I have a '98 4Runner SR5, 3.4L v-6. I had the original timing belt and water pump replaced at around 75,000. The odometer just rolled over to 150,000.

I remember the mechanic telling me that I "should probably" replace these again at 150K. Now that I'm here, is this a good/bad idea?

She runs just fine so I don't want to put undue strain on anything by installing a shiny new timing belt, but I also don't want the thing to break while I'm rolling down the highway. And I've always heard that "while they have the water pump off, go ahead and replace it."

Whatever I do I'm at the mercy of my local mechanic since I'm basically lost between the front grill and the firewall.

What words of wisdom would you bestow on your humble learner, oh wise sages of Yota?

 

Proactive preventative maintenance...not reactive fixit after it busts.

 

Well the replacement interval is every 75,000 miles so if you want to be safe replace it. Having said that manufacturers tend to be conservative on their belt replacement intervals so you may be able to get another 10,000, or 20,000, or 30,000 miles. If the belt does break there won't be any damage to the engine, but the truck will stop instantly and good old Murphy will intervene, so it probably won't be at a convenient place or time. A new belt won't strain anything, and there isn't really any way to tell when the old one will break.

Basically it comes down to how much do you want to gamble with it. And add this to the equation, if your wife/girl friend drives the truck and it breaks while she's driving then you'll spend the remainder of your life hearing about it.

 

nevermind

 

 

non-interference engine so you can't send a piston into a valve

 

The timing belt service interval is 90,000 miles.

http://www.motor.com/MAGAZINE/Articles/012007_04.html

From link above:

But...

 

Its more like when the timing belt is being done you might as well do the water pump.

A timing belt im sure is underated by %50 of its life time. I had 200,xxxkms on my timing belt on my car and then sold it. I still see it runing around and im positive that the guy that bought has not replaced it either.

 

185k and going on original belt.....I have my belt & pump in the back of my truck...Just need to get around to doing it :sigh:

 

Im now at 95K on the original belt and pump. Took the cover off and it still looked brand new...gambling till 120K to replace it along with the pump.

 

run it

 

I would run it for a while longer. It is a non-interference engine, so in the unlikely event that it does break or shuck the cogs, you will not do serious engine damage. You said the water pump has been replaced, so that should be good for a while too.

The t-belt interval on my Tundra with the 4.7 is 90k too. It is an interference engine though, so it would likely bend valves if the t-belt broke. I replaced the belt and water pump at 109k. The belt looked fine, the pump had evidence of a slight weepage. I think I would have had water pump issues long before the belt gave out.

 

The change interval is 90k MILES. Don't know where people get 75k from. Mine is at 123k miles on the original belt. I'll probably end up changing it at 150k, unless the water pump goes before that. Belt still looks brand new.

 

Thanks, everyone. I think I'll give it a little bit longer but start stuffing some bucks into a jar so I can have the belt replaced sooner rather than later. I agree with waskillywabbit's "proactive" instead of "reactive" approach. Dead cars (or SUVs as the case may be) are truly no fun to push!

 

my first belt was replaced at 130k.

i say stretch it out especially if you dont rev high (over 3k)

general rule is 100k change, so 175-200k range before u change again

 

is there website or intructions how to replace timing belt on 90 toyota v6 and if so should i go ahead and replace the water pump to thanks

 

My 3.4 in my Tacoma has well over 200k on this belt probably close to 300k...I took it out and it was mildly worn, if it wasn't for the fact that I kad to do the water pump I would never have cracked it apart to do a belt.Every mechanic says the same thing about changing them!!

 

IMO the timing belt 90k interval is a joke and nothing more than a sleazy way to milk money.
The so-called "interval" should be 130K+ ...evidence of that is overwhelming.

 

Its the waterpump thats more critical than the timing belt,So If you had to change just one thing..

For my personal vehical I do the front(waterpump,thermostst,t-belt,seals) every 100k or so..I also recommend this to friends and family,even though I say that..I dont see the vehical till 110-120k or so.

Although the next t-belt I do at 200k+ its getting new idlers..Because I had to go through some down time(wait on parts) to get a new one installed(idler)on the last one I did...

 

I agree about replacing everything at t-belt service interval time.

the water pump and even the seals are important too..

i had a customer who's t-belt failed just after 12k because his previous mechanic did'nt replace the cam and crank seals. his t-belt was so saturated with engine oil, it stripped the cogs in the t-belt.. his tacoma had 160k.

and on a different incident this other mechanic tried to cut corners on this lady's 97 4-runner and had only replaced the t-belt. we'll, 2 weeks later her water pump went out!

man i tell you, being honest and doing fair business goes hand in hand.
as far as i know, one of these mechanics is no longer in business and the other i think he got taken to court.

Mike
________________________

85 Toyota p/u 4X4 & matching trailer
SBC 327 (and its too damn powerful)

99 Toyota 4-Runner 4X4
(wifeys)

69 Kaiser Jeepster Commando 4X4
(27k original miles, my daily driver)