this is how I accessed that hidden back bolt for the timing belt tensioner...
I was nice to have a second person up top guiding things with their finger...

anyways, got it all back together today and went to start it...

and it doesnt start. I hear the solenoid clicking fast...so i check the battery since it has been sitting a week and it is 11.42 V
so i'm charging it now and crossing my fingers

 

11.42v is not going to get ya turned over. With a good battery I read about 12.35.

I am crossing my fingers as well. I will even try toes.

 

i hate that feeling. I did my wife's '00 TL and same thing, plus I destroyed the power steering pump by over-tightening the belt tension. But I hate that Acura. Don't worry - it'll start.

 

it's alive! (evil laugh)

seems to run great and as normal

and biker, i know what you mean about over tightening belts, and i'm usually pretty careful.

thanks everyone for all the help with my first 4runner timing belt!
now, in a week or two my buddy wants me to help him do his on his 96 tacoma 3.4
so i can pay it forward and help somebody else with my new found experience.

in a few weeks it is on to the valve cover gaskets

thx again everybody

 

woot woot! good deal, very cool; glad she's runnin'.

big confidence booster, eh??

 

valve cover gaskets will be a walk in the park - just a messy and frustrating walk. It feels pretty darn good to do your first timing belt, so congrats!

 

yes it is a confidence booster and gives a nice sense of accomplishment
and it soooo nice knowing i just saved several hundreds of dollars on labor costs

 

Good job Matt. Got any more pics to post?

The first drive belts I ever changed I killed the alternator by tightening it too much. But I was 17, and am now twice that age but not twice as smart.

I used this guide to change the valve cover gaskets:

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f2/5...beware-149594/

 

Super, Matt! Nothing like a good strong vrrrrrrmmmm. Passing it forward is what it's all about around here.

 

hey, thanks for the tutorial link! I'm actually on vacation and dont have internet at the place we are staying, so missed your response.
I dont really have many other pics, as I wasnt really thinking of doing a step by step, as there are other tutorials already...
but when I do the valve cover, I plan to do a picture write up

 

I agree!
I will take some pics and report on his timing belt change when we do it in a week or two