Just had what I believe is a timing belt failure on my daughters '02 4Runner (3.4 L) while enroute from Florida to L.A. My question is, could I have damaged/bent some valves? I had it towed to a Toyota dealer in Avondale, Arizona and they moved me to the front of the list for getting the repair done first thing tomorrow (Tuesday) morning. I need to have the car in L.A. By wednesday to be shipped out to Hawaii.
Timing belt failure...
- Thread starter Capt. Jim
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The 3.4 is a non-interference motor. The valves should be fine.
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Good to hear. Thanks. Will find out the damages ($$$) later this morning.
Let us know the outcome. Good luck.
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Local Toyota dealer in Avondale, Az treated us great. Service writer stayed after hours to take us in after being towed about 40 miles to get there. Moved us up to start immediately the following morning. Got a call about 8:10 am that next morning and they had already torn it down and told me the damages and cost. Belt was destroyed and took out the water pump. Had them change the tensioners, t-stat, do an oil change, and anything else they saw fit. As noted above, no damage to any valves/pistons. Got us back on the road by 2:00 pm. $1,700 and he even discounted the parts for me. When it was said and done, only had about a 8 hour delay in my trip from Florida to L.A. Taking the car today to Long Beach for shipping to Hawaii with some time to spare.
Had timing belt ever been changed on this truck? Just curious about how many miles the belt had on it before snapping.
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My daughter bought it about 11 years ago, it's a 2002. Only had about 100k on the clock when purchased, so i doubt it had ever been changed. Had 245k at time of failure. Failed after 3 long days of driving cross country.
Good to hear. Not planning on it, but nice to know that if something did happen the engine would be OK.
The tbelt is supposed to be changed every 90k miles. It sounds like a badly neglected vehicle. Have the plugs ever been changed? Coolant? Front ball joints? Rear axle seals? Trans fluid?
Do check the plugs. Had one blow out of the head on my 5vz-fe.
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Yes on all items and more. Other than timing belt, everything was maintained. She just didn't know about the timing belt issue. Truck ran like a top from Florida until the failure in Arizona.
$1700 and parts discounted? Did they replace the cam and crank seals? how about other pulleys and hydraulic tensioner?
I would change the lower ball joints every 100k miles or 8 years, just my 2 pennies.
I would change the lower ball joints every 100k miles or 8 years, just my 2 pennies.
@ClevSix - Can you please explain what "non-interference" would be (for my knowledge). I have recently purchased a Tacoma and am trying to read up on things to expect coming around 160,000.
I have been asked many times lately about this "Timing belt/water pump" issue when talking about my pickup but I was under the impression that this issue wouldn't necessarily apply to my 2.7L 3RZ-FE (having a timing chain).
Appreciate the insight.
Non-interference means the pistons don't go high enough to hit or interfere with the valves. If you have an interference motor the valves and pistons occupy the same space at different times. This makes it possible for the pistons to hit the valves if the timing is off. The 3.4 liter 5vzfe motor is a non-interference motor so the valves sould be fine in the event of a timing belt failure.
Here is some more info for you:
Interference engine - Wikipedia
I'm not sure about the 2.7 being interference or not. Around 250k or so, it may be a good idea to replace the chain, tensioner, and guides.
the reason behind replacing the t-belt and water pump at the same time is that the t-belt drives the water pump. its one of those while im in there kinda repairs. with the 2.7 youll want to check your valve clearance every now and then
Good advise at that mileage. We had a Saab timing chain break. The tensioner failed and the chain jumped the broken tensioner. It was a complete machine shop rebuild for $$$
On my 3RZ at 60K about half the valve clearances were out but nothing horrible. I'm guessing they were never set perfectly in a mass produced world but "close enough." I'm a ways away from 120K but I'll get back in there then. I bet they will not have moved much. And yeah I'd say a timing chain doesn't owe you anything at 250K.
the 3rz ha d a tendency for the valves to get a little tight, nothing crazy, just nature of the beast