Ok heres some questions sorry if they have been covered before...

1. My rear tire rack is bent, the tire is crooked because of this, and when you shut it, it goes into the tail gate, therefor denting it. How could I go about bending this back?

2. I have never done a timing belt on a toyota, only hondas.... Is there any way to CHECK the timing belt without taking a ton of junk off?

 

1. Sorry dont know I dont have a tire rack.
2. Nope not that i know of. I think mine needs replaced cant find records of it being change from former owner and i think im going to wait till it breaks . Then change it and the water pump, radiator, and maybe belt tensioner if it looks worn.

 

You can check the timing belt if you take off the top rad hose (drain it first ), unbolt the water inlet elbow on the engine and remove the top timing cover. Move the plug wires out of the way first. The cover has a bunch of small bolts, some are hiding at the bottom of holes. It's a bit of a pain having to drain the rad first, but not as much work as replacing the belt.

 

Well thats a lot easier then what I was planning on doing lol, thanx for the info, on hondas you only gotta take off the valve cover. LoL

Thanx for the info though Ill check it this week.

 

The shop I took mine to when my waterpump died drilled a hole in the lower cover below the crank to check the belt. They didnt think I would see that!

 

if i were you, think 60k miles...

replace everything in there if you dont like tearing everything apart.

for me, to fix a few things, replaced rad, all belts, hoses and t-stat.

now water pump is leaking. last changed at 110k. now running around 180k...

good thing 3vz-e aint like a honda engine... non interference...