Cambelt 95 series

[Steve71 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Steve71]

Hi guys, i am sure this has been asked before but i am new here so excuse me if it has!

we have a 1999 3.4lt auto with 163ks on it. we have just bought it and although imaculate it doesnt have service books. i have changed the following:

plugs
coolant
air filter (K&N)
oil and filter
diff and transfer case oil
brake fluid

We are going to get Russells to service the transmission and we are alo going to do the cam belt. i have amade a few calls to get the job done ranging from $1100 at Toyota to $385 at a 4x4 mechanic on the Gold Coast. I have also been told that we should do the water pump as well as all the seals, tensioner and puleys at the same time. There is a fair difference in price and would like to hear others comments on what they think should be done. i am quite happy to do all the other items my self but car may not work if I did the belt!!

Cheers

Steve

[Bushbasher Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Bushbasher]

Re: Cambelt 95 series

I pulled everything out only to find I couldn't get the bottom crank pulley off, even with a rattle gun.

I took it to a 4x4 mechanic who got the pulley off by placing a big shifter bar on the pulley bolt, jamming the bar against the shop floor, and then turning the motor over. Better him than me!

The water pump is still ok after 185,000. I did get the radiator professionally pulled apart and cleaned (bottom seal was a bit dodgy).

The radiator looks like it might need to be replaced as the ally flutes are starting to corrode on the outside. It is 11 years old though.

Apart from a new clutch and SHOCKS this baby is still going strong. Not near as nice as my 2009 diesel 120 series but still a capable and comfy cruiser.

[humphrey Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close humphrey]

Re: Cambelt 95 series

Hi Steve,

I asked myself the same question 12 months ago regarding cam belt replacement. I found I comprehensive write up on a forum but I'm buggered if I can remember where. Not sure whether it was on pradopoint, www.lcool.org or else where. Sorry. I do recall there is some work and time involved, but no where near the 1100 bucks you were quoted. I would of thought the $385 for the time would be reasonable. As you've already done, oils and filters is a no brainer, do get the auto serviced as its probably never been done in its life. In relation to the water pump, if it aint broke, don't fix it.

[Steve71 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Steve71]

Re: Cambelt 95 series

Thanks guys,

$1,100 was from Toyota, $385 from a 4x4 mechanic on the Gold Coast. Might do the whole lot for the extra $300 I can get it done from a local mechanic might be woth while. I did have trouble when I changed the coolant, I dumped all the water from the block and radiator via the drain holes but after filling it all back up again couldnt get the bottom hose to get hot so there was obviously a block somewhere. Tried putting the car on all different angles still didnt work so ended up doing a very techinal and difficult process to fix it. Took it round the blocks a few times flogged the crap out of it and hey presto!! air lock gone!! have checked the water level a few times and it is perfect. Couldnt find any bleeder screws anywhere but that worked a treat anyway.

If someone could recommend a great 4x4 mechanic on the Gold Coast it would be appreciated

Can anyone give me some advise about greasing the front and rear hubs on these? are they easy to do? i am not a mechanic but these are really easy to work on, you can just about sit up underneath a bit different to my Commodore!!

I also have a clunk coming from the back of the car not sure what it is when we go over bumps. I am going to check the following:

Tow bar Tongue
Rear wheel - already put spacers between carier and wheel didnt fix
rear dicky seats.

Might pull them out one by one and see if that works!!

Thanks for the advise guys have only had the car for two weeks and loving it, still a bit to do but getting there!

Steve

[Landcrusher Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Landcrusher]

Re: Cambelt 95 series

Hi Steve - what makes you think that you can grease the hubs? Unless I'm missing something different about models in Oz, there is no provision to grease the hubs. OK, I suppose you could dismantle the wheel hubs and pack grease in there if you wanted, but it's not necessary. The props need a squeeze every so often. But the hubs are not like an 80 series.

C

[Steve71 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Steve71]

Re: Cambelt 95 series

Thanks Landcrusher, wasnt sure thought it would be worth doing but if they dont need to be done i will leave them alone!!

Steve

[Illegal Alien Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Illegal Alien]

Re: Cambelt 95 series

I was in same boat new wagon no service history did all the basics and tossed up the idea of doing cambelt and associated parts myself i.e tesioners, idlers, waterpump, seals etc.. while the front was all open. And like bushbasher found out the crank pulley bolt was a pain even for the yota mech with a tool specially for the job 4-5ft long.

At the end of the day might cost a bit more but leave out that $20 cam seal and murphy and his stupid law will make it leak, leave out the waterpump and murphy and his law will get ya.

So the parts alone were around $800 all genuine toyota. And not alot of variation in prices rung just about all the dealerships here in perth.

Could've gone aftermarket for around $500 but didn't want to kick myself later, out in the bush for being a cheap blarstard

Job done inc parts by toyota 1109.40 not alot of variation here too

Also rung a couple of 4x4 shops labour was around $300-500 not including parts

I think it's cheap insurance having it done. After inspecting the parts belt good, W/P on the way out, tensioner and idler buggered.

so now it's good for 150k and at the above price that works out to $0.007396 per km and no niggling "what if's" in the back of my mind.

[fishfinder Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close fishfinder]

Re: Cambelt 95 series

OK I am not knocking OE parts but if you go after market you can save $$$ for the same product Water Pump if you get NPW brand you will find they make them for Toyota , on the cam & crank seals NOK brand if not the same maybe better than OE and Dayco cam belt and pulley kit offers same warranty as OE and I have fitted many on different vehicles and never a problem , even spark plugs are Denso plugs and I am sure Coventry's stock them in there Motor Craft range cheaper than Toyota .The only service product I do get from Toyota is their coolant . So why pay extra for the Toyota packaging ?

[Bushbasher Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Bushbasher]

Re: Cambelt 95 series

Yes agree Fishfinder.

Sparkplugs from Coventrys half the price of Supercheap too. Shockies, belts, bulbs, same same. You can also sometimes get the OE Tojo stuff from Coventrys cheaper than from across the road at Tojo dealer.