Timing Belt & Water Pump replacement sticker shock

$900 for a timing belt change seems reasonable to me, but then again, I am coming from an Audi RS6 where timing belt changes are every 40k miles and can range between $2100 to $3500 depending on where you have the service performed (indy or stealership)

 

Sub'd for my upcoming project. Thanks for the links. Definitely helpful!

 

I would go buy all OEM parts which should be around 500 max and have them install and do the work, some dealerships will let you supply the parts if they are OEM parts.

That's what I did last month and total cost should be 800-900

 

Couple years back a local shop quoted me about 900 parts/labor for the job. $1400 from the OP is highway robbery. I went and got the ebay kit linked to earlier (like WAY earlier, lol) for $250ish and did it myself over a weekend. I'm no ex

There are several resources on this site to help you through the process. Read a bunch and take your time.

 

The fan bracket bearing cost 100.00 for an aftermarket model just by itself at rockauto

 

that's not something that's normally part of a timing belt replace, though.

 

It should be because its a bearing that goes out just like the other bearings, I have had two go bad on me, one left me broken down on the highway, it seized and snapped the belt

 

Well you can always take a chance or wait till it blows up when it seizes then and it will take out everything in its path Including the radiator or spend an extra 100.00 to be safe

 

Damn, that's pretty crappy luck! That's the first I've heard of an issue that bad, though, which is probably why it's not something most people end up doing.

If it gives you the piece of mind, by all means do it.

 

Here's a step-by-step with links to all the parts (the current eBay OEM kit, plus a few other things you need) and tools (SSTs and basic tools) that you can print out and have with you.

Step by Step Toyota Tacoma Timing Belt Replacement for 3.4L V6 5VZFE

 

This is exactly why I’m part of this community. Thank you!

 

Ordered the kit, coming in on Saturday for a Sunday install. Now, to pick up the SSTs! Very thorough writeup, thank you for taking the time to do that.

 

The only one you "need" is the crank pulley tool. You can make one yourself pretty easily, see here:

Here's a link to the thread and the one I made.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/homemade-crank-pulley-tool.140646/page-4#post-16390328

It was my experience (I tried a few iterations of my homemade tool) that the tool needed to be long enough to either rest on the frame or the ground (mine was on the ground). There was no way my weak little arms could get enough torque holding both the crank pulley tool and the torque wrench. Once I was able to get the tool holding itself on the ground, I got the torque I needed.

That said, if you do the seals (I did not), obviously the seal tools would be good, too. Mine still seemed fine so I didn't bother. Sure, there's a chance that will come back to bit me, but I like to live dangerously, lol.

Oh, another thing:

If this is your first time doing it, I'd give yourself more than just Sunday to get it done. I started disassembly on Friday evening, and was done by mid-day on Sunday. I wasn't working 100% of the time (kids, other distractions, pausing to do some more reading, fiddling with getting my crank pulley tool to work properly, etc...), but I was out there most of the day Saturday.

So if you need it to get to work on Monday, I'd wait until the next weekend, just to be safe.

 

Another good write up sir!

Pretty sure I used this when I did mine a few years ago.

 

Ok, good to know. Luckily I'm not doing it alone, & the buddy I'm doing it with has done a few timing belts before & says he'll have all the SSTs.

Man, I'm on the fence about waiting, but that makes sense. It's not like I work from home. My rig got the timing belt done around 60k, and I'm up at almost 209k now, so timeliness is my concern. But if you think another 200miles won't hurt I may wait.

 

Depending on who you have helping, it might take longer, lol. Sounds like you have someone who's experienced, that that's a bonus.

I was being super anal about everything, and taking it slow. Aside from my homemade tool not really working the first time, I didn't have any major issues, and didn't need to make trips to the store for parts or whatever.

I do remember wasting some time with the radiator. I had read that you can do it while leaving the rad in place, as long as you aren't using an impact gun on the crank bolt. That's dumb, just take the rad all the way out, you have to drain it anyway. Just get it out of the way, lol.

 

I do plan on removing the radiator, so good to know it's necessary. Glad to have resources like your writeup, I'll also be using the video @SafetyDang posted to youtube:
3.4L V6 5vz-fe Timing Belt and Water Pump Ep 4

Leveling up my at-home mechanic skills!

This will be my most challenging project so far, but these two resources break it down clearly enough to give me the confidence to tackle this. Will report back after the install.