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TIMING BELT ADVICE

Discussion in '4th Gen 4Runners (2003-2009)' started by yoho360, Mar 11, 2022.

  1. Mar 11, 2022 at 7:26 AM
    #1
    yoho360

    yoho360 [OP] New Member

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    Good Morning! I have a 2004 SR5 V8. It has 248k miles. I bought it at 220k and haven't had any engine issues outside of misfires which were easily fixed by new plugs. However, I can't find record of when the last time the timing belt was addressed. Since it's running smoothly it isn't a major concern but I also would like to stay ahead of it since the mileage is high. Should I get it looked at?
     
    Thatbassguy likes this.
  2. Mar 11, 2022 at 8:23 AM
    #2
    Thatbassguy

    Thatbassguy New member? Really??

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    I would, at least, remove one of the covers and inspect the belt. These are interference motors.

    My original belt ('03, V8) was replaced somewhere around 240K, and it was in pretty rough shape.

    This is how it looked.

    IMG_20150501_234401705.jpg

    IMG_20150501_234344409.jpg
     
    yoho360[OP], negusm and 2Toys like this.
  3. Mar 11, 2022 at 8:24 AM
    #3
    importman

    importman The mountains are calling and I must go...

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    If I were you and didn't know exactly when it was last changed I'd do it immediately. If it breaks it WILL cause major engine damage, (bent valves, possibly damaged pistons). It's not worth taking a chance.
     
  4. Mar 11, 2022 at 11:38 AM
    #4
    negusm

    negusm New Member

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    You already know the answer. If you don't know the history, it's time to change it. Belts are cheap, engines are not.
     
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  5. Mar 15, 2022 at 5:35 PM
    #5
    4-Funner

    4-Funner New Member

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    As mentioned this is an interference engine that will suffer major damage if you have a belt failure. Best to have it changed at least every 100k miles.

    I suggest getting the Aisin kit (Toyota's OEM, includes all OEM parts) that includes the belt, tensioner, idler pulleys, and the waterpump. The only thing the kit doesn't include that you'll need is a tube of Toyota's FIPG (Toyota Seal Packing 1282B #08826-00100) which is needed for the top waterhose outlet and its formulated specifically for Toyota's pink super long life coolant. Many people who have used various third party sealants instead have run into the pink crusties leaking from that seal.

    It's not a terribly hard job to do but it is time consuming so if you are paying labor for someone else to do it it might cost a penny more than you might have thought it should. The waterpump is timing belt driven so if/when it goes you have to all the same work to remove the timing belt just to get to the pump so it's kinda a foolish gamble not to replace it while you are already right there.

    There are many 2UZFE V8 timing belt videos on youtube for 4runners, Lexus and Tundras. This was the most helpful one I wound up referring to when I did mine. This is by someone who has obviously done this job many many times and it shows exactly what tools and in the most ideal order to tackle it step by step along with several great tips for making it easier. One thing though he does skip the waterpump though which I obviously do not recommend doing.



    My first time doing this timing belt took me a full day from morning to sundown, though I'm deliberately slow and picky and laid each piece out in order placing the bolts in their proper locations with each removed part or otherwise labeled, I cleaned every bolt up on the bench grinder's wire wheel, etc, used a bit of blue loctite on most bolts going back in, etc. The second time, again being every bit as ridiculously meticulous, I got her done in just under 5 hrs.
     
    Last edited: Mar 15, 2022
    Thatbassguy likes this.
  6. Mar 16, 2022 at 4:03 PM
    #6
    ToyotaRDie

    ToyotaRDie New Member

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    Does a 2004 SR5 V6 have a timing belt or timing chain?
     
    Thatbassguy[QUOTED] likes this.
  7. Mar 16, 2022 at 4:06 PM
    #7
    Thatbassguy

    Thatbassguy New member? Really??

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    I'm pretty sure the 1GR was always a chain. But, I wouldn't take my word for it. :D
     
  8. Mar 17, 2022 at 6:23 AM
    #8
    iamincrediboy

    iamincrediboy New Member

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    1GR (V6) has a timing chain. 2UZ (V8) has the timing belt
     

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