Time to replace a timing belt

Hi I have a 2000 Tacoma with over 135,800 miles on it and it has never had the timing belt replaced before. From what I've read it sounds like I am well beyond recommended time on replacing it. Being a novice, I wondered how difficult it is to change the timing belt. I've also at times recently had a squeaking sound right when the truck starts for only a second and then it goes away, and it only does it sometimes when it starts, not every time. I'm thinking it is one of the other belts that's doing it, should those be replaced as well? And is there anything else that would be good to replace at this time. Also what cost am I looking at if I were to do it myself vs a local shop or the dealer. Thanks in advance!

 

Check out this thread, I think it'll have alot of the info you're looking for.
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/1st-gen-tacomas/6342-routine-maintenance-timing-belt.html

 

Not a timing belt but close too it and might help ya....

http://www.lieblweb.com/tacoma/Mechanical/WaterPump/WaterPump.htm

 

I am under the mind set that changing the timing belt at the Toyota recommended 90,000 is too early. I had a 97 Tacoma and as I remember after reading the manual, that if the belt breaks it doesn't harm the vehicle, it just won't go anywhere. I really used the truck, I mean really used it like it was a full size truck. I had my rear springs re-arched and leafs added to increase the tow and haul capacity. I hauled substantial weight, towed heavier trailers, just all around "over did" its intended use. I may have been lucky and replaced it before it finally broke. I replaced it at 166,000. So, unless you really pushed the envelope I think the 200,000 mark is easily obtainable for the average Tacoma driver.

 

It is specified in the manual that the timing belt change for the V6 is 90K. Why take a chance of having it snap at the most inconvenient time? How did you come to this "mind set" as you call it? Is it written somewhere by someone? Toyota engineers specified that time interval for a reason. If you're not changing it at that time you're just living on borrowed time.

 

You might think it won't hurt anything.... But what happens to that belt when it goes slinging around in there after it snaps?
It could wedge itself into something else, have enough force to crack the thermostat housing, who knows......

I wouldn't wanna see it happen.

 

Janster is right.
In fact, (Without being a statistician!) 80% of the time it blows the water pump seal out with the scraps of rubber rapping around the pulley. And thats not just Toyota specific.

With that being said. I had 179,000 miles on my '97 V6, before I traded it, still on the original belt.

 

Okay, thank you all, so I guess I should prepare to go ahead and do that. Should the other belts be replaced while I am at it? And also how hard is it to tackle this on my own? is it something i would be better off letting the dealer or local shop do? And also what price range am I looking at?

 

Hi,
I replaced the water pump on my old '97 and it took me about 15 hours if I remember correctly. Most of that was due to seized studs holding on the A/C compressor bracket. The timing belt is just a bit deeper than that. My son has that truck now and we are going to do the timing belt one of these days.

 

just thought i'd chime in...

i did some digging on the subject when it came time for my change, most people suggest changing out your water pump at the same time, cuz you're already that deep.

and yes, it'd be a good time to change your accessory belts with the timing belt.

 

Changing yourself is very good for getting to know your truck better and YES I would change belts, water pump while beeing there. How bout changing that idler bearing on A/C also (5$ to 10$ @ a bearing shop if you bring it) tends to make noise since It spins lot faster then anything else and is closer to ground water from rain ect.
Make shure you spot all markings on crankshaft and cams before you take off the timming belt, use a bit of paint on a small brush to make it more obvious.
REcheck your markings after you bind it to make shure it's not off.
Buy a shop manual to help you and read procedure before doing actual job, refer to it while doing and take your time, there is no rushing this kind of job. Youll be happy afterwards. Good luck

 

I already explained how I came up with my opinion, did you read it? The vehicle can obviously endure many more miles before the belt really needs to be replaced and no one has come up with a good reason not to. One post suggest that when it snaps it tears up the water pump and other stuff that you would replace if going into the engine that far anyway.

You claim Toyota engineers came up with the specification to change the timing belt. Did you ever think that Toyota did it for financial reasons, changing timing belts is a lot of loot for the dealers.

Is breaking down ever convenient? You could break down at anytime for many different reasons, big deal, everyone has cell phones call a friend or a wrecker do what you do when that happens, deal with it.

Borrowed time, we are already on that aren't we?

 

By the way, my old '97 has over 320,000 on it's timing belt.

 

I have to agree with scout. I was very disturbed when I got over 120,000 miles with the original belt. I just never took the time to change it. BUT.... when I finally did change it, the belt looked almost brand new. no lie. I use my truck for everyday commute and extensively in hunting season: flying down firelanes as if i'm in the baja 500 (chasing dogs), slinglin mud everywhere in ruts and bogs, and revving the engine to the sky when i'm really getting down on it. It is my hunting truck and if the engine goes, i'll just slap a new one in it. I don't treat my truck bad, I just use it like a tacoma is supposed to be ran.... the harder I drive my truck, the better it gets.... yeah, I'm gonna have to do maintenance on it every now and then, but what vehicle don't you do that to. All scout did was voice his opinion. I just didn't want everyone jumping the gun on him and criticizing him.

 

Nice to see someone else with the same philosophy about the truck. My truck gets cranky if I don't let it out to "play" once in a while.

 

i like your avatar!!!!!

 

@scout - I love your philosophy on life!

 

Even 10 years Later?

 

Good philosophy lasts a lifetime

 

I just changed my timing belt on my 1998 tacoma xtracab 3.4L 4x4. It has 153,000km. My mechanic said it was a perfect time to change it out since it is cracked basically every half inch all the way around. One cold morning start might have broken it. See attached pictures. Other work done at the same time was: timing belt tensioner, water pump, thermostat, alternator belt, A/C belt. Total cost was 1,000$CAD.