Timing Belt V Serpentine Belt

I called Toyota Certified shop today, asking for the quotes on changing the timing belt on 99 4Runner 4wd sr5 V6.

They called me back saying that according to their database, this car has a timing chain. And what I would need yo replace is the Serpentine Belt and waterpump instead of the timing belt.

Does that sounds correct?

The comparison on the price :
- Timing belt cost $2350,- for labor and parts
- Serpentine cost $150,- + parts [ 300+waterpump , 80+ belt , Tension $?,- ]

Any advice is much appreciated.

This car has 182k odo and I dont know if they ever replace it.

Thanks

 

You tell um V6?

Looks like you got a belt.

http://toyota.custhelp.com/app/answ...y-vehicle-have-a-timing-belt-or-timing-chain?

I hope the belt was changed before or you on real borrowed time.

 

I'm brand new to 4Runners (2020 ORP)a and coming from a 2004 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited with 237000 miles on it, so I'll limit my input to general vehicle maintenance.

First, if you have a loose/worn timing chain you'll generally know it by engine performance. I had an old (1989) Dodge truck that would not hold engine timing. It ran fine while accelerating, but when I reached speed and maintained it, the engine would buck and sputter. If I punched it, the chain took up slack and ran great. That's the symptom of a loose, old, stretched timing chain... Ok under load, not so good while trying to hold a speed. Of course, I'm assuming you have a timing chain and not a timing belt. Timing belts generally just fail, so keeping a service schedule on the timing belt is a good idea. Again, I don't know Toyota's that well yet, so someone else will need to speak up on timing belts.

The serpentine belt you see on the front of the engine is a different animal. The serpentine takes power from the engine to drive other equipment, like the water pump, steering pump, alternator, and AC. It's the belt you see. If it breaks, you lose the use of that equipment under the hood, with the water pump being the one that will strand you from overheating. And the battery won't be charging with a broken belt, so you might get to your destination and have a dead battery.

Nonetheless, is there a particular problem you're having? You can check the serpentine belt easily enough just looking at it. Google what to look for and you'll see pictures, which is better than writing it down here. I don't know the recommend schedule to change the serpentine belt, but they're pretty inexpensive and without the history it might be a good comfort to know you have a new one.

I have a neighbor up the street that took her 4Runner in for service to a shade tree mechanic for an alternator job and they didn't seat the serpentine fully on the pulley. It shredded while she was driving, and messed up the power steering pump. I helped her replace the serpentine, so I do know it's something you can do if you're handy. YouTube has videos showing what to do. I found cussing helped significantly because there's not a lot of room to work in there.

As for replacing the water pump and the serpentine at the same time... Unless the pump is leaking or performing poorly, I'd leave it alone and just mess with the serpentine.

Those with more 4Runner experience can chime in and fill in the blanks and correct me.

 

You would normally replace the water pump along with the timing belt because you have to remove pretty much everything from the front of the motor to access them.

A serpentine belt is a 5 minute job.

Sounds like the service department was mistaken.

I would get the timing belt replaced ASAP in case that is an interference motor (pistons would collide with valves if the belt broke).

I would also shop around other reputable shops for a better price on the timing belt. It is a time consuming project, but it would suck to spend over $2k on a job that can be done for ~$300 in parts.

 

Yes, It looks like the Cust. Serv. Rep is mistaken.

I certainly hope the same, looks like its never changed before. I am trying my best to get the best shop to do the job.

 

Yes, I am going to that toyota shop tomorrow to check on it, how come a toyota certified shop, is mistaken about the timing belt/chain and advising me to replace the Serpentine belt instead.

Some other helpful topics in this forum mentioned that this V6 engine is non interference motor. Idk if that helps me to ease the worry , but I still need to change it ASAP

 

It will still leave you stranded if it breaks or slips. It just won't damage the internals of the engine. Let us know if you find a better deal.

 

Thanks for the loads of information thats very helpful.

I maintained 70/80 easily on the highway without any issues. Accelerating is not a problem as well. But it is a belt not a chain, so I am assuming that I am on a very thin ice.
Friend of mine told me to hear for a noisy sound as I am starting the engine, sometimes I can hear that screaming sound when I started the engine. Would that be the belt sound?

In regard to the Serpentine, I will try to change it myself with the youtube guidance.

 

Could be the serpentine belt. A timing belt has notches so it shouldn't slip. If it slipped, your 4runner would run like garbage.

 

$2000k sounds pretty damn high.

But they already got the belt/chain wrong so I'd go elsewhere.

 

You can rule out a squealing belt quickly. Grab a spray can of 'belt dressing' at the parts store, and the next time you hear that noise, squirt a little on the serpentine. If the squealing stops, it's likely your belt.

 

^^^^THIS^^^^

Good point!

 

Exactly, I do really want to visit them tomorrow and see it myself what kind of Toyota Certified shop is this...LoL

 

I will, definitely.

Loads of good info here for newcomer like me. thanks!

 

You're welcome! This forum is full of helpful people.

Welcome to the forum!

 

A little pricey for the timing belt but that must be for the tensioners too? Might want to replace the radiator and upper coolant hose while your at it?

 

v6 4Runner in 99 had a 3400 engine.

There is no serpentine belt. There is no timing chain.

You have a Timing Belt and old-school drive belts for the engine accessories. (One each for AC, Power Steering, Alt)

IT IS NOT AN INTERFERENCE ENGINE. The belt can go...and no damage to the pistons/valves/internals.

Agreed on replacing the radiator. It is a $150 part from Advance for a lifetime warranty. My TOYOTA one only last 125k miles. Advance was no better and no worse. I'm on my 3rd radiator. If the tranny cooler in the radiator goes...you'll need a new transmission. Well worth the $150.

Demand an Aisin water pump and Japanese parts. Mitsuboshi belts. Pulleys should be all OEM or OEM manufacturers. CHINESE CRAP built to "OEM SPECS" is a damn lie. The tensioner..unless it is leaking...I can't see it going bad. I replaced mine on the second t-belt replacement (3rd t-belt).

I have done the t-belt on my 3400 twice. It's not that hard. You need to make a crank holder and the AC unit can be annoying to unbolt/bolt.

While you're in there...there is more stuff that really should be done if it never has been:

New water pump.
New Radiator.
New valve cover gaskets. It's not a whole lot more to take the intake manifold off at this point and with the front of the engine off, easier to get the valve covers off. These gaskets leak at 150k miles.
New cam seals. (good to second t-belt change, 250k miles for me)
New crank seal. (good to second t-belt change, 250k miles for me)

Price wise...since this is like a 4 hour job. What's current top labor rate? $125? So like $500 labor? and that parts list they gave you is a mess but $600? So where is the other $1100?

Maybe I need to quit my day job and install 3400 T-Belts.

 

Went to the place today, They are charging 150/hr for labor and these are the complete parts that they are recommending to replace for the job.

TBelt
2 Idlers
Water Pump
Drive Belts
2 Seals

Being in NYC, labor is pretty high I guess.

I cancelled the job because the labor price is pretty high, they called back and gave me discounted price.
lowered to 1400. for all the labors and parts.

The reason I am cancelling is because the A/T 99 3400 V6 previous owner just told me that he just changed the Tbelt and Wpump, So with the new quotes, I am thinking to do the job on the M/T instead because this is mecessary for the M/T (Previous Owner told me)

I told them, I am going to do the job but for a different vehicle which is the 97 M/T with 274k odo V6. 3400.

Do I need to do the radiator aswell for the M/T?

 

@ipvmarp

First off, you've got a timing belt.

Supply your own parts; there's a vendor that tons of people use on Ebay that offers a complete kit using Aisin parts.

It'll run you about $250 give or take, and a weekend if you're doing it yourself for the first time.

If you're not mechanically inclined, don't have the tools, space, etc. you should be able to get the job done for 400-600 in labor.

Just look for an off road shop that specializes in Toyotas which by the way, you never mentioned where you're located.

I bet even a member or two can help knock it out as a mod party.

 

If you do get your own parts...check with the shop you want to go with. MOST shops no longer allow customers to bring parts.

But those parts prices are insanely high. $180 for an $80 tensioner?

Edit: read it wrong. $180 for the idler.

 

I live in NYC, probably thats why the prices are just insanely high, no space to do the proper job, even tho I am more than happy to get it done by myself.
And I have never seen one good off road shop nearby, probably Long Island part or Upstate, need to do some research with that.

I think for the tensioner cost $60++ as the pictures shown, that 180 is the idler.

I checked out with 3 shops besides this toyota shop.

1 of them charging 750++ for the T-belt only
1 of them asking for 1000 with aftermarket parts (700 for labor only if I purchase the parts myself)

Looking at the comments and replies, I think the price ranges should make sense for my zip code, considering the high taxes and labors here (unfortunately)

 

You were right, I found that this shop even tho its certified, it has terrible reputation. I will post the story here soon, because its such a long story.

 

We all like stories. Please share.

 

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