JAYBRONCO

I have a 01 4runner and I drive it ALOT. I have 125K miles on it and the tech that changes my oil says that he has not see a cleaner runner. I change oil every 3000K. He said I was wastin money and changed it to 5000K. Should I worry about the timming chain/belt? Which is it? It has to last me the rest of my life and Im only 34. What do you guys think I should be worried about? If I should worry at all.

stir_fry_boy

Timing belt needs to be changed. Recommended service interval is 90K. It costs about $550 from dealership (timing belt + water pump). Should look at drive line (if 4WD) make sure that it is lubed good and your struts / shocks. Should have changed the fuel filter at least twice, changed the tranny fluid at least twice and changed the differential(s) and transfer case oil (in 4WD) at least twice.

okie81

FYI, the timing belt is independent of the oiling system.

TOYOTA 1

2.7 or 3.4?

JAYBRONCO

Thanks Stir fry,
I recently put new shocks and struts on. I changed my fuel filter about 10k ago and just bought new BFG 265 75r 16's (look AWESOME) 4WD works great (truck walks). I will get my guy to look at all of the rest. I guess Ill start saving for the Belt change.
Thanks again.
JayBronco

stir_fry_boy

Yep, sorry for the confusion. Belt is independent of the oiling system. But I thought that the question was "What do you guys think I should be worried about? If I should worry at all." I thought that that question was "what else should I do?"

stir_fry_boy

Don't both have a belt?

scuba

2.7 has a chain 3.4 has a belt.

IIRC I heard the 2.7's chain was lifetime but i would still change it if I ever had to take the head off..

3.4's belt needs to be changed at every 90k.

TOYOTA 1

no, i believe the 2.7 has a chain.

JAYBRONCO

It has the 3.4 and I know that the timing is seporate I was just stating that the 4Runner hs been taken care of.

stir_fry_boy

Thanks, I always learn new things through forums!!

TOYOTA 1

np!

you and me both

JAYBRONCO

I agree stir fry. The fourm is great. I want to thank everybody that has helped so far. If any body else can suggest anything I need to check out I would appreciate it.

stir_fry_boy

Oh, one more thing is Spark Plugs. Should be changed at 60K. I pulled mine after 110K and they were pretty worn but no CEL! I bought OEM ones for $2.22 / ea (super cheap BTW, I had estimates of $5-$10 / ea). If you are fairly good mechanically, shouldn't be a problem. Left bank was harder than the right. ONLY PUT THE DUAL GROUNDED ONES IN!! (NGK or Denso).

scuba

Im a very firm believer of OEM electronics..

go oem sparkplugs....

stir_fry_boy

AMEN TO THAT!!!! I always try to put OEM on my vehicles. It makes for much less problems. I will have my timing belt / water pump replaced only with Toyota OEM parts.

GSGALLANT

One important thing to worry about is your cooling system if you havn't had any coolant flushes (or at least drains and refills) so far (I didn't see anywhere that you mentioned having done it, but at that mileage, you should already have had the coolant changed a few times). This is especially important if your 4Runner is an automatic, because your tranny cooler is built into the bottom of your radiator, and 3rd gen 4runner tranny coolers have a bad history of bursting, and causing your coolant and tranny fluid to mix. Just do a search here for "strawberry milkshake", or "tranny cooler" and you'll see what I'm talking about.

stir_fry_boy

Or drain it ALL out using the drains on both sides of the block, and the radiator drain plug then refill with TOYOTA long life coolant....good for 100K