I have a 1999 SR5V6 4Runner with 80,000 miles. Do I need to replace the timing belt, or can I take the risk and keep driving it?

Questions are:

(1) At what mileage do timing belts on 3rd generation 4Runners usually break?

(2) What are the consequences of a timing belt breaking when you are on the road? Will it really bend the valves of an engine and cost thousands of dollars to fix if the timing belt breaks while you are driving?

 

on the newer cars it is recommended to do it every 80k miles.... a lot of the newer vehicles are what they call zero tolerance engines... if it breaks, things will be bent and this will mean a lot of money to fix..... also when doing hte timing belt (this might jsut be na indusrty recomendation type thing) its advised to replace the water pump as well....

 

I thought it was 90k.

I got mine replaced at 60k only because I was going on a really long trip when I hit 60k and wanted to be on the safe side. I would suggest getting it done soon. real soon to be safe. my stealer usually has coupons or even 15% off labor for lady;s on wednesdays so get a girl to bring it in there for you. I think a 3.4 runs about $225 or something like that. I would suggest having them throw all new belts on there too since they pull them anyway.

 

Everywhere I've asked for my taco Ive been told no more than 90 miles and to get the other belts done and check the waterpump also. The 3.4 in the taco which is the same as 3.4 in the runner I assume is not damaged internally when the timing belt breaks which is good, but not great if your in the middle of no where.

 

I think all Toyota engines are "non-interference", which means that the valves and piston do not occupy the same space at different times...or interfere. I've always found that the belts will go about twice as far as Toy recommends. I got about 180K off the one in my Corolla and replaced my 4runner's at about 160K at the dealer's insistance. But I did the job myself. If your V-Belts are original, and still in good shape, chances are pretty good that your timing belt is also. Keep your money in your pocket for a while longer.

 

I have heard 60K miles on the 96-98 and I think the newer 3rd gen's are recommended at 90K.

I had mine done at 60K, and I will probably let it go until 140K or so before changing it again.

My celica just truned to 60K, I had the belts replaced and the timing belt was really close to breaking. It was frayed and missing pieces. Than again it is 12 years old! :pat:

 

I believe that the 3.0 and the 3.4 are both NON-interference engines. That's what I've heard from people on this board. And in my opinion, i'll change it when it breaks.

The 22RE however, I think is an interference engine, but timing chains rarely break anyway if you keep the oil right. You can usually notice rough running as the chain gets slack in it too.

 

jeeze, there's alot of ballsy people around here. I would have to be on a trail or down at Surfside Beach when mine broke, or half way back to Mobile. I would rather fork out the dough near the recommended time for something as stranding as a timing belt. towing to a stealer or even sitting on the side of the road changing it yourself combined with the inconvenience of an unexpected break is reason enough for me. Plus if the stealer does it, the job is garanteed.

 

Thankya....Thankya....

 

That used to be true if an engine had a belt. They are getting away from that as the new 4Runner V8 is belt and IS interference.

 

Well, these are 6 cylinders, not 4. Usually a timing belt will last longer on them. They're also not exactly pocket rockets. It's not all that common that they break from what I've seen. If you're not racing around all the time you're not going to be near as hard on a belt as you could be. I'll probably change my 99 somewhere between 150k and 200k. I'll run the 90 until it breaks, because i never take it on long enough trips to matter. You can visually inspect the belt for wear cracks. It's all relative to your driving style and even the environment and whole host of other factors.

 

I agree completely. From my line of work in machine maintenance I am pretty anal about doing things on time. My belt will be replaced around 90k regardless, prob do the waterpump too. I plan on keeping this truck for a very long time so all this stuff will get done when due.

 

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