quattro

I'm trying to figure out how you guys can do a 3.4L timing belt in 2hrs road-side. Now that I've done one I figure the best I could do is 6hrs drive-to-drive. I blow so darn much time on the darn AC bracket as well as stringing the new belt for it to be as close to perfect as I can get. 2Hrs seems amazing to me. I pride myself on not being a slow mechanic too!

Next time I do this, I'm flying one of the 2hrs guys out here to show me what I'm doing wrong! Cheers!

SSG Yota

Had mine doen at 107000 miles. Not sure if it needed it or not, but I wanted to make everything and I mean everything was in tip top shape for when I come home in August from my deployment. Can't wait to start the mods, that are sitting in my garage and waiting to be installed.!!!!!!!!!!! I am so eager, I fell like a kid on Christmas morning waiting to dig in the presents. But for me it will be digging in the Yota!!

SouthernComfort

You did not have to take the AC bracket off. You can get to the tensioner with a wobbler socket (universal joint) and an extension from right next to the oil pan. It is a tight fit but I know it works because that is how I got mine off.

I agree 2 hrs is amazing, but now that you have done it one time it would probably go much quicker next time. I bet the "average" person could finish in 2.5-3 hrs once they have done it before.

youngbuck

What mm socket did you use, and would a deep u-joint socket work, or do you need a shallow one?

What about a shallow socket with the u-joint attachment, would that work?

SouthernComfort

I do not remember what size the socket was, but it is easy to check once you get the TB covers off. You can easily spot the tensioner and just put a socket up to it and try it out. I think it is a 10mm, but again I am not positive.

I believe either would work, but I used a shallow socket, 1/4" drive, extension and the universal joint. Remember you may have to move the wires on the front over by unclipping the harness from the oil pan. The whole thing will go easier if you have an assistant stand under the hood and quide the socket into place because it is a little difficult to see from under there.

BruceTS

I can pull the entire engine out in less than 2 hrs......done it......

read this thread

xcmountain80

Had mine changed at 96k.

Aaron

kwikrnu

I just bought a 95 tacoma with the 3.4 and it has 214K miles. I hope the belt has been changed. If it hasn't I guess I'll be stuck on the side of the road until AAA can tow me to my house so I can change it.

I'll bet that this belt hadn't been changed if it was maybe well before 100K miles.

tx ranger

135k miles on my original, i'll get around to it eventually...at least i have cool games on my cell phone to play until the tow truck gets there :pat:

LarsDennert

I think the 3.4 is an interference engine. If the belt lets loose, the valves get bent. Look on the timing belt shroud for a sticker from the dealer. They put one on if they've done it. It'll give you an idea if you've got one.

MTL_4runner

No, it is not an interference motor.
BruceTS verified this on a 3.4L motor he had and posted pics, no worry on bent valves.
.....now towing after you break down is another story.

bmwpower

Good to hear that it's non-interference. Time to take back the timing belt I bought...

984runner

Had mine done at 90K. Just for a piece of mind, newborn and all...

coolboatguy

looks like i have the record with just over 170k on the stock belt in a s/c engine.

misterzee

.. and for the sake of 'interference trivia', the 22r(e) IS an interference type, and the information I get says the 3.0L is not ...

csfisher

I should start by saying that I bought my rig with 124,000 kms on it so the timing belt could have been changed but the dealership had no record of it. I am 40,000 kms over the recommended timing and I was starting to get nervous because I didn't know that it was a non-interference engine...I'm still going to get it done next week, but I am tempted to let it go to see how long it could last.

leonardator

how bout just changing them when they start squeaking a bit, or squeaking all the time?

gpcollen1

Mine was recently done at 127K - the belt appeared to be in near perfect condition. It could have gone to 200k.

misterzee

I just picked up a 97 with 170,000 miles. the belt had been changed once at 57,000. Probably need to look into doing it this summer.

Adam F

There is no "they". There is only ONE timing belt.

The timing belt is cogged, or ribbed, and will not squeal. It can stretch and become loose, and then you might hear it tapping against the timing belt cover.

The squealing belts you hear are your accessory belts, which drive the alternator, fan, and power steering.

I'm going to buy a '97 tomorrow with 165k on the clock, and the owner says its been replaced at 80k. But I'm still going to try and pull the timing cover to verify, since there is no sticker anywhere on the truck.