01-04 timing belt question.

I have an 02 dbl cab taco v6 about to hit 90k in a little bit and was wondering how necessary it is to change the timing belt at 90k?

 

90k is recommended
your non-interference engine would not suffer if the belt broke - it'd just leave you stranded

 

so are there any factors of the belt failing around 90k? I've driven the truck like a baby since 0 miles and never taken off road. Mild road trips here and there. Im pretty tight on cash right now and don't feel like droppin a grand on the timing belt. My other car has 140,000 on it and I never changed the belt, and runs fine.

 

Change the timing belt and water pump, it is going to go sooner or later. Change them both, so you can have peace of mind.

 

So you are paying someone to do it for you? I did the first time also. But it's not really that hard. And for $1000 what do you get? Most change the water pump and thermostat at the same time, which was my case. Reason being is to change the pump at a later date the timing belt has to come off in the process of replacing water pump, so most spend the money now rather than spending labor twice.

 

DO you watch the show "Trucks" on spike TV? They did a water pump and belt last week or so, gives a good idea of what it takes to do one.

 

FACK! i really was hoping i didn't have to do this so soon

 

You don't have to do anything YET. I paid $112.99 for pump and $45.99 for belt, and I didn't replace thermostat . Just get the parts now while the truck is running and pay a friend to help out if you don't feel comfortable doing it yourself, only problem is a core charge for the water pump. (you will get that back) and buy a new pump, not a remanufactured one. You will loose some coolant in the process so factor that in, it is fairly easy and can be done in 2 or 3 hours with common hand tools. Only thing special is the tensioner retaining pin that has to be compressed, and I used a small alen wrench for that, keep the questions comming and also look up Member Janster, she did a good wright up on how to change one yourself.

 

well that makes me feel alot better, I've done all the work on my truck I just thought that the timing belt was something left to the professionals. I guess i'll be giving it a go in another 10k after i read up more on the process.

 

If your other car has 140k and a belt, I would do that one first. You will last another 10k + with the truck I bet. I went to 120k with mine (2003) and then did it myself. the belts have marks on them so you just match up the cams and crank shaft to the marks on the belt (be carefull with the crank gear, I remember it having a mark that I thought was the right one at first but it was the other one that was correct. if you don't move anything after you take the old belt off you will see which mark is correct.) , let the tension idler go and put it back together again from there. I removed the tension assembly and preloaded it in a vise, you put a pin in it to hold it back. after the belt is on, you pull the pin and it puts the tension on. It is a pain to get it off off if you have a/c.
I pulled the ignition fuse, put a breaker bar and socket on the crank, up against the frame then touched the key on a couple times to break the crank bolt loose on the harmonic balancer. It's really, really tight. Several impact guns I tried would not do it. My waterpump was weeping also so I did it at the same time. You can do it! give yourself about eight hours if you have no lift or pneumatics. Good luck!

 

thanks for the info guys, I may do it myself with a buddies help, but if i were to take it to a shop and already had all the parts necessary for the installation, what would you guys estimate the labor cost to be?

 

They always run fine until they don't lol. good luck!

 

I got quoted $850 total from a dealer, it's why I did it myself.

 

Don't turn the motor once belt is off and count the teeth on the belt as compared to the new belt. My friend who is a mechanic actually laid the new belt on old belt to compare the factory painted marks and count teeth .. He has, in the past, found the wrong belt in a box marked for a specific job he was doing. And Leggo is correct, compress tensioner in vise, insert pin, and once installed, pull pin , bingo. Labor is based on a book. If a shop says it's 5 hours and they do it in 2 then they made out. You pay the book rate. Now a friend that can turn wrenches will charge you a friends rate. I bought parts, he did labor, I gave him 125.00 so I was out for around 400.00. Dealer wanted over six to do the belt without a water pump replacement.

 

My last Tacoma had 182k miles on the original belt and it looked pretty good when I got it replaced. The belt is like 2 inches wide, so its not like its a fan belt and deteriorates quickly. There have been several people on this forum that have gone 120k+ on the original belt with no problems. It most cases, the water pump leaks a little before a timing belt failure. Like most have said, definitely do the waterpump and thermostat at the same time as the belt. Some go as far as doing pulleys as well, but its not necessary at 90k. Dont feel pressured to get it done right at 90k. If you're a little tight on money right now, I wouldnt even worry about it for at least another 10-20k miles.

 

Yes this guy is correct. I did buy into the OH MY GOD my belt had 59999 miles on it my truck will explode in a mile mentality. (60k WAS THE NORM FROM TOYOTA I THINK, OR THAT WAS MY THINKING) Now it's 90K on first gens. Just remember that is not a magic number. I changed mine at 60 and at 95K (second time was because my "rebuilt" water pump took a crap on me, and both times it was nice and looked good. SO just save the coin, and when you can, do it. Good luck man

 

Thanks guys for the info!!! this has taken some weight off my shoulders!

 

i have a 04 tacoma and my water pump is leaking and i'm just gonna replace timing belt,water pump,and everything else. Were would be the cheapest place to get the kit and what is a good brand?

 

yep... they can go much further, USUALLY. and if they don't, well you might just end up spending a whole heck of a lot more for pushing your luck. as for me, i love taking road trips far away, and i'm not going to risk getting stranded anymore than necessary, so i change mine on time.

 

i know i'll get ripped on this one! i have 267k on my belt. good news is i have a new one in the garage waiting. new pump and thermo also. need one of you young guns come and help me. 125.00 for labor would be awesome and i'll buy the beer too!