Timing Time just in time!

Some things I’ve done include adding a brush guard and now since I have no history beyond CarFax report saying maintenance was done not sure if it included a timing belt - so I’m in the process of that and wondering if anyone has used or know of a source for a timing tool to lock everything in place ?

 

There's no need to lock anything in place on that engine. Get an Aisin kit with tensioner and you won't need to worry about a tool to compress the old tensioner either.

 

Just make sure to follow all of the timing belt steps exactly as the repair manual states.

Make sure to line up all of your timing marks, after setting the correct piston to TDC.

Torque all of the bolts to exact specs and double-check the torque again. Don’t skip or guess with this.

Turn the engine over a few times by hand to make sure there is no binding before putting everything back together.

I believe this is the type of tool that you’re referring to.
https://www.amazon.com/Sunluway-4Runner-Harmonic-Holding-Crankshaft/dp/B07NRGRYM1

 

Thanks for the info !

 

Make your own. Took me 5 min and like $5 in materials. I put it in the crank holes and turn the crank via a socket in the center hole until it hits the frame and stays put.

 

Looks like the belt had never been replaced. You might as well replace all the pulleys, as well as the water pump.

 

I’m doing that
Also trying to decide if I go with Gates on the belts for the alternator steering and A/C or go with Toyota

 

How is that even a question? Go Toyota.

 

Yes that’s what I was thinking - is Bando the Toyota OEM manufacturer

 

Maybe? I thought it was Mitsuboshi.

 

I second Toyota belts except that this does not really mean Toyota manufactured them. When I last did the belts, I ordered them through McGeorge Toyota. Looks like they're now called Ourisman Toyota.

 

I ordered from Toyotapartsdeal.com . All I needed was a little nudge ! Thanks all

 

Yeah, I can't think of a situation where it would ever be a better move to use an aftermarket part. If you consider the part(s) you're replacing, and that they still work after a billion miles, what logic is there in saving a few bucks?

How many miles on this girl?

 

I bought her in April of 2023- she has 326,207 - she was at 310,660 actual miles when she became mine

 

I’m in trouble ! While putting on timing belt it was not lined up w mark on crank - off one spot - so I removed belt and while I had clips on my belt on the cams something was off and then it went way off (see pic) so timing belt is off and what to do now ? The left cam and crank is still in place I believe. I’m an idiot !

 

It's a non interferance engine, so you can't break it. So relax.

Just turn the CAM to the mark and verify the crank and other cam are at their timing marks and put the belt on with the marks on the belt lined up. That's what I would do. Then rotate the crank enough rotations where it all lines back up again....i forget how many revolutions of the crank.

You'll need to fight with the tensioner. Probably, take it off, put it in a vice to get a pin in it.

 

The tensioner has not been released - I thought the 3.4 was such engine.

 

I’m off one tooth - is this possible ?

 

I was off one the first time.

I had to reposition until I got it right.

Also make sure the marks match the old belt perfectly.

 

Finally ! Thanks for the input !

 

Cool. Btw, the engine will run 1 tooth off. The second time I did my timing belt, the old belt was off by 1 tooth before I removed it. I also noticed that about 20k miles prior, my engine sounded a slight bit different.

Still passed emissions but was obviously not running perfectly.

 

It was stressing me a little as it was all new experience to me - although this forum, YouTube videos and others have been very helpful.

 

Oh boy, this is either #1 or #2 or #3 next on my list after I finish my clutch. But wait, if your belt made it 320K, and mine only has 190K since it was changed maybe I don't need to yet...nahhh, I better do it anyway.

 

Yeah I dodge a bullet I believe !

 

Ouch! That's bad. I peeked at mine a few years ago and it looked fine, so I just buttoned it up and kept driving.

 

I just checked again, but wish I hadn't. It now has a lot of cracking on the upper surface, though not as bad as your picture. But my hopes of putting it off another year have been dashed. Clutch, valve covers, timing belt, steering links, full brake and parking brake job, full fluid drain/flush/fill...I wonder if I will even get to drive it this summer. Or be able to pay for it all.

 

I hear you ! I got the timing belt on then I pulled engine and tore down to this - going to replace some gaskets for the leaks and also the items in the steering and suspension and brakes and rear axle seal - who knows what else !

 

That looks like it would have been good for at least another 20 miles.

 

Oh good grief....I hope I never see one of those outside of my hood!

 

Here's what mine looks like. Practically pristine compared to yours lol!