buckz6319

I would like to know if there is a way I can do a quick check of the condition of my timing belt?...Is there a way to do this without removing all the front engine components per the FMS....I purchased this rig July 1st 08 and don't know if the timing belt, water pump and other related part's in that area have been replaced by the P.O.

GSGALLANT

There is no real quick check of the timing belt condition... You have to take the timing belt cover off to look at the belt. Even by looking at the belt, it is not always a good indication of how old it is. I replaced the timing belt on my 2002 4Runner last year at 90 000 miles, and there was not much cracking visible on the belt.

If it was replaced recently by somebody that knows what they were doing, they should have installed a sticker on the top of the timing belt cover saying the date and mileage that the belt was replaced at. Easiest way might be to ask the P.O. to see if it was done while he owned it. How many miles are on the 4Runner now?

If you're unsure, and you have time to spare and are able to do the work yourself, you can replace the timing belt, water pump, cooling hoses, and accessory belts for a couple of hundred dollars and a day's work.

If you choose not to replace it and your timing belt breaks, you'll just end up stranded on the side of the road and need to get the vehicle towed. It won't damage your engine in any way, because the 3.0L V6 is a non-inteference engine.

buckz6319

Thanks for the reply GSGALLANT.....I'm not thankful that my 3.0 is a non interference engine so I'm not as worried now knowing that if the belt just breaks it will not blow every thing into pieces.
Now with that being said....I don't know if the P.O. had the timing belt changed because he was selling the 4runner for his brother (you know how that goes) and his brother doesn't remember having someone change the timing belt.I also asked him if the P.O. that he purchased the 4runner from had the belt changed and he didn't know either sooooooo on and sooooo on.
I do know that this 4runner was a lease for some type of commercial company for 12 yeasr according to carfax but I'm not sure about any repairs made to this 4runner really no record so I'm only guessing that at some point in time the belt had to be changed by someone.The question is when and at what miles?
I currently have 174,000 + miles on it....and will at some point try to get to the belt when funds will permit me to do so...I'm able to do the work just takes me longer to do things than a shop would because of a full time job, home, ect ect

tc

I have heard two change intervals - 60k miles or 90k miles.

Either way, you're due at 180k - I would definitely look at changing it.

buckz6319

thanks tc I feel the same way I just hope that I can find a good kit to use? any suggestions?

tc

There's no real "kit" - the only parts are the belt and the water pump.

There are a couple writeups on here about it. Disregard any writeup that says you don't have to remove the radiator. Technically, you might not HAVE to, but it just ain't worth the fight you're gonna go through with it in there.

buckz6319

OK tc thanks for the help and I do plan on removing the radiator because it'll just be in the way