Toyota Mechanic in Winnipeg Area

[Foehammer]

Hello fellow mudders, needing a timing belt job done before winter and I've been calling around getting quotes. Toyota dealership said it was 2500 CAD plus taxes for parts and labour (timing belt+water pump) which seemed steep so I have an import shop looking at the truck Thursday; he said roughly 1500 parts and labour with Aisin kit but wouldn't give quote until he'd seen the truck.

Question is for anyone in the area; where do you take your LC/LX for this job? Would prefer to have a Toyota specialist do it; although said import shop seems well reviewed. My personal mechanic is semi retired and said he would prefer not to touch it as he "hates doing timing belts" lol and as he's also a neighbor I'd prefer not to ask him. Thanks.

 

[Mike NXP]

I've had Toyota do my timing belt twice but would prefer an indy mechanic if they are familiar with the 2UZ motor. You mentioned your guy needs to look at it first which doesn't show much confidence in the platform but if they are good mechanics there isn't anything to weird going on for this repair ( maybe the VVTI motors have a few extra steps? look into that if you have VVTI )

Toyota in theory should be following procedure exactly but it's so hit or miss now a days. Request to have a mechanic who has done this repair doing the work. You've got to imagine they've seen and done hundreds of timing belts on the 2UZ motor by now. Plus if they screw it up they usually take care of any mistakes.

** Also, toyota doesn't always quote you for the timing belt tensioner pulley and other little parts that you should get at 'while you're in there' so make sure you get it all done
** Fan bracket is a great part to replace if you are doing all this work. They definitely get weak over time, wobble, and have been known to let lose if you don't catch it first.
** Do some research on the forums and make a list of some other little things to keep an eye on if someone is going in there. for example, the little wires near the oil filter. I think there is a little 'trap door' that needs to be put back in place near the V of the engine, and just other little things that some people overlook.

How many miles on your rig?

 

[Foehammer]

325xxx kms; roughly 200k miles. 2000 so no VVTI.

He mentioned that they have done timing belts before I'm assuming he wanted to see it first in case it's overly rusty or has other issues he doesn't want to deal with. I did mention I wanted the full aisin kit with tensioner and wp. Also contemplating getting the thermostat done while it's apart. And yes the fan bracket should be done as well, thanks for reminding me!

 

[Mike NXP]

325xxx kms; roughly 200k miles. 2000 so no VVTI.

He mentioned that they have done timing belts before I'm assuming he wanted to see it first in case it's overly rusty or has other issues he doesn't want to deal with. I did mention I wanted the full aisin kit with tensioner and wp. Also contemplating getting the thermostat done while it's apart. And yes the fan bracket should be done as well, thanks for reminding me!

Right on, I believe the non-vvti makes life a little easier. yeah for sure definitely do your thermostat and radiator cap since they're cheap enough and easy to get to during t-belt

Theres a video from OTRAM on youtube with details , might be worth scanning through

 

[Foehammer]

Thanks for the info bro.

 

[Mike NXP]

I wonder what this thing is, part of the tensioner maybe?

 

[PrinceJabar]

I wonder what this thing is, part of the tensioner maybe?
View attachment 3728707

Yup- That’s the timing belt tensioner.

 

[YardPig]

Mechanic probably wanted to see the vehicle first to judge the rust. Some jobs are smooth on the clean ones and a nightmare on the rusty ones!