[FalconDrgn]

Hello All,

I have a 2000 TRD V6 Taco and I was told by a toyota dealership that I needed to change my timing belt now. I have 31500 miles on the truck and rarely drive it, maybe twice a week at most. The service manager said that I needed to change the timing belt every 5 years or 60,000 miles whichever came first. I know that is the case but after the 25 point inspection, the mechanic stated on the diagnosis paper that the drive belts were in good condition. The dealer wants $480 for just the timing belt done. Does the price seem fair to you guys?

He also recommend that I get my fuel system cleaned $270+tax and my spark plugs be replaced $160+tax.

I think this "service manager" is trying to milk me on unnecessary work. What do you guys think? I am in the NYC area, could that be the reason why the prices are higher here compared to anywhere else?

Thank you all in advance for your help!

 

[kn38ms]

My 01' Taco's OM states belt replacement @ 90K miles.
Thats when I will replace it.

 

[02TAC]

Look in your owners manual and see what the mileage is for timing belt replacement. If it is 90K he is trying to scam you and I would consider reporting the dealer Toyota. As far as the price, not sure, it is about what I the same as I paid for for my Honda CR-V when I had it done. Then again the CR-V has a front wheel drive layout and would be more difficult to work on for teh timing belt.

The fuel system cleaning - SCAM!!!!!!!

Plugs, seems WAY high unless they are very hard to get to which would bump up the hourly labor charge.

 

[FalconDrgn]

Hello all,

Thank u guys so much for your quick replies. As far as my manual goes, I just checked and it doesn't say anything about timing belt replacements. I think you are right with the cleaning of the fuel injector system being a scam. And the spark plugs I think I can hold off for awhile as well.

Can anyone with a 00 Tacoma TRD V6 check their manuals to see if it does indeed say anything about timing belt replacement? I also searched some info on customtaco.com and the message I got was it should be replaced before 90k miles. But my question is does time matter as well? Meaning my car is 7 years old now but it only has 31k miles on it.

Thank you all!

 

[TcmaBoy]

$480 for the belt is a little high, but not bad for parts and labor as long as it included the water pump. Given the low milage, and the rate at which you are putting them on, I would say you are not due for another 30K miles or 3 years. 10 years is a long time for that belt to last even with low miles. By then I am sure you will be looking for a new truck. Just so you know, drive belt inspection does not include timing belt. It is only the alt, AC, PS, fan belts that are included in that check.

Fuel system cleanings are sold by everyone and are pretty much a scam. I am sure they insisted that you get a genuine Toyota air and oil filter to go with.

Plugs are a rip off. At $160 about $145 of that is labor fee. It takes about 15-20 min or so to change the plugs, so that is what.....$560-580 or so an hour labor? A labor charge like that could probably be reported to BBB.

 

[FalconDrgn]

Hi Tcmaboy,

The $480 price does not include the water pump. All it includes is the timing belt change, thats it. I will take your advice on the fuel system cleanings and hold off on that or better yet get my own fuel system cleaner and pour it into my gas tank.

As for plugs, I am thinking about doing it myself especially after you pointed out the monetary costs for them, lol............How hard is it to change your plugs and what kind of tools would I need? The service advisor just said i needed plugs and that my wires and cap are still good.

Thank you so much for your input tcmaboy. I will hold off on the timing belt till 50k or another 2 yrs to be on the safe side. Thanks again!

$480 for the belt is a little high, but not bad for parts and labor as long as it included the water pump. Given the low milage, and the rate at which you are putting them on, I would say you are not due for another 30K miles or 3 years. 10 years is a long time for that belt to last even with low miles. By then I am sure you will be looking for a new truck. Just so you know, drive belt inspection does not include timing belt. It is only the alt, AC, PS, fan belts that are included in that check.

Fuel system cleanings are sold by everyone and are pretty much a scam. I am sure they insisted that you get a genuine Toyota air and oil filter to go with.

Plugs are a rip off. At $160 about $145 of that is labor fee. It takes about 15-20 min or so to change the plugs, so that is what.....$560-580 or so an hour labor? A labor charge like that could probably be reported to BBB.

 

[trd04taco]

Timing belt says 90k mi in my manual. I'd wait till then personally. I wouldn't pay to have my fuel system cleaned since it is so easy to change the fuel filter on the Tacoma (right under the cab). If there was some actual other problem with the fuel sys, I might pay, but otherwise I'd leave it alone. The spark plugs are pretty easy too. All you need is a plug socket and a long extension on a ratchet. Because of the plug type (multi-ground) they need to be changed more often (every 30K or so.) When you do change them, here's some info:
Denso part #: K16TR11
NGK part #: BKR5EKB-11
torque: 13 ft. lbs
gap: 0.0143 in (1.1 mm)
I think it uses a 5/8" deep (spark plug) socket. A spark plug socket is the same as a regular deep socket except it has a rubber washer inside to grab the plug so you can pull it out of the hole.

 

[FalconDrgn]

Thank you so much trd04taco......your reply was more than helpful. Do you know where I can get those plugs instead of the stealership? Thanks again!:clap:

Timing belt says 90k mi in my manual. I'd wait till then personally. I wouldn't pay to have my fuel system cleaned since it is so easy to change the fuel filter on the Tacoma (right under the cab). If there was some actual other problem with the fuel sys, I might pay, but otherwise I'd leave it alone. The spark plugs are pretty easy too. All you need is a plug socket and a long extension on a ratchet. Because of the plug type (multi-ground) they need to be changed more often (every 30K or so.) When you do change them, here's some info:
Denso part #: K16TR11
NGK part #: BKR5EKB-11
torque: 13 ft. lbs
gap: 0.0143 in (1.1 mm)
I think it uses a 5/8" deep (spark plug) socket. A spark plug socket is the same as a regular deep socket except it has a rubber washer inside to grab the plug so you can pull it out of the hole.

 

[toto]

You can't inspect the timing belt without tearing everything apart. It's a calculated risk deciding whether or not to change it.

I wouldn't let it go another 14 years until you hit 90,000 miles (assuming it took 7 years to go 31,000), as rubber does dry out and deteriorate over time. But on the other hand, I would think it's probably good for while longer.

I paid around $650 for dealer to replace the timing belt, drive belts, and the water pump at 85K miles. Had to do it as the water pump started leaking.

The fuel system cleaning is BS - don't do that.

I also paid to do the plugs as well as a lots of other fluids when I bought the truck at 83K miles. The amount was buried among other items, but $160 probably isn't far from what I paid. I remember the bill showed list price of $12.99 per plug!! The total bill was fair for everything I had done, so I didn't analyze individual items.

 

[trd04taco]

Here's one place to get NGK plugs I found a couple weeks ago:
http://www.ngk.com/results_cross.asp?pid=BKR5EKB-11&x=0&y=0

You should be able to find the plugs at any auto parts store also.

I agree with toto, if you're only putting that few of miles on a year, change the timing belt before 90K. I'd wait a bit though as it should be good for more than 32K.

 

[trd04taco]

I made a couple mistakes in my typing:
The correct plug gap should be: .043 in (1.1 mm)
and it looks like the plug wrench should be 16mm, although a 5/8 socket is almost the same exact size and will probably work just as well.

 

[TcmaBoy]

You can't inspect the timing belt without tearing everything apart. It's a calculated risk deciding whether or not to change it.

You can inspect the belt without tearing everything down. All you have to do is pull the top timing cover, which is the plastic piece on the front of the motor.

 

[FalconDrgn]

Thank you all so much again for your quick reply and helpful posts. Toyotanation rules! Thank you:clap: all!

 

[tacoma0309]

Fuel system cleaning is a rip off. I just changed my plugs, used Denso's K16TR11, around $2.99 each at Autozone. Very easy to replace in the 3.4L. Factory Service Manual states 90K on timing belt but as stated, rubber can break down over the years. One of those things that you can't tell if it needs replacing until you actually do it. Here is a great write up on changeing the plugs...
http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/maintenance/tacoma_4runner_30k/maintenancep3.html#plugs

On that same sight there is a write-up on the timing belt also.
Good luck!

 

[FalconDrgn]

Excellent help site, thanks tacoma0309..........I will def. save some money with this site. Thanks!

Fuel system cleaning is a rip off. I just changed my plugs, used Denso's K16TR11, around $2.99 each at Autozone. Very easy to replace in the 3.4L. Factory Service Manual states 90K on timing belt but as stated, rubber can break down over the years. One of those things that you can't tell if it needs replacing until you actually do it. Here is a great write up on changeing the plugs...
http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/maintenance/tacoma_4runner_30k/maintenancep3.html#plugs

On that same sight there is a write-up on the timing belt also.
Good luck!

 

[myylwlab]

plugs

I had my plugs done at a dealership in VT and it was about $160.