3rd Gen. Tacoma Serpentine Belt Replacement

Thanks for the great instructions OP! Made my job of replacing my belt sooooo much easier. The thing that gripes me is that my Tacoma only has 27,5000 miles and this annoying kazoo sound develops. I've owned a 1987 Toyota 4x4 which I had for 15 years....no such problem. And my previous 2002 Tacoma for 17 years.....no such problem. Now my 2019 needs a new serpentine belt at 27,500 miles! What's up with Toyota's quality parts? First the fuel pump breaks at 18,000 miles, (luckily covered under warranty) recall on back bed light seal/gasket, (covered under warranty) then the belt starts squealing like a banshee. Both Toyota dealerships in my neighborhood wouldn't cover under warranty because they said it was a wear part....like tires and brakes, and wanted around $170 to replace. Bought a new belt ($38) and installed myself thanks to your posting instructions. Took about 30 minutes, start to finish. Thanks again, you saved me about $130! Love my Tacoma 3rd Gen, but at this rate I might have to buy the extended warranty just to be safe!

 

Probably not covered, 2 Toyota dealerships near me claimed it was a "wear" part like tires and brakes. And my truck only has 27,500 miles! (2 and 1/2 years old)

 

thanks for the help..it stopped the squealing noise coming from my engine. thought it was one of my pulley but did the water test and knew it was the belt. replaced with the continental belt at 42,500 miles. thanks for the help!

 

Got a sqeal on cold starts lasts a minute max. Upon visual, idler no. 2 is wobbling.
In the TSB linked in this thread it says to “follow procedure” but there’s no procedure mentioned other than just changing the belt? And then is states not to replace the idler? Should I just get a new belt and idler/ idler bearing and do it all or just do the belt as per the tsb? 2018 w 101k kms.

 

Just had to swap mine out at 50,000 miles on my early 2017 model. Everything in the instructions is pretty much the same thanks to OP. The only difference was mine didn't have the 5 mm Allen key so I ended up having to use a 17 mm wrench to hold the pulley loose. No more squeaky for me.

 

I have always thought of serpentine belts as a PITA. To the extent I don't have a spare. I will be putting a spare in my box soon though thanks to this thread.

 

Thanks for the write up! Was searching for something to go by as I have a chirp now at 90k on my '19. This should make it easy.

 

I think I've got a belt going bad too. An idler pulley going bad would make noise all the time right? It currently chirps when it is warmer out. No chirping in the morning when it's 60°, but in the afternoon when it's 85° it does.

 

I would guess there is no guarantee it is not a pulley, but if a pulley is out you should replace the belt anyway. So replace the belt and see it it fixes it.

But, yes that sounds more like a belt than a pulley to me as well.

 

That's the plan, replacing the belt this weekend, then inspect the pulleys. Hopefully it's just the belt.

 

I replace mine today. I don't think I was using a long enough Allen wrench because I couldn't get the tensioner to stay in the slack position. It was a wrestling match with several escapes and reversals but Gotter Done!

 

I got the belt halfway around the fan, and couldn’t get the second half around. Also didn’t have too much time to work on it tonight so I’ll give it a go when I’ve got more time and more importantly, energy

 

Awesome! just what I needed, you made my day 06ltd!!!!

 

Just replace mine at 52k miles with the new Toyota P/N from the local dealership, they had one left.
Took me 5 mins. No more chirp now.

 

Perfect write up, thanks OP. I only had one problem, there wasn’t enough time to open a beer.

 

Always make time for the important things!

 

For the record -
147k on a '17 and starting to get some belt noise. Ordered a Gates from Amazon for $32.
These belts should last a long time....

 

Just changed mine out at 45K thanks to the OP. Think I have it seated correctly. If the seating on a grooved pulley is whisker off, will it quickly seat itself or will it make a mess? Sort of afraid to start the truck.

Edit: seems to be running ok. Replaced with Michelin belt. Will listen for chirps this week.

 

Just replaced mine for the second time. Much easier. Great write up

 

Thanks for the great easy to follow write up. I’m only about to hit 26k miles but I know the day will come with age or mileage eventually.