Just bought, Just joined, Need advice

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N

NC Cruiser 99

10 Year
Joined
Nov 22, 2013
Threads
1
Messages
4
Hello all. Read some great stuff the last couple of days and decided to join. Bought a 99 River Rock Green Stock L/C originally owned by retired military man for 9 years, 110k with perfect records and maintenence. Sold it to his son in law with spotty records. What I see from reciepts and car fax overs the last 4-5 years, it looks like the starter and alternator (x2 within 60 days) were replaced. Otherwise 2nd owner just did oil changes. Took it to Toyota stealership for pre owned inspection and they suggested timing belt for $850 (includes all drive belts and water pump), has leaking valve covers ($350) and has mismatched tires with different tread patterns and age so they suggested 4 new tires. Also, last spark plug change was at 100K. Questions:

1. Should I be concerned about the alternator issue?
2. Is the work on above needed and are the prices in line?

Aside - Can't do repairs myself. Have loved the L/C since I could drive 30 plus years ago. Would love to fix stuff myself but I have zero time with work/travel and I have zero experience.
 
Welcome!!

That's exactly the color of both my wife's and mine and they're both 98's! (I think it's called River Rock Mica Green)
What branch of military? I'm currently Army reserve.

Re: Alternator, never replaced one yet in either mine or my wife's. She has 270k miles and I have a little over 200k miles. Albeit, I will be replacing mine for a larger amperage (200 amp) one when I get my winch and lights.

DO HAVE TIMING BELT CHANGE EVERY 90K(±10k) or as Dirty Harry used to say, "Well, Punk, do you feel lucky?"
Unless you do it yourself, $850.00 is a fair price for a timing belt, especially from a dealer.
 
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1) no
2) TB should include tensioner, idlers & seals. Call around your area for price comparison.

Spark plugs last and last. Tires should match on all-wheel-drive vehicles.

Change all lubes, fluids & filters. Do front wheel bearing service & lube propeller shaft. In other words base-line it from day one, so you know its good, then start normal maintenance schedule.
 
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I had leaky valve covers and was able to tightent the valve cover bolts myself to slow/stop the leak. I think it is a 10 mm or 12 mm socket. If you decide to replace them, don't forget the spark plug hole o-rings.

I think the spark plugs should be good for many more miles especially if they are iridium tipped. Even if they were copper, they would still have some life in them since they are only 10k miles old. Check the FAQ or owner's manual for service intervals for spark plugs.
 
Sorry,,,,original post was not clear. Original owner had perfect maintence for 105k, the son in law had it 5 years and 55k miles. The car has 160k miles.
 
NC Cruiser 99 said:
Sorry,,,,original post was not clear. Original owner had perfect maintence for 105k, the son in law had it 5 years and 55k miles. The car has 160k miles.
Click to expand...

Any clue if the timing belt has been replaced?

If you have no record, absolutely get that belt changed out.
 
Get yourself four tires that match, and have the TB changed when it is convenient for you.

Do not worry about the alternator, valve cover gaskets, or spark plugs.

The dealer told me I needed new valve cover gaskets too.

I just wiped off the oil that had accumulated over 200,000 miles and tightened the valve covers a little (but not too tight). They do not leak anymore.

If they are iridium plugs they should be good for at least 100k.
 
Look for sticker on timing belt cover that states when T-belt changed. If you find it then don't change until 90K miles more, and go find different mechanic that can see better. If no sticker have changed.

Timing belt changed sticker, on DS T-belt cover just left of engine oil. Sometime place on PS T-b cover:
1 T-belt change sticker.webp

1 T-belt change sticker.webp
 
You can also check on Toyota.com/owners by VIN and see if there's a record of the TB by the first owner at a dealership. There is no evidence to substantiate the hysteria of the tb change. If it's original, do it "soon-ish". Way more documented alternator failures, and even those are few and far between. :meh:
 
re_guderian said:
You can also check on Toyota.com/owners by VIN and see if there's a record of the TB by the first owner at a dealership. There is no evidence to substantiate the hysteria of the tb change. If it's original, do it "soon-ish". Way more documented alternator failures, and even those are few and far between. :meh:
Click to expand...

With all due respect, if an alternator goes out, you're stuck. If your timing belt goes out, you're stuck and in need of a new engine.;)
 
Thanks for help everyone...

Update - Figured that if I was keeping this for another 300K miles I needed assurance that I did all I could from the start. It did have the original timing belt that the tech said looked perfectly fine but definitely suggested changing which I did. (Water pump, drive belts, etc included). Put four new Cooper 275/70/16 H/T tires. Michelan were outrageous so I saved $100/tire. Also packed the front wheel bearings b/c they told me there was the slightest free play but nothing to worry about. I told them to change out all fluids and filters but when they checked it - the were honest enough to tell me that they would be robbing me since everything looked good. Again thanks for the advice and will keep track of this forum daily.
 
Don't go away YET!!!

Stay tuned to MUD to find many more ways to spend your money and/or keep your weekends busy working on your new Toy.

The fun has only begun... ;-)
 
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