Evergreen Timing Belt Kit Water Pump: low cost === cheap parts?

Hey all,

I've got a '99 3.4 SR5 with 253,000. I bought around a year ago and have put 3,000 miles on it since. Mostly runs to Home Depot and Denver. I live in the foothills west of Denver so I'm not doing too much city driving, it's usually up or down on I-70 and other mountain driving. I've calculated out that I'm getting about ~24 mpg and things are running well so far with minimal work on my end. The truck is in good shape overall, runs solid and I'd like to keep it that way for a while longer, I love the 1st gen. With winter coming I'm hoping to knock out some work on it but since I bought it from a dealer the maintenance history is uncertain (aside from what I can see looking around the truck).

I've got leaking valve cover gasket that I'm about to replace with a Fel-Pro part. I've also got leaking crankcase gasket that I'm looking to replace.

I'm wondering if I should (would you?) check out/change timing belt/water pump while I'm in there? If I do go that route is there any beta on Evergreen Timing Belt & Water Pump,

$104 Evergreen TBK271WPT Compatible With Toyota 3.4 Pickup DOHC 5VZFE Timing Belt Kit Water Pump

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007P72SRE...UTF8&colid=2LELG8OEH9NL5&coliid=I2WD2A2EB4O5S ? I'm just unsure of the 17 reviews on Amazon and haven't found much elsewhere. I'd like to keep my costs down as this is not a primary vehicle but more of my "fun"/utility truck. Thanks,
- Chase

 

First, see how tight your valve covers are. Fixed my issue. They were really loose. My 98 also from a " I dunno dealer" could probably use the timing belt. Good news is these are non interference. Inspect the belt. If it looks old replace. Along with water pump, idler pully etc. I also enjoy my first gen. It's a rock solid pickup.

 

I wouldn't trust any of the parts shown because they do not appear to be genuine Toyota parts. They are only "Guaranteed to fit and meet the specifications of the OE parts being replaced". This is one job that I don't want to have to do over. Spend the extra $$ on the Ebay kit and get the fan belts and thermostat that is included in this all-Toyota kit.

 

@skeezix you're referring to this kit? http://www.ebay.com/itm/TIMING-BELT...ash=item2a144a37e8:g:C50AAOSwEK9UF0SF&vxp=mtr

 

I used the Aisin kit purchased from Rockauto for about 175. Aisin is OEM for Toyota so I was happy paying a little extra for the parts. The kit came with pulleys, water pump, tensioner (didn't install it), gasket, and timing belt.

 

That's the one. I installed that same exact kit. And what everyone recommends. 1200+ sold should say something about that as well

 

Yes, that's what I bought and used.

 

OE is the way to go. Especially with the crank and cam seals. I have heard aftermarket ones that have had a size variance issue. Also, the Aisin water pump is the way to go as well.

 

that aircabinman seller has good kits with all genuine oem Toyota parts so I would buy from him. most people here bought from him with rave reviews and great results

he has two kits, one with everything and one with the main components you need but without the fan belts and a few other things that is cheaper.

to be honest, even if you don't need fan belts I would get the complete kit but not install the fan belts and save them for when yours wear out.

here is the same kit from the same seller but $40 less http://www.ebay.com/itm/Toyota-3-4L...hash=item2c5bf69ef0:m:m4Q2V_w5K7vUbSPcBeUhWfA

 

this is the $140 genuine oem parts kit with just the timing belt, idler pulleys, and water pump with thermostat http://www.ebay.com/itm/Toyota-Truc...hash=item2a0fabf8c2:m:m87I00q9biFsG7F3CUkMYHg

it depends on how many miles are on your truck but if its the first belt change and your around 100k miles then you don't have to replace the belt tensioner or oil seals, I wouldn't think that's due for replacement until it has at least around 200k miles on it.

if your valve covers are leaking then go ahead and check you valve clearances and use his $32 kit to replace the valve cover gaskets at the same time http://www.ebay.com/itm/Valve-Cover...213863?hash=item2a0ea35de7:g:9tgAAOSwq7JULHpZ

 

We bought the following kit on Amazon and had our mechanic install it. In less than 5K miles, the belt broke, thrashed around inside the engine. We had to end up parting out our 2002 Honda Accord. We had kept this car well maintained. Do not buy OEM parts. 100% honest review
Evergreen TBK244VCT Fits 94-02 HM Honda Accord Acura Odyssey Isuzu Oasis 2.2 2.3 SOHC F22B1 F23A1 F23A4 F23A5 F23A7 Timing Belt Kit Valve Cover Gasket Water Pump