1. Welcome to Tacoma World!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics
    • Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Pushing the limit on timing belt.....

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by hardtaco, Nov 14, 2009.

  1. Nov 14, 2009 at 10:53 AM
    #1
    hardtaco

    hardtaco [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 10, 2007
    Member:
    #2657
    Messages:
    431
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jason
    Sarasota, FL
    Vehicle:
    08 PreRunner DCSB
    How many out there have gone beyond the recommended 90,000 mile suggested timing belt change? I know it is expensive, and to be honest, I really do not know who to trust to do such a job. I have just hit 70,000 miles, and am looking ahead at what to do when I hit that 90,000 mile mark. May trade in on a second generation at that point in time. Has anyone just ignored the suggested 90,000 mile belt change and she is still kickin? This is for my 04 3.4L V-6.
     
  2. Nov 14, 2009 at 11:01 AM
    #2
    chris4x4

    chris4x4 With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine. Moderator

    Joined:
    May 8, 2008
    Member:
    #6497
    Messages:
    112,751,503
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    FlimFlubberJAM
    Tenoe, AZ
    Vehicle:
    2019 Rubicon 4 Door,
    4.10 gears, sliders, and lots of buttons.
    They can go at anytime after 90K. I know someone on here that has over 110k on his, but hes changeing it ASAP. I have heard of a few people going to 120k, but I also know of a guy that had his break at 95k......
     
  3. Nov 14, 2009 at 2:38 PM
    #3
    noahrexion

    noahrexion Member

    Joined:
    Oct 7, 2009
    Member:
    #23935
    Messages:
    10
    Gender:
    Male
    Colorado
    At exact 90,001 miles it can break at any time...

    Check it out and see, it is like anything else. Its not an interference motor so it wouldn't be death if it broke. My truck - wasn't mine at the time - went 190k miles on its 2nd belt and when I replaced it about 4 months ago it really didn't look too bad.
     
  4. Nov 14, 2009 at 5:07 PM
    #4
    NotstockTRD

    NotstockTRD TRD

    Joined:
    Jun 18, 2008
    Member:
    #7393
    Messages:
    179
    st louis
    Vehicle:
    99 TRD Prerunner V6 with many mods..
    Shitloads
    I have 145,xxx no issues... original belt on my 99'
     
  5. Nov 14, 2009 at 5:48 PM
    #5
    hardtaco

    hardtaco [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 10, 2007
    Member:
    #2657
    Messages:
    431
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jason
    Sarasota, FL
    Vehicle:
    08 PreRunner DCSB

    Dang, good to hear!
     
  6. Nov 14, 2009 at 6:16 PM
    #6
    NotstockTRD

    NotstockTRD TRD

    Joined:
    Jun 18, 2008
    Member:
    #7393
    Messages:
    179
    st louis
    Vehicle:
    99 TRD Prerunner V6 with many mods..
    Shitloads
    that fucking service is expensive at the dealership around 700$ and a pain in the ass if you do it yourself..
    Im just waiting till it breaks or i want to spend the money.. for now I got other stuff i can do with 700$
     
  7. Nov 14, 2009 at 7:29 PM
    #7
    slickyd

    slickyd Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 7, 2009
    Member:
    #18130
    Messages:
    322
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    David
    Talladega, AL
    Vehicle:
    03 PreRunner SR5
    it is really $700 at the dealership? Is that for both the timing belt and water pump? I need to have this done but haven't started to look into prices yet.
     
  8. Nov 14, 2009 at 8:51 PM
    #8
    NotstockTRD

    NotstockTRD TRD

    Joined:
    Jun 18, 2008
    Member:
    #7393
    Messages:
    179
    st louis
    Vehicle:
    99 TRD Prerunner V6 with many mods..
    Shitloads
    yeah labor -waterpump-tensioners- new seals-belt too much $$$
     
  9. Nov 14, 2009 at 8:58 PM
    #9
    fletch aka

    fletch aka www.BeLikeBrit.org

    Joined:
    Jan 4, 2009
    Member:
    #12223
    Messages:
    7,080
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Gary
    Left Coast
    Vehicle:
    09 Magnetic Gray TRD OffRoad
    TRD cat back exhaust, TRD Cold Air Intake, differential breather mod' Hellwig rear sway bar, 16x8 TRD Ivan Stewart's, Michelin LTX A/T2, DTRL Stealth Mode Mod, custom "Texas Edition" shift knob, Sock's "Classic" bedside decals, MetalMiller custom grill emblem, 20% front tinted windows, tinted taillights, Viper alarm, ScanGauge II, Flyzeye Designs V2W Tacoma Interior LED lighting, de-mud flapped, de-badged, extra D-rings under bed bolts, WeatherTech ED floor mats, G4 Elite Fold a Cover ,Toyota bed mat, tailgate theft deterrent device and absolutely no plasti-dip!
    I have seen belts worn out that just keep on going and I have seen belts that look like they just came out of the box that broke. If it looks worn now, I would replace it now. If you are at the recommended milage and even if it looks like new, I would replace it. Don't screw around with a timing belt.
     
  10. Nov 14, 2009 at 9:00 PM
    #10
    chris4x4

    chris4x4 With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine. Moderator

    Joined:
    May 8, 2008
    Member:
    #6497
    Messages:
    112,751,503
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    FlimFlubberJAM
    Tenoe, AZ
    Vehicle:
    2019 Rubicon 4 Door,
    4.10 gears, sliders, and lots of buttons.
    X2. You cant judge the condition of the timing belt, or any for that matter, simply by "Looks".
     
  11. Nov 14, 2009 at 9:01 PM
    #11
    chris4x4

    chris4x4 With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine. Moderator

    Joined:
    May 8, 2008
    Member:
    #6497
    Messages:
    112,751,503
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    FlimFlubberJAM
    Tenoe, AZ
    Vehicle:
    2019 Rubicon 4 Door,
    4.10 gears, sliders, and lots of buttons.
    And if you think you may be saveing a little cash by waiting, I have found the belts seem to break when you have the least amount of money in your checking account, and are the furthest away from help.
     
  12. Nov 14, 2009 at 9:58 PM
    #12
    fletch aka

    fletch aka www.BeLikeBrit.org

    Joined:
    Jan 4, 2009
    Member:
    #12223
    Messages:
    7,080
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Gary
    Left Coast
    Vehicle:
    09 Magnetic Gray TRD OffRoad
    TRD cat back exhaust, TRD Cold Air Intake, differential breather mod' Hellwig rear sway bar, 16x8 TRD Ivan Stewart's, Michelin LTX A/T2, DTRL Stealth Mode Mod, custom "Texas Edition" shift knob, Sock's "Classic" bedside decals, MetalMiller custom grill emblem, 20% front tinted windows, tinted taillights, Viper alarm, ScanGauge II, Flyzeye Designs V2W Tacoma Interior LED lighting, de-mud flapped, de-badged, extra D-rings under bed bolts, WeatherTech ED floor mats, G4 Elite Fold a Cover ,Toyota bed mat, tailgate theft deterrent device and absolutely no plasti-dip!
    True timing belt story, my parents gave my son Josh, he was 17 at the time their old 1982 240 Volvo had like 60,000 miles on it, mint condition.
    He was coming home from his job Wally world and the timing belt broke in front of our house. How lucky is that! Best part, this model of Volvo pistons don't meet valves when the belt brakes. Even better, his uncle, my older brother is a Volvo master mechanic. Came over fixed it in front of the house for free. Changed out the water pump and all the front seals at the same time.
     
  13. Nov 15, 2009 at 11:32 AM
    #13
    noahrexion

    noahrexion Member

    Joined:
    Oct 7, 2009
    Member:
    #23935
    Messages:
    10
    Gender:
    Male
    Colorado

    False. You can't predict, or be perfect with it (no science to it) but you can most DEFINITELY get an idea of the belts condition - it is in fact a reinforced rubber belt, not dissimilar from your accessory belts, which are likely judged EVERY time they are inspected.

    Recommendations are recommendations, each driver will take their own amount of risk when it comes to maintenance on their own vehicles. What happens when your alternator belt snaps on a road trip? What happens when little by little your gear oil is breaking down and causing your diff to wear "that" much more? Have you ever flushed your power steering fluid? So on and so forth, everyone is different.

    OP: If you can't afford the belt job then perhaps you should save for it. I am not advocating you do it right at 90k miles - like I said mine was 190k miles before it was changed. Just realize what sort of situation you will be in if it does snap. Its also not just a matter of replacing the belt, sometimes when a t-belt snaps other damage can occur, keep that in mind.
     
  14. Nov 15, 2009 at 1:24 PM
    #14
    chris4x4

    chris4x4 With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine. Moderator

    Joined:
    May 8, 2008
    Member:
    #6497
    Messages:
    112,751,503
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    FlimFlubberJAM
    Tenoe, AZ
    Vehicle:
    2019 Rubicon 4 Door,
    4.10 gears, sliders, and lots of buttons.
    It is not "False". You Can not accurately determine the condition of the belt by looking at it.
     
  15. Nov 15, 2009 at 1:38 PM
    #15
    98tacoma27

    98tacoma27 is going full "SANDWICH" Moderator

    Joined:
    Dec 18, 2008
    Member:
    #11714
    Messages:
    67,709
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ben
    Not Beech Creek
    Vehicle:
    05 Tundra SR5 (+295k AND COUNTING), 2006 F350 King Ranch 6.0L
    Some stuff. Not a lot, just some.
    Unless you have x-ray vision and can see the inner webbing. :p
     
  16. Nov 15, 2009 at 1:41 PM
    #16
    JimBeam

    JimBeam BECAUSE INTERNETS!! Moderator

    Joined:
    Apr 14, 2008
    Member:
    #5966
    Messages:
    51,773
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    JB
    Vehicle:
    2015 Tundra
  17. Nov 15, 2009 at 2:07 PM
    #17
    Afwrestler1986

    Afwrestler1986 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 20, 2008
    Member:
    #6768
    Messages:
    3,650
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Matt
    Johnstown, NY
    Vehicle:
    01 trd 4X4 ex cab manual
    Gray wire, Some lights in the bed area, and some character marks throughout.
    i had 142k on mine. I changed it myself. And did a T-100 the next day for practice. not too bad if you have a good weekend and some tools. It is recommended at 90k for a reason.It may not break on you, but I can tell you for a fact that they will stretch up to a half inch. which could be worse than breaking.
     
  18. Nov 15, 2009 at 2:10 PM
    #18
    chris4x4

    chris4x4 With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine. Moderator

    Joined:
    May 8, 2008
    Member:
    #6497
    Messages:
    112,751,503
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    FlimFlubberJAM
    Tenoe, AZ
    Vehicle:
    2019 Rubicon 4 Door,
    4.10 gears, sliders, and lots of buttons.
    true!.
     
  19. Nov 15, 2009 at 2:46 PM
    #19
    kadukukilla671

    kadukukilla671 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2009
    Member:
    #23395
    Messages:
    58
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jon
    Las vegas
    Vehicle:
    08 SR5 4x4
    TRD drop in filter, flowmaster 50series muffler
    i had a 96 T100 3.4 v6 5spd 4wd sr5. and had 145k with original t belt with no problems.. i miss that truck the only problem i ever had since new was i had to replace the clutch and throwout bearing. other than that just kept up with minor serivces and she kept going.. untill we had a flash flood in vegas one year and it got swept away lol.
     
  20. Dec 23, 2009 at 7:06 PM
    #20
    steve o 77

    steve o 77 braaap

    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2009
    Member:
    #26726
    Messages:
    19,924
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Steven
    In a corn field, OH
    Vehicle:
    1990 Chevy Siveraydo
    245k+ miles, rust, working AC, bald eagles
    Ok, I just got done doing the timing belt with my dad on my '01 with 156,000 miles. I bought the truck at 146,000 so I figured the previous owner must have changed it. Well when we got in there, the water pump had obviously been leaking horribly and built up a huge crust of coolant and dirt. There were literally chunks of it falling all over the place and a tunnel bored through the massive crust by the belt. The idler pullies also looked like they had rubber burnt on them but it turned out to be more coolant. I am pretty sure everything was original due to how bad it all looked. When we got it back together it started right up and even seems to run smoother.:)
    I recommend just getting it done at 90k. It isnt the belt I am really worried about but rather the water pump.
     

Products Discussed in

To Top