2009, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tlm4runner

I went and did the complete job myself, new timing belt, accessory belts, waterpump, and idler bearing. The tensioner looked good, so I didn't replace it. When I opened up covers, I can see the tensioner was almost maxed from the timing belt stretching, and waterpump was corroding around the impellor shaft and seal. I felt good about replacing them. There is a few web sites which have good instructions on replacing the timing belt. My dealer wanted about $600 to do the job, I did it in a day with $300 in parts, a new toyota waterpump costing the most. And from what I read, the 3.4l is a non interference engine. -T

Thanks, I think I'll go for it by myself, as soon as the factory manual arrives.

James

dl1027 · 11-09-2009, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jetwhine

James,
It is a non interference fit motor. Rule of thumb: If it has a belt it is non. If it has a chain it is interference and will cause issues. My question is why would anyone put a belt that is known to break if left unattended on an interference motor? As far as I know they don't.

But they do. I found out the hard way a Fiat was a interference engine with a belt. Honda Civics are. So are the older Tercels. I guess you got lucky and forget that rule of thumb.

tlm4runner · 11-09-2009, 10:36 PM

Here's some info and history on the subject:
http://www.motorwatch.com/automotive...imingBelts.pdf

jetwhine · 11-10-2009, 12:37 AM

Well I don't know what to tell you guys. I have a 1983 tercel and my belt broke at 65 miles per hour up an incline under power and it did not do any damage. So I guess you can't believe everything your read. Oh that happened at 150K, now I have 310k on the original engine with no issues what so ever. If there was any damage the engine would have been toast by now.