Timing belt

Hi I'm new here I would like to know if I have to change the timing belt on my 2003Tacoma prerunner 3.4l it have 63000 only but my concern is the years not the miles should I change the timing belt? Thanks, please help me with this question.

 

Yes 60k is when Toyota recommends you replace.
Do the water pump at the same time.

 

Welcome to TW.

A number of TW members purchased the kit from eBay seller aircabinman in the link below.

Here's the deal with the water pump. I changed the belt and water pump on my 3.4L with 70,000 miles. When I got into the water pump, I found the original RTV used to make a gasket had deteriorated. The water pump had a small weeping leak from the old RTV seal.

The new water pump uses an improved gasket. See pictures in the following link.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/15-Piece-3...ure-Parts/180729034728?epid=660147462&vxp=mtr

 

Actually its 90k or 10 years From Toyota.
A long time Mechanic from local Toyota Dealership recommended to change only if its cracked (unfasten cover and visual check for cracks)
Since its a 2003, And if you are somewhat mechanically inclined it’s a great opportunity to get familiar with your truck. If you’re keeping it for a lengthy amount of time and want it to be dependable, just go ahead and do it for peace of mind/experience.

its overdue, like my 2002 4R...

 

Thanks for all yours recommendations.

 

You should change the belt. Here's pictures of a 19-year old belt and it's way past due: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/original-timing-belt-water-pump-at-185k-with-pics.599172/

 

@jdiaz517, for about $300 dollars you can get a complete kit with new belt, water pump, idler and tensioner pulleys. Parts Geek sells one made by Aisin, and the one I used on my 03 had the exact same parts as the kit. It will buy you piece of mind once it's completed. And don't forget to install your new thermostat with the dimple pointing to six o clock.

 

welcome to TW

i still have my first timing belt in a big baggie, was in decent condition @ 90k miles iirc

 

Do it. It's pretty easy with some basic hand tools. Here's a video from our own @Timmah! to help...

 

@jdiaz517 , although I did forget to mention, that I didn't do the timing belt and water pump installation myself. I was lucky and know a mechanic that did the installation for $200.00 , which was a steal in my book. Click on my avitar, and you'll see why I don't do the really difficult work on my truck.

 

My God, that is an incredible steal. This mechanic must either be a saint or not that smart for charging so little for a timing belt job. I'd say you've found a good guy as long as his work is solid. My local dealer in San Jose, California now charges $200/hour. I'm guessing the labor cost for a timing belt job from them is somewhere between $800-$1000. I can't imagine them billing less than 4 hours for this job.

 

Glad my 2002 has a chain!

 

@timmah this is the quote i got from an indie Toyota certified ex-dealer master mechanic

include WP, thermo and all belts
looks like a little over 2 hours labor charge for the timing belt
parts maybe a little high though i don't know yet until Camelback fixes their website

 

JUST my Opinion here. I would change for piece of mind. Due at 90k any way. I also suggest changing out the oil cooler coolant rubber hoses. Much easier to due at that time. I did that and belt/wp. , cleaned throttle body, new denso spark plugs and wires, and those services restored my truck to excellent running condition all at 149k

 

Great suggestions. Same here with the cooler gasket and o-ring.

 

do those often go bad at a certain mileage/age?
the oil cooler coolant rubber hoses.

 

The replacement interval for a timing belt is 9 years OR 90k miles.

So your truck should have had it done 6 years ago. Wouldn't matter if you only have 5000 miles on it.

The good thing, and what allows people to push it farther than they really should, is that these motors are non-interference motors, so if your TB does let go, no real damage happens, and you just get a tow and replace the belt.

 

It's hit and miss. The rubber dries and hardens over time and heat. Sometimes you get lucky and it doesn't matter, other times you bump it and it falls to pieces.

Rubber hoses are cheap and easy to replace. Cheap insurance.

 

It cost me nearly $300 JUST for the OEM parts, and I did the labor myself.

That's some fine metal work you got there. Glad you're still walkin and talkin.

 

Well, really he's charging $340 to do the job. A water pump replacement is pretty much always part of a timing belt job. This doesn't include replacing either idler pulley, the timing belt tensioner or replacing the camshaft seals and crankshaft seal. So, it's still a good deal but not as good as I originally thought it was.