Is it time to replace my timing Belt? Taco V6 '01

I've found this forum to be super helpful in the past, I've learned a ton just by reading. I appreciate your thoughts on when you think it's time for me to change out my timing belt.

I have an '01 V6 Tacoma with 208k miles. It runs perfect, but every time I crack the hood I see the sticker that the belt was last replaced at 90k. I am now sitting almost 120k since last replaced. Is this something I need to get out in front of and replace before it goes, and ruins my entire engine? Or should I continue to wait and look for specific signs and then replace when needed?

 

Dear Mr. Shred,

The Toyota 3.4 Liter V6 is a non-interference engine, which means if something happens to the timing belt, the movement of the pistons will not destroy the valves or the head. Since the timing belt has not been changed in your Tacoma for the past 120,000 miles, go ahead and change it. A good interval to change the timing belt on these 3.4 V6 engines is every 90,000 miles. While you are changing the timing belt, change your water pump and thermostat at the same time.

Good Luck,
Paul

 

There are no 'signs'. There is only broken or not.

If it breaks, be assured it will be when you will be most inconvienenced to have a non running truck. Cold, rainy, pitch dark, no cell service

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/whats-the-longest-youve-gone-on-a-timing-belt.483110/

 

my 04 3.4 v6 has 141k miles and it was never changed, but I was absolutely planning to do it when it hit 150k miles.

90k is the factory recommendation so most just say 100k is a good interval to replace it but if you wanted to test its full life I think you might be ok to push it to 200k but I personally wouldn't risk being stuck on side of road to try it.


also, I just purchased a 2006 4runner with a 4.7 v8 that needs the same regular timing belt replacement every 90k miles just as our 3.4 engines do, it has never had its timing belt replaced and it has 155k miles on it. im bringing it in to the dealership Monday to have the timing belt replaced.

in my honest opinion your fine to do it every 150k miles but I wouldn't go beyond that. I think the factory looks at how long they actually last and at half of that life is when they put the maint replacement interval at.

so since they said change it at 90k, im thinking its really good to last an average of 200k. that said you don't want to wait until it breaks to replace it so 150 is a great compromise of getting full life but not pushing it too far.

 

There is a 3.4 prerunner that is regularly serviced at my work with over 640k on it. Owner told me he has only done the timing belt once. So you might get lucky, you might not.

 

I did my timing belt at around 135k. like others said, there isn't really much of a sign, the belt just goes. I've heard you can see a decrease in gas mileage or it might be hard to start, but if it gets to that point, you're basically minutes from it failing completely anyway. When I took mine out it was mildly cracked, but likely still had plenty of life left in it (it was the original).

I asked my local shop about doing it and the guy quoted me something like $800. All the (genuine oem) parts I got off ebay were $250. That plus a few items to make the tool for the crank pulley, and the pix pack of beer I rewarded myself when I finished is all it cost me (my time is worthless, so I don't consider a salary cost, lol).

At your mileage, I would say "it's time" to do it again. But, since it's a non interference engine, you could do like some guys do and just keep driving it until it goes, tow it home and do the work then. BUT... If you take the rig on longer trips, travel, camping, etc... though, I would do it now, *before* it fails. Getting a flat in the middle of the desert sucks bad enough, let alone blowing a timing belt...

 

Thanks for the replies, super helpful. I'm gonna take care of it soon, and do the thermostat and water pump while I have access to the location. Thankful it didn't go out on the recent cross country trip (Pa to Or) I did while pulling a trailer. I'm not gonna push my luck on this one.

Thanks for the input!

 

I have only done my timing belt once and that was with 206,000 miles and the belt was still in good condition. The water pump was shot though, so it was a good thing I decided to check it out.

 

My 04 has about 130,000 miles on the original belt so I will be looking at finding a good dealership to do the work. The truck has never been messed with by any shop or dealership so I am a bit weary of letting someone tear into the motor when it is running fine. I have been hearing a slight chearping sound though that I believe is the water pump so I will get prices on having that replaced as well. Gotta make a trip down to Florida soon so I want to get it done before that. I will try to get a pic of the old belt and post it here so everyone can see it. More to come later. Love the site by the way.

 

Shop around guys and girls. I just got off the phone with three different dealerships in my area. Got an estimate for timing belt replacement, water pump and t-stat, and serpentine belt and here is the verdict:

First dealership was $1,100
Second dealership was $899 (he did say that he would beat any other dealers price so I will call him back)
Third dealership was $740

I called a fourth but was sent to a voicemail.

 

With all OEM parts included, for a 3.4L?

 

Yep, sitting at the dealership now. The second dealership matched the price of the cheaper price and gave me a 2017 four wheel drive Tacoma to drive until mine is fixed

 

They gave you one? Wtf!

 

Yes Sir! Free rental they called it. I told them that they just wanted to get me in that new truck to make me want a brand new one lol

 

That's actually probably true lol. At least partly. But yeah, some dealerships are cool about rentals if you're paying big $$$ for a job. Others it's like pulling teeth to get a rental covered even for a day.

 

Yes the guy I dealt with was pretty cool. I didn't ask for a loaner/rental he told me that up front when he quoted me the $899. That is when he told me he would match or beat any dealer around. He definitely got my business when I called him back with the lower price and he matched it. When I pulled into the maintenance bay, he said, "You must be the fellow that called about the timing chain, nice truck, I have one just like it."