Symptoms
Due at around 90,000 miles or with unknown history; a cracked belt, misfires or rough running. It's non-interference, so failure usually strands you rather than wrecking the engine.
The fix, step by step
- Drain coolant, remove the fan, radiator and drive belts, then the upper timing cover.
- Hold the crank pulley and break the bolt, pull the pulley, remove the lower cover and set #1 to TDC.
- Remove tensioner, belt and idlers; replace cam and crank seals, water pump and thermostat (AdventureTaco fits the thermostat jiggle valve at 6 o'clock).
- Fit idlers and belt, then the hydraulic tensioner, rotate two full turns to confirm marks, torque the crank bolt to 217 ft-lb, refill and bleed.
Tools & part numbers
- Harmonic damper holder
- OTC 4518 puller
- cam pulley holder
- seal puller
- Toyota belt 13568-69095
- tensioner 13540-62021
- Aisin water pump 16100-69398-83
- new crank bolt 90119-16006
Where to buy the parts
Timing belt (Toyota 13568-69095)ToyotaPartsDeal (Toyota OEM) ↗Amazon ↗
Water pump (Aisin OE) (Toyota 16100-69398-83)ToyotaPartsDeal (Toyota OEM) ↗Amazon ↗
Hydraulic belt tensioner (Toyota 13540-62021)ToyotaPartsDeal (Toyota OEM) ↗Amazon ↗
Crankshaft pulley bolt (single-use) (Toyota 90119-16006)ToyotaPartsDeal (Toyota OEM) ↗Amazon ↗
Hunting a used or discontinued part? Search eBay Motors for Toyota 4Runner 3rd Gen parts →
Rated for a competent home mechanic with a decent tool kit. Confirm torque figures, fluids and procedures against the factory service manual for your VIN, support the truck on stands rather than a jack, and work at your own risk (disclaimer). Some parts links are affiliate links, which pay us a small commission at no cost to you.