Serpentine belt replacement

I'm up over 100k and will replace the Serpentine belt. Anyone done it recently?

 

I've done a few on different Toyotas. I have a new belt but will probably wait until later this year to install. I'm at 79K.

 

Yes.

 

There's a plastic gauge to measure wear unless you see visible cracks. Maybe check it before replacing.

 

I'll just do it, shouldn't be too difficult

 

Isn't it too early? I had over 120,000 miles on my old 2010 4Runner and serpentine belt was still original.

 

I've seen it recommended to change at 70 to 100k

 

Print out or draw a diagram of the routing. There's a couple good Youtube videos out there. Some use an allen wrench on the tensioner and some don't. I also don't change belts enough to be considered good at.......lol.

 

Is there a good YouTube video someone can point me to? Thanks

 

If the rubber is good, no cracks, no need to replace it. These can go a long long time.

 

On my previous 10' FJ Cruiser (same engine) I changed mine at 75,000, and keep the old one in the FJ as an emergency spare. As mentioned, many get 100,000 miles from these belts. They do last a long time. It's handy to have a friend while looping the new belt in place to hold part of the belt while re-applying the tension.

 

I know there is a way to lock the tensioner to make it easier. I need to watch a video and figure that out

 

Did mine in March: https://www.4runners.com/posts/438971

I replaced the tensioner pulley (which has a LH threaded bolt) so I judged it was necessary to lock the tensioner open with an allen key, so I wouldn't be reefing the breaker bar against the belt.

Depending on how much off roading you do, the idler pulleys will degrade quicker than the belt itself. The most susceptible idler, the lower one, is also the least accessible I think the later 5th gens like yours have a different oil cooler which blocks the lower idler pulley even more.

 

At least on my 2010, the tension pully had a small hole in it the lined up with the same size hole on the front of the engine block once tension is released. A Phillips screwdriver fit in to both holes to hold the tension pully still while changing the belt. Worth a check. In fact I should check this out on my 21' 4R and see if the two holes are still there. LOL