Timing belt project

ok, trying to get the courage to tackle some projects on my truck myself after reading threads on here. Very inspiring.... kinda.

My truck is a double cab trd prerunner at 170k miles and we have put just over 100k of those on it. I believe the timing belt is now way over due for a rebuild. I watched a video someone posted that was a bit helpful and will probably refer to it if I tackle this but I guess I’m wondering if I should or not. If I mess it up will I do significant harm to the truck? Is it an easy project that just takes a lot of time or is it better to just let the pros do it? I have a bid from a shop for around $750 including labor. I believe if I do it I will have to buy a couple tools but I think I have most everything else.

Am I asking for trouble trying to start at the timing belt or is it easy enough that I can do it with enough patience? Truck isn’t a daily driver so it can sit in prices as I slowly work through it if necessary. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

I did mine in a weekend. Pretty easy to do with videos and minimal mechanical competence. It will take some specialty tools though. I purchased all the tools needed as I plan on having the truck for a long time and will likely have to do the timing belt and water pump multiple times. You might see if you have a local page here on TW where you can hook up with others in your area to borrow tools and/or knowledge. My vote: do it yourself.

 

You can do it. There is tons of info on here about it.
Also, see two part videos by Timmie the Toolman.

https://www.youtube.com/user/mtbtim65/videos

 

Do it dude. I'm not super mechanically inclined and I'm halfway through replacing the valve cover gaskets at the moment. Timing Belt is also coming up very soon on my list!
The info on here has saved me god knows how much money and given me a ton of confidence to tackle things myself.

Biggest piece of advice is do your homework and take your time. You have the luxury of not needing it as a DD, so take advantage of that.

 

Money saved is one thing. For me, it's all about knowing that the work is done RIGHT! I have been burned too many times by shops doing half ass work. Also, while you are in there, you can assess the rest of the components that are not usually covered by a standard TB/WP job (i.e. cam seals, idler pulley etc). DO IT!

 

Are you buying genuine Toyota parts or aftermarket.
I have seen many timing belt kits ranging from $40 to $200.
Not sure what’s the best brand for the cost.

 

I remember reading that aslin (sp?) is a solid brand. The kit I saw for them is $200. If I tackle this, it will be with the best parts possible. I wouldn’t want to cut corners on stuff like this. Saving a ton in labor doesn’t gain anything if you throw in janky parts I imagine.

I am going to ask around and see if anyone has the special tools I can borrow. I watched the video posted above and it definitely looks like I will need those. Still trying to decide if I tackle this or not but the video definitely helps!

 

This is the one you want...

https://www.ebay.com/p/Genuine-Timi...g5XqyU4jxkdc-gDhYo7iizVo01Lt6JvRoCyfkQAvD_BwE

 

I bought my truck with 160k and am not sure when the timing belt was done, rolling up on 250k now and running strong so I plan on doing this in the next 5k miles aswell. About to start collecting parts and specialty tools.

 

This is a hard call to make it comes down to your mechanical aptitude .

I worked with people over the years while willing could not even manage to change oil .

The good thing is other then maybe broken hardware if something is done wrong the engine just will not start .

I think getting the plastic clips on sensors off without breaking can be interesting

My timing belt is the original at 225,000 one of these days

 

I agree with you here, but if someone wasn’t capable of changing their own oil I can’t imagine them thinking this would be a job possible for them.

Timmie the toolman has helped a lot of people with his YouTube channel. I’m going to buy the specialty tools before starting but am definitely excited about tackling this project and learning. There are enough Toyota’s in my family that doing this project will give me tools, knowledge, experience and confidence to do it again.

 

I have been burned too many times by shops doing half ass work.

I'll say... but you have to try a couple to get a good one. I can say
that I'm glad the dealer in Anderson SC changed out my timing belt ($240)
and my valve cover gasket/half moons ($724)... if the timing belt
seems less expensive than expected (Ida know) it is because
"they were already in there" with the vcg...

They did some other stuff too... my still-sort-of-new-to-me tacoma
finally drives pretty much like a new one... there's enough new
parts in the front end that it ought to

-Mike

 

So this one is quite a bit more expensive but looks like it has a lot more stuff in it. Are those extra things important to change out or should I do that when I do a belt replacement in the 250-300k mileage range and just the basic change put the first time?

 

It's honestly one of those things where if you're in there, why not you know. I bought a kit off ebay as well with all Aisin or Toyota OEM parts for $250 but it didn't include new drive belts... which will run about $40-$60 for a set. But, while you're in there, replacing all the tensioner bearings, the thermostat and water pump are pretty standard.

 

Yep, pretty much do it while you are in there. It's really not that much extra money for OEM quality parts and it would really suck to have to basically re-do the job because you didn't change a tensioner pulley while you had it taken apart (or whatever other part that could fail). Most shops will use inferior parts or will literally only replace the TB/WP leaving you vulnerable to ancillary part failure.

 

+ (whatever number upto now)

 

Ok so is there a list of the specialty tools I will need access to? I watched the video posted above and he shows how to use them but I did not really understand what he called them and would love to just have a list so I could either buy to borrow them easily. Thanks!

 

The special tools used are in the video description.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/vHC46ypHxWc

https://www.youtube.com/embed/mErd7xoBS9I

 

Thank you! I watched this on my tv and couldn’t (don’t know how to) look at the description. Super helpful!

 

I highly recommend you buy Toyota OEM belts and gaskets. Bearings aren’t as finicky. Definitely replace your water pump and pulley bearings while you’re in there. Buy the $100 timing belt tensioner tool too.

I had mine apart and was screwing around with every tool I could MacGuyver in my garage trying to get tension off the old belt (couple of hours to get nowhere). Buddy came over with the right tool and the old belt was off and new was on in less than 5 minutes.