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Timing belt urgency?

Discussion in '1st Gen Tundras (2000-2006)' started by rustbeltwarrior69, Jan 21, 2025.

  1. Jan 21, 2025 at 1:06 PM
    #1
    rustbeltwarrior69

    rustbeltwarrior69 [OP] New Member

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    Hey all. Just got my first tundra yesterday and I’m loving it. I know I need to get the timing belt done asap but I’m wondering about the urgency. I popped two of the bolts off to take a peek at it and there’s definitely a few cracks but it doesn’t seem terrible to me. I’m a little low on cash now but I can probably get it done in a week or two. Does that sound fine or should I get it done sooner. Here’s the video I took. I know it’s hard to tell but it’s cold as shit here and I didn’t want to take the cover all the way off. From what I can see the cracks aren’t going all the way across so I figure another week of driving shouldn’t be too bad.

    IMG_6540.jpg
    IMG_6539.png
     
  2. Jan 21, 2025 at 1:08 PM
    #2
    Jack McCarthy

    Jack McCarthy Working remotely from the local pub

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    Video doesn’t play.
     
  3. Jan 21, 2025 at 1:09 PM
    #3
    AZBoatHauler

    AZBoatHauler SSEM#140 / 2.5 gen plebe

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    :eek2:
    Ummm I would not turn it on again until it was replaced. 1000% serious.
     
  4. Jan 21, 2025 at 1:09 PM
    #4
    AZBoatHauler

    AZBoatHauler SSEM#140 / 2.5 gen plebe

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    Just look at the pic. It took me a minute…
     
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  5. Jan 21, 2025 at 1:10 PM
    #5
    badass03taco

    badass03taco New Member

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    Cant tell, but if those cracks are what i think, you need to do it yesterday. That tiny sliver looks like 200,000 miles or more, baked and hard and about to snap
     
  6. Jan 21, 2025 at 1:11 PM
    #6
    AZBoatHauler

    AZBoatHauler SSEM#140 / 2.5 gen plebe

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  7. Jan 21, 2025 at 1:14 PM
    #7
    Jack McCarthy

    Jack McCarthy Working remotely from the local pub

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    Those two cracks? Oh, okay. I thought this was going to be one of the pointillism pictures you need to stand several feet back to see it.
     
  8. Jan 21, 2025 at 1:22 PM
    #8
    SD Surfer

    SD Surfer Globe Trotting Bon Vivant

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    Not something you wanna' roll the dice on, given the potential consequences.
     
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  9. Jan 21, 2025 at 2:21 PM
    #9
    shifty`

    shifty` We skipped the light fandango

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    I'm going to assume you've read this really super important thread and thus you knew the timing belt is one of the "big three tundra killers", right along with rusty frames, and aftermarket balljoints?

    If not, you really should, and make sure you didn't get boned on the frame. It's clear you got boned on the timing belt, it's something that thread and just about every member here will tell you to check before buying. It needs to be done every 100k miles or 10 years, and that looks like it's far older than 100k or 10 years. (Toyota says 90k or 9yr, if you use OEM parts).

    That belt should have zero cracks in it. Like, none-none. The fact it's cracking at the edges is actually worse than it having cracks in the middle. Belts typically tear from the edges, so the fact it has tears forming at the edge is indicative it's about to go.

    I wouldn't even feel very comfortable driving it to the shop to have them work on it, frankly. Buy the Aisin OEM kit either from HERE or HERE. It will last for the full 9yr/90k miles Toyota change interval, unlike aftermarket. DO NOT BUY THE KIT ON scAmazon OR fleaBay.

    The kit includes what you need parts-wise: Timing belt, water pump, new pulleys, gaskets, tensioner, from the same company that manufactured the factory parts. Get crackin' but DO NOT drive that thing around. If that belt snaps above 1,000 - 1,500 RPM most shops won't even touch it, because there's a solid chance the engine is permanently damaged.
     
  10. Jan 21, 2025 at 2:28 PM
    #10
    The Black Mamba

    The Black Mamba He must increase, but I must decrease - John 3:30

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    Imma keep it stock
    [​IMG]
     
  11. Jan 21, 2025 at 2:28 PM
    #11
    JasonC.

    JasonC. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

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    Good on you for taking a peek behind the inspection cover and not just sending it!!

    I would take the bus the next couple of weeks. My 20-plus year old factory belt, while admittedly low mileage, still had zero cracks in it when I changed it out.
     
  12. Jan 21, 2025 at 3:33 PM
    #12
    ATBAV8

    ATBAV8 New Member

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    That thing is done! You're on borrowed time. Every comment on here agrees. You really don't want a V8 paperweight, do you?
     
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  13. Jan 21, 2025 at 4:22 PM
    #13
    Fragman

    Fragman New Member

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    Let's not forget also how the super 'cold as shit' weather is going to make the rubber even more brittle given it's already deteriorated condition.
     
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  14. Jan 21, 2025 at 6:50 PM
    #14
    rustbeltwarrior69

    rustbeltwarrior69 [OP] New Member

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    yeah no it’s got a brand new frame and brand new oem ball joints. I planned to do a new timing belt regardless of the condition. My issue is I’m 110 miles from home with no tools and no garage and it’s negative 5 so no chance I’m trying this with shit tools and nowhere to do anything. Toyota dealership is 5 minutes away taking side roads and I got a low ish quote compared to dealers in my home town so that’s about my only option. Only reason I feel fine taking it to the dealer is bc I drove it an hour back home from the dealer I bought it from and an hour and a half down here to school. Thanks for the info though guys.
     
  15. Jan 21, 2025 at 6:52 PM
    #15
    rustbeltwarrior69

    rustbeltwarrior69 [OP] New Member

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    Water pump is next up on the list but no chance in hell I’m taking it to a dealer for that. I’ll just keep an eye on the temp gauge any time I drive it. I figure that can wait until I get some tools down here.
     
  16. Jan 21, 2025 at 7:00 PM
    #16
    whodatschrome

    whodatschrome New Member

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    lots of dents
    Pour a bottle of Armor All in there and it will make it like brand new.
     
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  17. Jan 21, 2025 at 7:01 PM
    #17
    KNABORES

    KNABORES Sarcasm incoming

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    Read the thread @shifty` posted. You came and asked for some wisdom and it was delivered. Not heeding the advice is done at your own peril. The water pump gets changed at the same time as the timing belt. Use only the Aisin kit.
     
  18. Jan 21, 2025 at 7:01 PM
    #18
    badass03taco

    badass03taco New Member

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    The timing belt kits come with the water pump........... You gotta take it off to get the timing belt done so you may as well do the water pump at the same time.

    1667158784853916.jpg
     
    ATBAV8, G_unit3000 and AZBoatHauler like this.
  19. Jan 21, 2025 at 7:43 PM
    #19
    AZBoatHauler

    AZBoatHauler SSEM#140 / 2.5 gen plebe

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    This. It’s no extra labor.
     
  20. Jan 21, 2025 at 8:16 PM
    #20
    shifty`

    shifty` We skipped the light fandango

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    :rofl:
     
  21. Jan 22, 2025 at 7:04 AM
    #21
    MooreKen

    MooreKen New Member

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    OP I felt exactly the same way you do and after posting on the 4Runner Forum pictures of my Tundra, someone sent me links to this forum and “Shifty’s “So you’re thinking about buying a Tundra” and I parked it until the day I drove it to the shop (where it’s currently having AISIN Timing Belt w/ water pump , Toyota OEM Lower Ball Joints, and a new Denso Radiator put on it. So I feel your Pain $$. But my stress level is 100% lower than when I had this sickening thought of what if …. Good Luck!
     
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  22. Jan 22, 2025 at 7:36 AM
    #22
    shifty`

    shifty` We skipped the light fandango

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    To this point ...

    Spend $200-300 installing OEM LBJ, or spend $2,000 - $3,000 repairing damages caused by your wheel snapping off, because you thought "surely it'll last another couple more weeks, what are the chances?!"
    Spend $175-200 installing Aisin OEM timing belt kit, or spend $1,750 - $2,000 on a used engine, because you thought "surely it'll last another couple more weeks, what are the chances?!"

    It's all relative. Granted, if you can't do the work, the latter of those two obviously sets you back substantially more money, because a shop will likely charge at least $1,000 for the install (make sure they use the Aisin kit linked above!), but the point remains the same, the cost of failure is typically 10x the cost of doing maintenance on-time using genuine OEM-grade parts.
     
  23. Jan 22, 2025 at 10:09 AM
    #23
    rustbeltwarrior69

    rustbeltwarrior69 [OP] New Member

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    Is it not a given that a Toyota dealer would use Toyota oem parts? I would have thought so but I’ll make sure to specify the Aisin kit. Thanks for the tip
     
  24. Jan 22, 2025 at 10:09 AM
    #24
    badass03taco

    badass03taco New Member

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    Mornin fren
    That was me
    Glad you are here
    This place is full of info on these vehicles and we are a joy to be around
    Since you are fixing those main big 3, you should be able to have an easy 100,000 miles without any real worries, sure you might lose a coil pack some day, sure you still need to check the brake pads, ect ect, but otherwise these trucks are uber reliable..........

    1643642995359.jpg
     
  25. Jan 22, 2025 at 10:13 AM
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    MooreKen

    MooreKen New Member

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    I am so glad you sent those links…. Thanks once again!!
     
  26. Jan 22, 2025 at 10:16 AM
    #26
    shifty`

    shifty` We skipped the light fandango

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    Ah, if you're using a dealership, they're going to force you to use OEM parts :rofl:

    I don't consider a dealership to be a "shop", used that term for a reason. A lot of folks on here don't like paying stealership pricing on parts/labor.

    I've never seen a dealership that'll let you hand them parts. Even some shops charge extra for user-supplied parts, for a myriad of reasons.
     
  27. Jan 22, 2025 at 10:26 AM
    #27
    Fragman

    Fragman New Member

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    I'd personally go for a local shop that specializes in Toyotas over a dealer. That's what I did. Many reasons.

    ETA - As you need to dump coolant to do the timing belt, and although you don't have to, many remove the radiator to do it to give themselves more room to work, you may as well replace that at the same time.
     
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  28. Jan 22, 2025 at 10:29 AM
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    MooreKen

    MooreKen New Member

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    100%. I am greatful to have a good local shop. My 4Runner has 10year/100K mile warranty and I still won’t take it to the local dealership.
     
  29. Jan 22, 2025 at 10:29 AM
    #29
    rustbeltwarrior69

    rustbeltwarrior69 [OP] New Member

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    I’ll give that a try and call around. Like I said I’m down here in a college town with not a lot of availability. I took my Firebird to a decent shop so I might try that. You guys are def right about prices though. They want 960 + tax for water pump and timing belt. Might have to bite the bullet through because like I said the Toyota dealer is right around the corner and a decent shop will be about 30 minute drive
     
  30. Jan 22, 2025 at 10:32 AM
    #30
    AZBoatHauler

    AZBoatHauler SSEM#140 / 2.5 gen plebe

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    Taking some of the glare out of the pic didn’t make it look any better…
    IMG_1796.jpg


    Do you have roadside assistance you could use for a tow?
     

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