Newbie Question- How does my timing belt look? Pics

Here is the story. I just bought a 2001 V6 3.4L 4x4 Dbl cab with 240k miles. I was ready to replace the timing belt, but I saw a gates timing sticker. It is blank, but the OEM spot is filled in at 94k in 2006. So I decided to pull the cover and take a look.

The idler pulley looks great, but the belt and Cam pulleys are extremely dusty/dirty. No oil leak though, thank goodness. I know the previous owner lived on a dirt road.

My question is, should I still have the belt and water pump replaced? Why put the Gates sticker on and not fill it out? Surely they did not fill out the OEM sticker instead of the Gates. Here are some pics. I wiped my finger across the inside cam pulleys and over the belt on the driver side cam pulley, to show the difference of dirt Vs. clean as you can see in pic 5.

Thanks Guys!

 

I believe the t-belt along with the water pump should be replace every 105k miles (though Ive seen the water pump seep way before its time to replace). hell, I didn't replace mine until 220k miles and it still look good beside the water pump seep lol.

 

Thanks man. Yeah my mechanic said about every 100k as well. I am trying to figure out if the timing belt is pretty new or do I need to have it replaced.

 

since we don't know when the last mileage was recorded (unknown mileage on gates sticker), it wont hurt to replace it since you'll know for sure that it was done and the mileage is noted. also you have 240k so the belt should of been replace twice already. Maybe the gate sticker was the second time around.

 

Yeah, the belt looks great to me, so I am guessing it was the 3rd belt for this truck. I am just trying to decide if it has to be done right now or if I can wait a year or so.

 

from personal experience, I've never seen any signs of wear on the belt. its either the water pump seep and replace all at once since your already in there or wait til the mileage comes up. If your asking yourself these questions, then like I said it wont hurt to replace it if it makes you sleep better.

 

Cheap insurance your going to replace the water pump go on and replace the belt cam seals
Peace of mind even though they do look good if you do it now you got assurance that you don't have to worry about that

 

I've replace my belt 3 time at 260k. long story.....

 

Do tell

 

lol, first time was at 220k, second time was at 250k due to crack in passenger head. motor decided to drink coolant and found metal shaving. the alignment marks are still on the belt that I did at 250k lol. now in the process of swapping a jdm motor making this the third time. original motor has 266k. so 2 times for original motor and instead of reusing that belt I bought another set to replace the one the jdm motor.

 

90K is the interval that Toyota recommends.

Are you sure that Gates sticker wasn't filled out and the pen ink hasn't just faded? In the pic, it looks that way.

A new truck will not have an OEM sticker on it. When Toyota does the 90K service they will put the OEM sticker on it. At least that is the way mine is.

If I were to guess, I'd say yours has been changed twice, at 90K and again at 180K notsure, 270K might be the next time.

As mentioned, it is typically the water pump that is most critical, not the belt. At 90K my water pump was starting to seep. A dried pink stain (or the color of your anti-freeze) below the pump in an indicator its time to change it.

 

Thanks for the info. So they do not come with the OEM sticker when they are new and probably only put on when they have the belt replaced. I did not know that.

I have looked around the water pump (at least what is visible) and see a bit of coolant sprayed on it from the radiator leak that was present a while back. No puddle or drip spots though. I think I may add some dye and check the water pump for leaks again tomorrow night. If it needs replacing, then I guess it all comes out, but I am hoping to delay that for a while

 

not from the top but from the bottom. the fan bracket needs to come off unless you can see the bottom of the water pump.

 

Starting to think I should just replace it all.

 

I think I would if it was me. Peace of mind if nothing else.

 

I just bought a 1st gen with 112,000 miles and had no clue if the belt had been replaced (previous owner had a bad stroke and was moved to a home so the family knew nothing of the trucks service history). Went ahead and had it changed and I'm glad I did. Didn't cost much and makes me feel a lot better about not having to worry about it in the back of my mind. Better safe than sorry and if nothing else, peace of mind.