Determining age of timing belt

I've gotten different answers on whether or not my tbelt and waterpump were replaced before I became the owner. Given the poor maintenance before I got the truck I wouldnt be shocked if it never was done. Truck has 116k on it now. Is there a date code on the tbelt? I figure I could pop off the cover and look but I figured it's worth asking first.

 

Change water pump and timing belt.

 

Thanks guys. My only concern was replacing it with only around 30k on it but I guess better safe than sorry.

 

I think if it's not been changed it says toyota on the timing belt, unless someone put a factory toyota timing belt back in it.

 

If the rest of the truck was not well maintained, the belt was definitely not changed 30k ago.

And yes... hit the water pump while you're in there.
It MIGHT last 200k, but it probably won't (if it isn't already weeping).
The factory pump on my 2nd Gen was just replaced... 108k on the truck.
It wasn't dripping, but there was a pink flower growing under the pulley.

 

Definitely change out that Timing belt. Much better safe than sorry on that item. If you have ever heard A timing belt break and then listen to the engine eat the valves,,it's not a serenade of beautiful sounds. It sounds,,very very expensive in a few thousands of a second or less. You might just bend a couple valves,,or you might bend them all. Don't roll the dice on this one.

 

You can't tell the age of the belt just by looking at it.


These belts have interior strands (I'll call them that) that you can't see from the outside. These strands are what gets stressed & break over time. You can't judge the condition of these strands just by looking at the rubber coating on the outside.

Be safe.... Change it!

 

I think the 3.4 is a non-interference engine, no? Meaning if you throw a timing belt the pistons won't strike the valves.

 

That is correct. Having the belt snap will not ruin the valves on a 3.4 engine.

However, it will still ruin your day, especially if you have somewhere to be. Maybe you'll get lucky, and it'll snap on you right outside of a hooters and you'll have good reason to hang out there for a few hours.
But if you're like me, it'll snap at 2AM in a part of town you do NOT want to be stranded in.

My vote is to replace it, and do the water pump while they're at it. Then you will KNOW when it was done, and you won't have to worry about it anymore.

 

c'mon man...

 

This^^ pull the cover if there is the slightest hint of cracking in the belt it's past due.

 

Edited post #7,,for more clarity I guess. lol.

 

is the 2.7 an interference motor?

 

2.7 is chain.

The V6 and 4.7 V8 are belt.

The 4.7 is an interference engine... not sure about the 4.0

 

Don't know about interference on the 4.0, but I'm fairly certain it has timing chains, not a belt. My wife's '04 4Runner has the 4.0.

 

If the belt was changed by a dealer, there will be a decal stuck to the timing belt cover. It will have the date and the miles it was changed at.

 

Yup... you're right.
Both the 4.0 and 2.7 are chain.
3.4 was belt.

 

Its called maintenance for a reason. Fix it before it breaks. As far as the belt it will last much longer than 110K but the tensioner will not. I changed my belt at 90K belt looked great tensioner was shot. Just do it and be done with it. After turning wrenches for almost 25 years FOR A LIVING nothing beats Preventive maintenance !!!!

 

Sure you can. Timing belts are like trees. Just cut it in half and count the rings.