Timing belt change

[svxman]

Hi everyone, new member here and just wanted to say hello and ask a couple of questions regarding a timing belt change of a 2003 Tundra (V6 2wd). I was quite impressed with the volume of information available, however the majority of timing belt removal instructions pertained to the V8 Tundra, are there significant differences between the V8 and V6 models (regarding timing belt removal instructions?). I have about 78k miles and was thinking it was time to do it, i know its recommended at 90k but i do a lot of heavy towing.

I've never actually changed the timing belt on a truck before (most of my experience has been with subaru's), but when the dealer quoted me $1500 for a timing belt replacement that has more than motivated me to tackle the job myself!

Anyway, look forward to your comments. Thanks in advance, Chris

[Tennesseestorm]

First of all, $1500 is an utterly ridiculous price for this, especially on a V6 engine. I would not pay anyone over $550. Even our dealer is not going to charge me over $550 for changing it in my 2000 V8 Tundra and that includes the water pump.

Also, @ 78K, you should be fine. Not only are you still at relatively low miles, but the 3.4L is a non-interference engine (so I have been told and read at countless sites), so if it does break, its as easy as installing a new one... no engine damage will occur.

Personally, if I had a 3.4L V6 Tundra, I would not change the belt until it broke, unless I had to take it on a long trip somewhere and wanted to make sure it would not break down, or at least wait until 150K. I know someone that had a T100, with the 3.4K and the belt did not snap until 190K. Put on a new belt and all was fine. This is one reason I wish that my Tundra was a V6 instead of a V8, because the V8 is a "interference" engine... if it breaks- then engine damage and I have 103K on my original belt, so its like I am walking on broken glass, but I cannot justify spending $550 on something that I cannot even see.... thats why it is so hard, but I know I need to get it done soon. I will probably before it hits 110K.

Good luck.

[m&m1951]

I agree. I just recently traded in my 97 T-100 w/ 100k (same 3.4L ?)and had the belt checked every spring. Last checkup was the same as the previous ones. Belt looked good.
almost forgot. I believe my local MrT charges about $200 for this job, plus the belt charge.

[svxman]

hey guys thanks for the replies! Yeah I couldn't believe the price quote and the scary part is that these were the averages of multiple quotes! They said that it was so expensive because they had to reseal the camshaft, crankshaft, and everything else in the front of the engine. I've done a timing belt/water pump change on my subaru and know for a fact you don't need to change the seals at the same time, so i figured these shops were just trying to upsell whatever they could. Again thanks for the reply and i am a bit more confident in tackling this job myself now knowing that it is in fact a non-interference engine!

[Tennesseestorm]

Excellent. I do not think with that mileage that those seals would need to be replaced at this time... perhaps at the next change? I think your belt should be OK until at least 100K. If it were my truck (being a V6) I would not be in a hurry to change it, as it is a non-interference engine.

I think they are taking advantage.

Good luck.