Symptoms
None until it snaps. The 5VZ-FE is non-interference, so a broken belt strands you but shouldn't bend valves. Plan on about 90,000 miles.
The fix, step by step
- It's the same job as on a 3rd-gen 4Runner.
- Drain the coolant, remove the fan, shroud and drive belts, then the upper timing covers.
- Hold the crank pulley, break the bolt, pull the pulley and lower cover, and set cylinder 1 to TDC.
- Replace the belt, idlers, hydraulic tensioner, cam and crank seals, water pump and thermostat.
- Rotate the engine twice to confirm the marks, then torque the new crank bolt.
- The 4Runner part numbers below are the common ones, but check them against your Prado's frame number in an EPC.
Tools & part numbers
- Harmonic-balancer holder
- puller
- cam-pulley holder
- seal puller
- torque wrench
- new crank bolt
Where to buy the parts
Toyota timing belt 13568-69095 (5VZ-FE; confirm by frame number)ToyotaPartsDeal (OEM) ↗Amazon ↗
Toyota water pump 16100-69398-83 (5VZ-FE)ToyotaPartsDeal (OEM) ↗Amazon ↗
Toyota hydraulic belt tensioner 13540-62021ToyotaPartsDeal (OEM) ↗Amazon ↗
Toyota thermostat 90916-03075 (82 °C)ToyotaPartsDeal (OEM) ↗Amazon ↗
Hunting a used or discontinued part? Search eBay Motors for Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 90 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.