I am in the process of changine my timing belt and water pump on my 92 4runner with V6. Has 150,000 miles on it. I checked the #2 idler pulley(the top one with water oulet through it) and it feels very smooth, but when I give it a spin I can hear what sounds like bearings rolling. Does that mean it is bad and should be replaced? Doesn't really sound bad but it does make a little noise. Is it supposed to be silent? Just wondering if I should put a new one on while I'm in there. Thanks for any help.

 

If you can hear the bearings rattle a bit then it is only a little time before it may go. Bearings are tough because it is a hit or miss. Some may go another 80k or they may go right after putting on a new belt (if it does you will be replacing the belt and the bearing too). I can tell you that it should not rattle so if it were my truck I would definately replace it.

 

Thanks, that's kinda what I was thinking. I will go ahead and just replace it.

 

Mine sounded about the same as yours when I did the timing belt, very slight noise but felt smooth. I checked with the parts guy at the dealership and he let me check out a new one - totally silent and smoother than mine. So if there is any doubt I would replace it while you've got everything apart.

 

Definetely replace it. I replaced my belt and didn't do the bearing because it seemed fine. Not more than 3000 miles later the bearing crapped out and jammed, shredding the belt. There were peices of bearings filling the bottom of the timing cover.

 

If there is no play at all, you can always re-grease it, but since it's a lot of work to replace the belt your safer just to replace it.

 

thanks for the replies. I will be putting a new one in, don't want to risk it going out on me.

 

That is definately the prudent choice.