Schattenjager
Expedition Leader
I am in Kensucky visiting family. A few nights ago we got a HUGE rain that lasted all night. The next morning I went for a coffee run and the belt started squealing big time. Not being one for 'mechanics in a bottle' (belt dressing) and not having a full compliment of tools onboard, I went to the local dealer for a replacement at 75K miles.
After a two hour wait at the not-so-busy yet huge dealer, the service writer told me that the new belt broke upon start up and they had to put on the old belt due to no more in stock. I was asked to return the next day, which I did.
That job took about 50 minutes and shortly after leaving the stealership I smelt oil - hot oil - and lots of it. I know what your thinking and I suspected a hose going to the oil cooler as well. BUT as it turns out, the broken belt 'walked off' (dealer speak) *BACKWARDS* and was caught behind the harmonic balancer and effectively 'walked' the front main cover loose creating the Valdez II. Upon return to the dealership and pointing to the culprit, they quickly scheduled my truck in for repairs, gratis.
It seems that this has happened before. I mention this now because our trucks are getting older and many may be in need of this repair. The service tech (Toyota Master) told me that despite the simplicity of the job, a Tacoma owner would be foolish to shoulder this task and run the same risk without the protection of a toyota dealer to stand behind it.
Just an FYI. Carry on.
I am going to cut and paste this into the 05 and newer thread about Tacoma issues.
After a two hour wait at the not-so-busy yet huge dealer, the service writer told me that the new belt broke upon start up and they had to put on the old belt due to no more in stock. I was asked to return the next day, which I did.
That job took about 50 minutes and shortly after leaving the stealership I smelt oil - hot oil - and lots of it. I know what your thinking and I suspected a hose going to the oil cooler as well. BUT as it turns out, the broken belt 'walked off' (dealer speak) *BACKWARDS* and was caught behind the harmonic balancer and effectively 'walked' the front main cover loose creating the Valdez II. Upon return to the dealership and pointing to the culprit, they quickly scheduled my truck in for repairs, gratis.
It seems that this has happened before. I mention this now because our trucks are getting older and many may be in need of this repair. The service tech (Toyota Master) told me that despite the simplicity of the job, a Tacoma owner would be foolish to shoulder this task and run the same risk without the protection of a toyota dealer to stand behind it.
Just an FYI. Carry on.
I am going to cut and paste this into the 05 and newer thread about Tacoma issues.