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marcfj60

marcfj60

15 Year
Joined
Oct 1, 2006
Threads
210
Messages
4,508
Location
Sandia Park, NM
I usually don't pay attention when people ask this question, so I never remember the responses. Who on here that lets others work on their vehicles would recommend an Albuquerque shop, and what would that shop be?

I have a friend with a 2005 4Runner, 4.0 V6. I think the water pump is dying or maybe just a belt idler bearing about to go out(there's a rattling sound coming from the front of the engine) . She doesn't want to spend a small fortune at Toyota. I advised her if the water pump is indeed the problem, then she should plan to replace the timing belt and tensioners at the same time since the truck had 70K miles and it wouldn't be much more on the labor.

I also thought about Ali, since it sounds like he's been working on other's vehicles to keep busy and keep some money coming in. Figured I'd ask here for any other recommendations.
 
Toyo Master. Edith and Hawkins, just west of I-25. Chris and Todd. Good guys. Next to Ryan, Todd is the only other fella I trust with my junk.
 
The nice thing about Toyomaster is they are not as persnickety as other shops. Example. I replaced the rear wheel bearings on the 4Runner awhile back. In order to save a few bucks I pulled the axle shafts out and took them with the parts from AmToy to Todd. Most shops would want to pull the axle shafts themselves at a hundred bucks an hour, or book rate, which ever is more, and would insist on selling you the parts. Todd was way cool with it, and it saved me mucho bucks.
 
Sounds like a good recommendation. I'll tell her to go there. Ali's booked for at least the next few weeks on some 80s anyway.
 
Apparently, that 4.0 V6 (1GR-FE) uses a timing chain so there isn't the common issues associated with a timing belt. That makes water pump replacement a lot easier, as it sits in the more traditional location behind the fan clutch. It just wasn't visible behind the drive pulley and all the other stuff that was in the way when I looked at it yesterday. I suppose it could be a loose belt. Maybe an idler or tensioner for the serpentine belt. Maybe the tensioner machanism for the timing chain has given out so the chain is a bit loose and rattling or the tensioner itself is making noise. It's hard to describe the noise other than a rattling, chattering around the front of the engine.
 
Just some thoughts... Years ago a I had a Subaru that when the belt stretched beyond the tensioner's limit the belt would bang against the belt cover and produce a rattling sound. If the water pump was really failing to the point it rattled I would think it would be leaking badly. When tensioner bearings go bad they usually produce a "whining" sound. For a rattling sound not related to the belt I'd look at the ac compressor because there's all kinds of stuff in there that could fail and rattle.

I'm still light on work so I could look at it and maybe do the needed repairs (if on the simpler side) cheaper than a shop.
 
Thanks for the offer. I'll mention it to her and let you know what route she decides to take.
 
The folks at Undercar in Edgewood are my EM choice, for all sorts of rigs. They also let me bring parts if I can find them cheaper.
 
beno said:
Is she cute and single?

:lol:
Click to expand...

Neither. And she's old enough to be your mother.

Incidentally, she decided to take it Toyotmaster after I gave her the options suggested here. Sorry Greg.
 
There is a TSB out for the belts on the V6 4Runners. Might look into it as the problem.

G
 
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