2001 Tacoma 185K with no timing belt or water pump?

Just found a good deal on 2001 tacoma 185K but the owner said that he never had to do a timing belt or water pump replacement and that he did all his services himself. Should I be concerned with this or is this fairly normal for this many miles?

 

I mean, as long as the truck hasn't overheated and obviously the timing belt hasn't broken (It's non-interference anyways) I don't see why it's a big deal

 

Well, it's a preventative maintenance deal. You wanna do it BEFORE it becomes an issue. So if I were you I would plan on doing it in the near future. I put mine off for too long and it locked up on me. At like 170k. Locked up driving down the highway. Shredded the timing belt. Which was no big deal because I would be replaced the belt at the same time. But was not pretty. I imagine if I left it running and not shut her down immediately it could've been worse... It didn't have the usual weeping signs either, but I did have a dry bearing sound. So I assumed it was something else like an external pulley. But yeah. Do not want to let it go until last minute. Again I would plan on doing this asap. Especially not knowing if it's never been done. Was it a one owner? Of so and he's never done it, then yeah for sure do it soon. 185k is pushing it. I think some guys have had theirs last longer, but I don't see any reason to put it off. Iirc, the service interval for that is something like every 90k miles.

 

Not a huge deal OP. Only thing is it's over due and will cost around $800 so factor that into your costs.

 

Not a big deal. I went 225,000. Oops.

 

A friend of mine drove his 97 until the belt broke pulling into work one day at about 260k. Had a shop next door replace it while he was at work. Now it's at 350k and still going strong.

 

Would you rather wait until the belt busts and you are stranded, or would you rather spend the money now and replace the timing belt and water pump and drive another 100k without having to worry about it? It's up to you. I replaced my belt and pump at 90K. The belt looked fine and the pump was just starting to leak a tiny bit. The pump pulley was a bit rough though and just starting to wobble, ever-so-slightly.

Total cost to me was about $250 from Ebay for Toyota parts and I did the work myself. Now I have a new timing belt and pump, new tension pulley, new idler pulley, a new thermostat and three new exterior belts (in case I put another 50k on it), peace of mind, and the satisfaction of knowing the job was done right.

 

Which motor does it have?

 

gotta have 3.4

 

So what happens if you completely ignore replacing it? The belt just snaps and your engine dies? What happens after that, time for a new engine?

 

The 3.4 is not an interference engine, so there will be no internal damage if it breaks. You'll be left stranded though.


I wouldn't worry about the timing belt so much as the water pump, a bad water pump can lead to overheating and more expensive damage.

 

Here's what happens if the water pump locks up. Since this happened I am a firm believer in preventative maintenance. Instead of the mindset of "if it ain't broke don't fix it". My brother tried telling me this. Because he constantly works on his vehicles even though nothing's really wrong and I didn't get it till then. He's never been stranded or down for repairs.



And yes, having the dealer or other shop do it for you will be around that $800 range. And that's just for the pump itself and timing belt, not all the bells and whistles that come with the diy kit. If you diy op, it will be about a days work, maybe two afternoons like me, at about $300 plus coolant. There's quite a few threads in here about it as well as a detailed write-up somewhere.

Edit: and I suppose it's not THAT huge of a deal. I mean, if you don't have any signs it's going out (coolant weep/worn bearing sound) then you should be good for a while. And it's not gonna hurt it if it does fail. Except the overheating issue may cause damage if you don't catch it. The temp gauge is not very accurate and will allow that temp to skyrocket before it gets in the red. Just keep it in mind op, and as soon as you get the time/money, go ahead and do it. If you want or need to put it off, just keep an eye on things. That temp gauge occasionally, as well as taking a peek underneath occasionally for signs of coolant leak. Most likely the water pump will fail before the belt.

 

Unless the po didn't do it cause it doesn't have one

Assume nothing

 

If it's a decent price use it as bargaining power.

If it's me I'd plan to do it shortly, as was said before preventive maintainence

 

Oh yeah. Good point. I hadn't realized he was just looking at this vehicle and contemplating purchasing due to the fact it hadnt been done. So yeah I wouldn't consider that to be a determining factor in purchasing. But I would use it for bargaining. Worth a shot. I wouldn't be a dick about it. But be like "hey, since it hasn't been done and will need to be done soon, how's about you take like a grand off so I can get the service done at a shop"

Unless the price already reflects that since you said it was a good deal.. But yeah I wouldn't worry about it. If it runs great and no other issues, and is a good deal, snag her up mang! But again plan on doing it in the near future. Once that's done you will be golden for At least another 100k.

 

then its a 2.7.......

 

Hence the reason for asking what motor was in it