Hi guys, need yalls help. my 94 4runner 3.0 is making a sound like the pullies bearings are failing, when it makes this sound the double pully (attached to water pump) moves back and forth slightly. Is this the $700 fan bracket that is failing or the $50 water pump? How would I go about figuring which one is bad? Thanks for any input guys.

 

Fan bracket (sometimes called a fake water pump), look on ebay for an aftermarket replacement.

 

Thanks Dale, I found a False Water Pump Fan Clutch Idler Bracket, Is this the same thing the Stealership is wanting $700 for?

 

Yeah, except IIRC the dealer's includes the fan clutch, and pulleys as an assembly maybe even the fan too.

I know it looks like the water pump should be right behind that bracket, but its not. There is nothing back there but a bearing supporting the pulleys and fan.

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/93-95...80455861QQrdZ1 DALE, So where is the water pump then? It looks like this is the same as the water pump. Sorry Im such a newbie here.

 

Well instead of being driven by one of the drive belts like most cars, it's driven by the timing belt and is behind the timing belt cover. A lot of guys replace the water pump when they replace the timing belt because you have to take the timing belt off to change the water pump.

 

the water pump is bolted to the block behind the part you linked.

see http://www.snjschmidt.com/timing_belt.html

 

Ok, gotcha, thanks for the 411 guys...anything I need to know when I replace it? Im guessing I need to take the power steering pump loose. Should I take the fan and clutch off first as well?

 

I've only done one on a 5VZFE but they look about the same. It should be fairly easy, yes loosen the two drive belts, take off the fan clutch, & pulleys. Probably have to remove the top coolant hose and the timing belt cover too

 

I see in that ebay picture there is something (don't know what) bolted to the side of the fan bracket on that 3.0, that isn't on the 3.4.

 

hey thanks Dale,you've been a big help. Im not sure either what that is that bolts to the side there. In the area of the power steering pump. Thanks again.

 

Hey no problemo, good luck

 

i recently had the same problem with my '91 3.0 3vz-e. I thought it was the fan clutch untill the fan bracket broke off and sent my fan into my radiator. i was able to get a new fan bracket for $120 at O'riellys.

 

Thanks RoadRunner, I checked into that, the part number you PM'ed me was 300-800, mine i guess being a 94, the part number was DORMAN300-801 that Orielly's can get for 120.99. I found one on EBAY for 82.45 with shipping. Holding out on 1 more reply, saw a Thread here were a guy "cut it off" and Im wondering if I went with an electric fan and ran the belts different, if I could save my hard earned money and go that route. any ideas guys?

 

I did both, replaced the bracket and took off the stock fan for an electric fan. I guess to me it was worth the $80 to keep the stock drive belts. With an electric fan the bracket bearing will probably last a lot longer next time too.

 

I think my bolts have backed out on my 3.0 idler pulley,I have fluid now slowly leaking down the front of motor "under the cover"then on to my oil pan. So i will change the idler pulley ,the timeing belt & will also do water pump while in that deep.

 

I hate that for ya TOYZILLA, I would do the timing belt and waterpump as well if I knew what I was doing. It doesnt look or sound "too" difficult and my last Tbelt was done 63,000 miles ago in 99, so Its time...but im just not sure.Looks like you can sit indian style on the ground under your bumper and do yours :bigclap: nice truck!

 

READ THIS : My NEW DORMAN Fan Pulley Bracket, seized @ 350 miles. My Aisin Bracket Bearing,Lasted 22 Years.
Made in China, is not going back into my truck. The Bitterness of Low Quality Lingers..................................Thats why i Dont drive a GMC product. lol. It is 2/24/2012 i recieved the Aisin Fan pulley bracket overnite as paid for. PROBLEM, the studs were shot thru the Box, & the Casting looks like Nothing ive ever seen. It is crazed & cracked throughout, under a magnifying glass you can see chips, i called mac & they said theyd take it back. I let them know i could send them pics & if this is normal, i would install. He said " Your Not Getting another one" I replied sir" if you could see the casting, even up against the chinese Dorman part, You would wonder why all the Crazing, enough to get your fingernail clicking across the housing...... The part has to go back. & the service was : (

 

Wow, 350 miles huh. Something weird there, any chance the fan is out of balance or something.

 

Anythings Possible, Im sure anyone could question, many reasons. Maybe i shouldnt go 100 Mph in my truck, maybe the belts were too tight {Not} maybe maybe maybe, maybe the Casting & Bearing Are inferior to Aisin & If you put them side by side & know what your looking at, the dorman product cant handle the load @ 100+ mph. But the Aisin Casting & Bearing not only can handle it, but did it for 21 years 6 months, or 197K miles. AISIN is not a Theory. Anymore Than Toyota Quality is........