'97 timing belt
runner97
06-02-2004, 10:26 PM
Recently purchased a used '97 4Runner SR5.....love it. This vehicle has low miles (61k) and has been pampered by previous owner (have all dealer service records) . My question is does the timing belt need to be replaced at 60k or 90k? Owners manual is a little confusing about this.
I'd like to wait until 90k if this is OK.
I'd like to wait until 90k if this is OK.
ToyotaTech1
06-02-2004, 10:38 PM
At our dealer we have been replacing them at 5 years/ 60k miles
I would not wait that long simply for the fact that these cars tend to have leaking waterpumps and if not caught early you could have more serious problems in the future. Although if you wanted to you could go till the belt breaks as it is not an interference motor.
I would not wait that long simply for the fact that these cars tend to have leaking waterpumps and if not caught early you could have more serious problems in the future. Although if you wanted to you could go till the belt breaks as it is not an interference motor.
Brian R.
06-03-2004, 01:43 AM
"At our dealer we have been replacing them at 5 years/ 60k miles"
Nothing personal, ToyotaTech1, but when a mechanic or dealership sevice department who stands to make money by making a repair, recommends more frequent maintenance, I really doubt their ability to be unbiased in their judgement of what is best for me.
(Understand that I know you personally don't stand to make money by such a recommendation)
Nothing personal, ToyotaTech1, but when a mechanic or dealership sevice department who stands to make money by making a repair, recommends more frequent maintenance, I really doubt their ability to be unbiased in their judgement of what is best for me.
(Understand that I know you personally don't stand to make money by such a recommendation)
runner97
06-03-2004, 06:20 AM
To Brian R: So replacing the timing belt at the 5 yr/60k mark is to early in your opinion?
Brian R.
06-03-2004, 08:53 AM
It is very conservative for normal usage, according to published maintenance intervals. Reasonable for hard usage.
I will use 90,000 intervals on mine, as recommended by Toyota. Along with a water-pump change.
Normally if your water pump fails, it will leak and possibly trash your timing belt. It is then time to change both. There is no problem with detecting a leaking water pump. Shaft failure is not a common failure mode, from my experience - although ToyotaTech1 undoubtedly has more experience with this than I do.
If the timing belt breaks, at worst, you are stranded. For the water pump, it pays to keep an eye on your garage floor.
I will use 90,000 intervals on mine, as recommended by Toyota. Along with a water-pump change.
Normally if your water pump fails, it will leak and possibly trash your timing belt. It is then time to change both. There is no problem with detecting a leaking water pump. Shaft failure is not a common failure mode, from my experience - although ToyotaTech1 undoubtedly has more experience with this than I do.
If the timing belt breaks, at worst, you are stranded. For the water pump, it pays to keep an eye on your garage floor.
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