I've got a water leak from under the timing belt cover on my 3.0 so I'm going to replace the water pump as well as the timing belt while I'm in there. I've read all the posts here about this job; lots of very helpful info.
Thing is; I live in the boonies where it's hard to get parts so I need to get all the parts I need before I start. The only thing I have a question about is the timing belt tensioner. I'm pretty sure it's hydraulic, but before I buy parts, I want to be sure. I figure there are plenty of folks here that would know.
Thanks in advance-Ron B

 

You should have the hydraulic tensioner, but by chance someone befor you replaced the engine with an earlier one . You should be able to see the body of the hydraulic tensioner on the passanger side below the power steering pump.You cant miss it .

 

It's not likely the TENSIONER has gone south, although it's possible. I'd replace BOTH idler pulleys, however.

There's a test for the tensioner in the FSM on page Eg2-40: http://personal.utulsa.edu/~nathan-b...67timingbe.pdf

 

I think while I'm in there, I might as well replace everything so I don't have to do it again. I'll have a look to see if I can see it under the P/S pump. It's probably covered with ATF because the power steering pump leaks like a sieve. While everything is apart, I think I'll replace it as well.

 

If you get on the ground & peek up through the rubber fender skirt in your passenger front fender well, you can get a look at it between the A/C lines (need flashlight!). That's the easiest access to remove it as well (several extensions & a wobbly 14 mm socket work best).

 

make sure its the pws pump thats bad a lot of times there is a vacuume switch on the back that can go bad and leak.

 

I might clean off the pump and wrap a paper towel around the bottom of the reservoir. If I'm lucky, maybe the 'O' ring between the pump and reservoir is bad and I can get away with replacing just the 'O' ring without taking the pump off.

 

Good luck getting the pulley off; I haven't found one yet that would come out without bending the crap out of it...I just bought a rebuilt pump & changed them out.

 

If there's one thing I'm good at; it's bending the crap out of stuff. Odds are I'll wind up with a reman pump.

 

Got the timing belt kit, water pump and tensioner from these guys. Ready to start the summer 4runner improvement project.
Looks like the power steering pump is leaking from the rear, probably one or both of those two 'O' rings in there. Debating whether I should try and replace the 'O' rings, or buy a reman pump. I ran across these guys selling P/S pumps. Wonder if they are worth the $113?

 

This may help you?..... here is a short cut to a thread I started a while back (timing belt replacement)it has lots of pics including the tensioner your asking about...it's not perfect but it may help
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f116...s-pics-183911/
Dwayne

 

Thanks for that tutorial buckz6319, I did check that out after searching for info about the timing belt replacement. Looks like we have the same 4Runner.
It's not a tough job, but it never hurts to have some advice to cut a few corners.