How Often Should You Change Your Timing Belt?

So I was bored like a lot of people are nowadays and was reading my schedule maintenance guide into detail. Saw that it recommends timing belt service every 90k miles. Reading further I read that recommendation is only for Avalon, Camry, solar and sienna. With that being said. I know my Tacoma has a timing belt. How often should this be serviced and what are the signs of one going bad. I'm guessing misfires and rough idling/running engine. Thanks.

 

Should be done every 90k - 100k miles. If it goes bad you'll know it because the truck won't run, luckily these are non-interference engines so it won't do any real harm if it fails but it will leave you stranded.

There's no real way of knowing if it's starting to 'go bad' or not, the timing belt either works or it breaks and then you're stuck. You can pull back the timing cover and take a peek at the belt to see if it's starting to look in bad shape or not. But the best thing to do is to just stick to the recommended replacement interval.

Some people go a lot longer than 100k and have no issues but others aren't so lucky. If you have the time/means to do it or get it done, then I would

 

Thank you. While doing the timing belt. Is there anything else you would replace while I'm at it?

 

Water pump since it comes off as part of the job, most timing belt kits that are sold for our trucks will include a new water pump

 

thank you, sir. Looking up kits as we speak.

 

It's pretty common to replace cam seals as well. Depending on the mileage, it might be good to look at replacing the fan clutch bracket.

Many of us have used the kits from aircabinman on ebay that uses OEM parts. Can be found here...

https://www.ebay.com/itm/15-Piece-3...Lv5PairwiseWeb&_trksid=p2332490.c100935.m2460

 

Be wary of kits on Amazon and especially ebay that claim to be genuine Toyota parts even if the pics look legit, there's a lot of fake stuff on there. If the price is too good to be true then it probably is

 

look at AISIN kits they are the best ones yes you can buy a cheaper one but its not worth it . also get a new T/stat mounts inside of the water pump.

 

are you certain that the water pump has to come off
meaning gasket cleaning etc. to put it back on

 

Does it have to come off? No. Should it come off? Yes.

 

he just said it comes off as part of job is all i read, meaning it has to come off?
just making certain,
plus it takes an hour to clean that WP gasket off real good?

 

Takes 10 minutes if you have the right tools and knowledge. I used a gasket scraper on the whole surface, a die grinder roloc disc on what was accessible and a scotch brite pad on what I couldn't get to with the die grinder.

 

Even if it does take an hour, it is worth knowing that you won't have to spend all the time to remove everything a second time to replace the water pump after it eventually fails. One of those "while everything is already apart" things that are worth it.

 

i am just going by a quote i got from an indie Toyota master mechanic to do this, $300 for timing belt job (most parts included) but he can also replace the water pump no additional except for an extra hour cleaning gasket + new part cost at list price
i was questioning him on the hour charge for a pump coz i have no clue whatsoever
and then i read it has to come off to do the job in the first place (confused)

 

If it is still the original water pump, then the gasket is a steel and rubber one that takes all of 5 minutes to change. many of the replacement water pumps also come with the same steel/rubber gasket. 90% of a water pump job on a 3.4 toyota is the timing belt part it does make total sense to change it all when you're all ready that far into the job. that goes for the drive belts too ( a/c, alt, p/s ) do it once do it right. and be done with it .

 

the water pump i got from camelback had that steel and rubber gasket in the box, wholesale price save maybe $40 over list

5 minutes!, this indie shop prides itself in their mission statement on saving toyota & lexus people major money over dealer markUps

 

Yes, 5 minutes is what it should take a reputable shop to clean/replace the water pump gasket. Are they charging 1 hour for the complete water pump replacement? If so, that doesn't seem too bad.

 

its confusion on my end, thought it had to come off with timing belt job in the first place!

 

You've gotten a pretty good list from folks about when and with what parts. There are a few more things you need to pick up in addition to the aircabinman kit on eBay... plus, a few special tools help a lot.

Here's the write-up I did on the job, and links to all the tools I bought (and where I bought them). Was a great investment from my POV since I've used them a few times, and it's nice to have them around when buddies need them. I've included links below as well for your convenience.
full write up: Step by Step Toyota Tacoma Timing Belt Replacement for 3.4L V6 5VZFE

1. OTC 6673 Universal Belt Tension Gauge
2. Lisle 58430 Shaft Type Seal Puller
3. Schley Products SP 64400 Harmonic Damper Pulley Holding Tool
4. OTC 4518 Stinger 5-ton Bar-Type Puller/Bearing Separator Set
   1. (2) M8 Metric Bolts with a 1.25 Pitch, 100mm long with 4 washers - these are the bolts we used in conjunction with the OTC 4518 puller or other puller you have to remove the crankshaft pulley.
5. PRIVATE BRAND TOOLS PBT70960 Crankshaft and Camshaft Seal Tool Kit
6. Lisle 24680 Spill-Free Funnel
7. Performance Tool W89208 Cam Pulley Holder
8. TEKTON 24320 1/4-Inch Drive Click Torque Wrench (20-200 in.-lb./2.26-22.6 Nm)

​

Of course, these tools were in addition to a standard set of tools that you'd need for this job - short and deep sockets, extensions, larger torque wrenches, oil, grease, etc. Here was a list of the additional tools we used:

1. 10mm, 12mm, 14mm, 17mm, and 19mm sockets - both short and deep. This is a great set, but not cheap.
2. 10mm, 12mm, and 14mm wrenches. This is a good set.
3. 3-, 6-, ad 9-inch socket extensions
4. 10-inch socket wobble extension
5. A set of socket adapters (from 1/4"-to-3/8", and from 1/2"-to-3/8")
6. 90º needle nose pliers (for hose clamps)
7. Two, 2-foot breaker bars
8. A set of picks
9. Shop towels
10. Torque wrench capable of 250 ft-lbs
11. A box of ziplock bags to hold bolts that have been removed.
12. A pad of post-it notes to label said bags.
13. 5 gallon container to catch coolant (bucket with trash bag liner)
14. 5 qt container to catch transmission fluid

 

I just did this entire job on my 2004 5VZ-FE. Watch the videos, read the step by step instructions and order all your parts and tools before you start the job. The post above from turbodb is awesome!

Another one to check out is Timmy The Toolman on Youtube, he's awesome too! He has excellent videos and he even includes all the required tools and parts you need along with links of where to buy them. He even includes torque specs.

If you are doing a timing belt job I highly recommend spending the extra time and money and replacing as much as you can all at once. You are already in there with the front end of your motor taken apart so save yourself the hassle of doing it all over again when a water pump, thermostat or a gasket fails.

Buy the kit off ebay from Air Cabin Man, it's a good deal and includes almost everything!!
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Toyota-3-4L-V6-Complete-Timing-Belt-Water-Pump-Kit/190521450224?vxp=mtr

*You will also need to buy a new Crank Pulley Bolt #90119-16006

Check out your fan pulley bracket as well and determine if the bearing is good, if your are unsure do yourself a favor and just replace it. I ordered the part and replaced it anyways just for added piece of mind.
*These pulleys do not have removable bearings, so the whole bracket needs to be replaced when the bearing goes bad. These are new, made by Aisin (OE to Toyota). Buy at Lowrange Offroad, the quality is top notch.
http://www.lowrangeoffroad.com/toyo...et-with-3-4l-5vzfe-v6-engine-tac-er-cfpb.html

If you want to replace your radiator hoses, now is a good time for that as well.
*Inspect your Radiator for damage or any leakage
Part No.: 16571-07030HOSE, RADIATOR, NO.1
Part No.: 16572-07040HOSE, RADIATOR, NO.2
Part No.: 90467-37005CLIP (4)

*Buy or rent the tools that are recommended for this job. They are recommended for a really good reason! It makes everything go a whole lot smoother and requires less time and headache on your end. Without some of the special tools the job is almost impossible. Having a heat torch available will also help with any bolts that don't want to break free easily. Apply some heat to prevent breaking a bolt off in your engine. Most of the tools are pretty common which you may already own if you work on vehicles often.
Some tools though the average Joe might not just have laying around, so find a way to get them before you start the job.
Watch Tim's videos and see how much they help with the job!
-Schley Products SP 64400 Harmonic Damper Pulley Holding Tool
-Camshaft Pulley Holder
-Bar-Type Puller/Bearing Separator Set
-Crankshaft and Camshaft Seal Tool Kit
-(2) M8 Metric Bolts with a 1.25 Pitch, 100mm long with 4 washers. (Used o help remove the crankshaft pulley)
-Torque Wrench
-Lisle 58430 Shaft Type Seal Puller
-Binder Clips (sounds silly BUT they help more than you would expect, buy them!)
**PLUS any other tools you don't have that are recommended**


Toyota Timing Belt Replacement (PART 1) for 3.4L V6 5VZ-FE (4runner, Tacoma, Tundra & T100)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHC46ypHxWc&list=WL&index=8&t=0s


Toyota Timing Belt Replacement (PART 2) for 3.4L V6 5VZ-FE (4runner, Tacoma, Tundra & T100)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mErd7xoBS9I&list=WL&index=6