Concerns about the Timeing Belt

I have a 2000 PreRunner (V6) purchased in March 2000. Although the truck has been in service 10 years 7 months, the mileage is only 22,000 miles (not a mistake).

My concern is the future reliablity of this aging Timeing belt. I was told it's a rubber belt and not a Timeing chain. Although there's very little use on te engine, there is the aging process of the rubber belt.

Change it or not....??? Any idea from you "experienced" wrenches out there......???

 

That's pretty awesome to have such low mileage for that year.

I wouldn't worry about the belt too much, although I think I might change it a little earlier than what is recommended for extra piece of mind. Maybe around 75-80K.

 

rec'd is every 5 yrs. Just rule of thumb. rubber rots and decays mostly from age. Not really from use.

 

I would definitely have it inspected.

It would make a difference if the truck has been garaged its entire life or stayed outside. Outside would obviously be harder on it.

If you do decide to change it, you might as well do the water pump at the same time.

 

I'm puzzeled here. Why the water pump with such low mileage....??? Is the water pump designed with plastic parts as well....???

I'm not trying to be cynical, I just don't know....!!!

 

No worries, the motor is fine if the belt breaks, you wont hurt a thing,(you're just stranded) the reason to change the water pump at that time is because if you are paying someone to do it for you, getting the belt off to change the pump is the first step, once belt is off it's 10 minutes and pump is off, trust me i've done it twice. The pump is around $120.00 and the belt is $45 or $50, so if you spend the labor to do the belt might as well do the pump as well. Good luck

 

When it comes to timing belts better safe than sorry. At least it's not an interference motor. As stated before, if it breaks you're just stranded. So, if you're worried about it then just change it out. What's the worst that could happen, peace of mind?

 

SO.....you guys are saying that the 2000 Taco V6 is not like other engines.

In that if the timing belt should break, there's no chance of the pistons crashing into the valves and the engine would self-distruct....???

 

Correct. No Engine damage should the belt break.

 

OK....just for my peace of mind.

We all know that I'm refering to the timing belt incased behind a cover on te lower front of the engine, and not the serpentine beld on te outside of the engine....right.....????

 

I ran a googgle on the Interference Engine, and I now see the difference in some old engine designs and the taco V6.

Is there a name for the engine design of the 2000 Taco V6....??

 

Thanks to your information I now know that there are "Free Running Engines", and "Interferrence Engines".

And you're saying the Taco engine is "Free Running".

I think I now have a grasp on the situation....thanks.....!!!!

 

Hello Nelson,

Let me say that I really appreciate your time and info.

I googled the Gates Timing belt site and found that both my 2000 Taco V6 & my 2000 Avalon V6 have an interferrence engine. At least, that is what Gates is saying.

http://www.gates.com/downloads/download_common.cfm?file=428-1466_web.pdf&folder=brochure

Thanks to all. I will call my Toyota Dealer in the morning. As mentioned best to be safe....!!!

 

I just did mine, and there was a sticker on the cover that it was done at 54,000 ish.I have 141,000 on it now..The old one looked just fine, but Its better to be safe then sorry.

 

From what I've read on this site, the 3.4 is not an interference engine.

Here's a link I found on another toyota site.

http://www.yotatech.com/f2/3-4-interference-motor-10826/

But as you do agree, better safe than sorry.

Let us know what the dealer says too.

 

Don't forget about the T-stat as well

 

OK....I called my dealer today about the Taco PreRunner V6 (free Running or Interference engine).

She seemed to know what I was talking about right away, and mentioned that Toyota was know suggesting 60,000 rather than 90,000 (as apposeded to previous years) but wasn't positive about the Interference issue. She said she would call me back.

She called back within a half hour. My 2000 PreRunner V6 has a Free Running engine and not an Interference engine as suggested by the Gates site. On the other hand, my 2000 Avalon XLS 3.4 V6 has an Interference engine.

Thanks for your time and info. It gave me direction.

 

Google is your friend The name of the 1995.5-2004 Tacoma V6 engine's is called a 5VZ-FE. Its a bullet proof motor. And it IS non-interferience.

 

Thanks to everyone for the guidance.....!!!

Any idea what the technical number would be for the 2000 Avalon XLS V6 engine......????

 

You have time; I took my 03 to the dealer for the something only had 38,000 they started laughing told I don’t do it, too early its mileage not time. They told me when I do it, replace the following parts: they have to be removed anyway.
1. All the belts
2. Water pump
3. Timing belt
4. Hoses
5. Thermostat & Fluid (extra step but might as well)