3.4 cam belts

[oakfloor]

Has anyone here ever had one fail? my mechanic has never seen a broken belt on a V-6, and Ive talked to a guy with 169k on his 97' 3.4 and never replaced it...and has anyone ever had a water pump fail? if so how many miles? Thanks, LK

[Flash75]

Does your mechanic recommend the belt doesn't need to be replaced? You didn't say how many miles you have on your truck, if it is over 90k you may want to think about your luck as a gambler. Read this Gates information for replacement intervals. Note that the Tacoma 3.4 engine is an interference engine meaning if the belt breaks you will probably have some internal engine damage.
http://www.familycar.com/CarCare/GatesFrame.htm

Regarding water pumps, you may want to read this article. If Tacoma water pumps never fail why would one dealer have 13 in stock?
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...d.php?t=507014

FWIW, my Tacoma has a 2.4 engine with timing chain. I haven't seen a broken Tacoma belt but I did have to replace a broken belt on an Izuzu Stylus, lucky it was a non-intereferance engine.

Clifton

[Brian R.]

I don't know if you can draw much of a conclusion from the number of pumps in stock. Dealers routinely install water pumps in engines with timing belt replacement maintenance. Therefore, it is the timing belt change interval that determines, at least partially, the number of pumps replaced.