Timing belt replacement on my 4runner...any shop recommendation in Reno or SF?

[Christian P.]

Well, I have 109000 miles now on my 2001 4 Runner. I guess it's past time for a new timing belt...

I found many great write ups but I don't think I have the time to tackle it myself.

http://www.nwtoys.com/forum/tech-article-submissions/1261-5vz-fe-timing-belt-3.html

Anyone here knows how much I should expect to pay for that job? Any suggestion for a good shop anywhere from Reno to San Francisco...?

 

[verticaltrx]

I was quoted $380 to do the timing belt and another $140 if I wanted the water pump done as well. This was from the local Toyota dealer and included parts and labor. I'll change mine again when I get around to it (I'm at 230k now, done last at 120k) but I'm honestly not that worried about it since it's not an interference engine. I have seen 3.4s with 250K still on the original timing belt. The belt was getting pretty ragged by then but still hanging in there.

 

[p nut]

Not sure about Reno/SF, but my local dealer wants $299 for the belt only, and probably another $200 for water pump. $500 is pretty fair price, as I checked around at independent and they were quoting the same. At least with the dealer, I know they'll use OEM parts.

 

[Christian P.]

thanks guys. I read some more last night and you are right, it's a non-interference engine. For some reasons I was under the impression that it was an interference engine.

I am absolutely convinced that the belt can last easily 150K, so I am not as worried. I read some more last night and it seems like typically the water pump seems to go before the belt.

 

[p nut]

You'll want to make sure the water pump is not leaking, as coolant on the belt could make it deteriorate much quicker. Just checking the condition of the belt is an easy process, so I've tried to do it every few months.

Regarding the engine, I have heard of cases where the valves were bent due to the belt snapping, so it's not a 100% fool-proof engine. But I typically change mine out at 125-130k mile intervals.

 

[skrillah]

You'll want to make sure the water pump is not leaking, as coolant on the belt could make it deteriorate much quicker. Just checking the condition of the belt is an easy process, so I've tried to do it every few months.

Regarding the engine, I have heard of cases where the valves were bent due to the belt snapping, so it's not a 100% fool-proof engine. But I typically change mine out at 125-130k mile intervals.

I have a hard time believing the belt snapping had anything to do with the valves. An engine is either interference or its not, if the valves were bent it wasn't because of the belt at least not if it were a 3.4L.

I changed my belt out at 85k miles and it was almost as good as the new belt I was putting on. You could easily go 150k on it. Though, the thing to watch for is the water pump. I changed mine out at 85k because the pump had a small leak and I was getting ready for a road trip. The belt would be fine, its the pump that is more of the issue in my experience anyways.