3.4 V-6 Timing Belt Replacement ?

[srsupertrap]

I recently purchased my 2001 Tacoma TRD with 104K so I have a couple of questions concerning the timing belt replacement, tools required etc. I have previously replaced the T-belt on a 95 Pathfinder and one of my concerns when performing that job was breaking loose the Harmonic Balancer bolt. I put the gear shifter in 1st gear and broke the bolt loose with a long breaker bar. No harm no foul but perhaps I was just lucky nothing snapped in the drive train.

The Tacoma Factory Manual illustrates a special tool to secure the harmonic balancer while loosening the harmonic balancer bolt. My question is do I absolutely need the special tool to perform the job or is there another safe method of breaking loose the harmonic balancer bolt without damaging anything else? Or put another way the preferred method?

Second, while I am in there should I replace the water pump with another Toyota OEM water pump? I have no history with Tacoma's but as I when I replaced the 95 Pathfinder T-Belt @ 84K the water pump started making noise @ 129K and I had to go back in to replace that component and go through the entire process again.

Anything else I need to be aware of . . .

TIA

[EnolaGaia]

You may as well replace the water pump while you've got the front of the engine disassembled.

If you live near a well-equipped tool rental outlet you may be able to rent the special service tool (SST). Some folks have fabricated tools / pieces required. Trying to break and re-tighten certain bolts without some sort of special tool is a major PITA.

[rpoint16]

On my 95 V-6, I had the belt replaced at 100K. Did not do water pump.

I'll go in a different direction here. I do my own brakes, fuel filter, belts, master cylinders, etc...and am relativley mechanically inclined, but have never done a timing belt. Most Toyota dealerships have monthly timing belt specials for around $200- $225. I don't have alot of specialty tools, & dont want to spend a full day doing a project like that with the headaches.

[Janster]

Definately replace the water pump & thermostat while you're in there.

Also, replace the accessory belts too. Peace of mind.

My husband and I replaced the water pump on my 96 (3.4L) several years back. We didn't change the timing belt because we had the Saturn dealership (where I bought the truck) pay for having it changed when we purchased the truck (they refused to pay to have the other stuff done).

I owned the truck for about 10K miles before I started loosing radiator fluid in the overflow tank. I kept topping it off for about a year (can't remember exactly) before the leak was noticable enough that I knew where it was coming from. The water pump never failed, but the gasket material that seals it to the side of the block deteriorated and that's where the leak came from.

Here's a writeup on how we did it:
http://www.lieblweb.com/tacoma/Mecha.../WaterPump.htm

[Cobra69]

Originally Posted by rpoint16

On my 95 V-6, I had the belt replaced at 100K. Did not do water pump.

I'll go in a different direction here. I do my own brakes, fuel filter, belts, master cylinders, etc...and am relativley mechanically inclined, but have never done a timing belt. Most Toyota dealerships have monthly timing belt specials for around $200- $225. I don't have alot of specialty tools, & dont want to spend a full day doing a project like that with the headaches.

Dam........$200-225 to change the timing belt out? I need to drive to your dealership.............mine up here want like 700-800 to do it.

[HerNameIsLucy]

Haynes says to jam the flexplate or flywheel by sticking something in and catching a bolt on it. Sounds nearly impossible to me.

[srsupertrap]

[quote=Janster;247947]
Here's a writeup on how we did it:
http://www.lieblweb.com/tacoma/Mechanical/WaterPump/WaterPump.htm[/quote]

Janster,

That's a nice write up you did, I am inclined to agree with you and replace everything once I get in there. When I replaced my Pathfinder water pump I let it sit overnight to cure before filling the radiator and going to work. Makes me wonder how dealerships & independent shops handle those repairs since time is money. Do they dare filling the radiator before the RTV has cured and risk a potential leak