2003 V8 Tundra 2WD timing belt question

[Penthor]

It's time to change my belt (100K). Should the pulleys be changed also, and the cam/crank seals? Anything else that should be considered with this work?

[jdmccright]

Check your owner's manual for the proper interval to change the timing belt...usually ~90k miles. Since yours is an interference engine I wouldn't wait much longer to have it done.

First things to consider are the oil seals for the crank, camshafts, and oil pump. Some including me would say wait until the second belt change to do this. Most seals stay good and pliable up to the second change. But conversely, they're not that difficult to change out since you have it apart already and they're relatively cheap parts. Another reason for changing falls back to you having an interference engine. If there is a significant oil leak and it causes the belt to slip or break, internal damage can occur...very unlikely but a possibility.

The second things to consider changing are the water pump and timing belt pulleys. Not really necessary, but some do it for piece of mind since to have one go bad after a timing belt change would entail tearing down the front of the engine AGAIN. These are pricier so there's the main reason for holding off on doing them. For these, I'd suggest running them until they go bad or at worst change them after the second belt change.

At your mileage rate (~15k miles per year) you don't seem to be pushing it very hard so you can probably defray these other items until at least your second belt change. But if you're like some folks who want peace of mind and don't mind spending the extra $$$, then it can't hurt. Hope this helps!

[Penthor]

Thanks jdmccright, your response helps. After asking around I was leaning toward doing just the belt now and everything else with the next belt change. But it helps to have the opinion of someone with no $$ interest in the situation.

[Airjer_]

If you decide to do the waterpump do yourself a favor and get an O.E. pump from the manufacturer. I got burned on an aftermarket pump. The upper water manifold bolts would not line up. Since the water pump is pined to the block it is virtually impossible to screw up the install of the pump. Has to take everything back apart, installed dealer pump and everything went back together just fine.

Make sure you don't forget to reinstall the little plastic shield that sits behind the a/c compressor otherwise you'll be taking of the a/c compressor for the third time. AAAHHHHH lessons learned!!!!!!

[Penthor]

Thanks for the advice Airjer. I'll make a note. Because I had never done a timing belt on a Toyota, and it was the wifes truck, I just had my mechanic swap the belt and leave the pump, pulleys and seals for next time. I would like to have tinkered with it and learned the engine but my wife gets a little put out when I take too long working on her ride

Thanks all for the advice