10_penn Posted February 17, 2010 Report Share Posted February 17, 2010 Just wondering if anyone can give me a quick run-down on how to change the timing belt in a 2004 Toyota Sienna with the 3.3L V6. It's just passed 90k miles and is due for its recommended replacement interval. I'm confident and experienced enough to do this in my own garage with my own tools, as I have done before. However, this is the first time working on any Toyota, and timing belt for that matter. My other car has a timing chain with colored links (06 Saturn ION Redline) and is quite easy to set time after you know where the colored links are supposed to go. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CRed05 Posted February 17, 2010 Report Share Posted February 17, 2010 I did one on an older 4Runner, and from that day on I promised myself to never work/own/touch/look at another toyota Hopefully it goes smoothly for you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
10_penn Posted February 17, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 17, 2010 thanks for giving me a clear thought to begin wiht the little 4banger in my saturn is easy as shit to work on. this DOHC 3.3L VVT V6 is starting to scare me... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ansonivan Posted February 17, 2010 Report Share Posted February 17, 2010 Alldata has the job listed at 5 hours, looks like a moderate pin in the ass. You have to pull the wiper transmission and rain tray but it's still tight quarters after doing that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SausageKing Posted February 18, 2010 Report Share Posted February 18, 2010 i've done a ton of these, they are not bad at all. just lining up the timing marks can be a lil tricky. behind the can there is a mark and on the cam sprocket/pulley there is a little hole you need to line the timing mark with. there should be a lil triangle mark down by the crank. this motor is a non interference motor. worst that can happen it's out of time. no CRUNCH! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ansonivan Posted February 18, 2010 Report Share Posted February 18, 2010 Using a dab of nail polish to mark the position of each pulley can save time looking for the factory timing marks, still a good idea to set the engine at tdc though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buckeye1647545503 Posted February 18, 2010 Report Share Posted February 18, 2010 The rear cam is tricky and can try your temper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Removed Posted February 18, 2010 Report Share Posted February 18, 2010 not much room on the rear cams...for sure a tight spot..i always use a mirrior and triple check the marks on them. and it can be a pita due to a lack of room Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buckeye1647545503 Posted February 18, 2010 Report Share Posted February 18, 2010 I forget rob, are these interferance? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave1647545494 Posted February 18, 2010 Report Share Posted February 18, 2010 non interference..... gotta get that back cam lined up perfect though or it pisses off the vvti and the check engine light will come on just take your time and line everything up right timing belts really not that hard to do Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Removed Posted February 18, 2010 Report Share Posted February 18, 2010 I forget rob, are these interferance? i dont think so, but i have had some say they are, and they are not, and i have seen some that are the other way around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
10_penn Posted February 18, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 18, 2010 thanks for all the replies guys. it'll prob be another month or so before i try this. why did toyota use a belt again? chains are so much better in every way... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buckeye1647545503 Posted February 18, 2010 Report Share Posted February 18, 2010 No belts are better in most every way Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Removed Posted February 18, 2010 Report Share Posted February 18, 2010 thanks for all the replies guys. it'll prob be another month or so before i try this. why did toyota use a belt again? chains are so much better in every way... till you do a chain set up. most have atleast 2 chains or 4! i got a gear,guide,chian set for a dodge 4.7 +$345 2 long as chains too there are 4 chains in ford mod motors http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y196/gearhead559/helleon%20turdanator/100_4421.jpg now what was you saying Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
10_penn Posted February 19, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 19, 2010 i understand what you are saying, gearhead, but if ford had decided to use belts instead of chains, you would have 4 belts, 2 of them long as fuck. belts are louder, require more maintenance (such as 90k mile interval i'm doing), and are more prone to slipping off the gears (this last one is my observation, not fact, as my buddy has had his slip off 3 times, no matter how tight the tensioner) it's probably just personal preference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Removed Posted February 19, 2010 Report Share Posted February 19, 2010 i understand what you are saying, gearhead, but if ford had decided to use belts instead of chains, you would have 4 belts, 2 of them long as fuck. belts are louder, require more maintenance (such as 90k mile interval i'm doing), and are more prone to slipping off the gears (this last one is my observation, not fact, as my buddy has had his slip off 3 times, no matter how tight the tensioner) it's probably just personal preference. no if ford did it , it would be one big belt. but ford choose's to use chains on it dohc stuff. and if your buddies belt keeps coming off, he is having a different issue. not a belt problem and belts are quieter btw, and cost less, and easier to maintain then chains Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
10_penn Posted February 19, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 19, 2010 i read that was the reason toyota went to chains in the 08-present V6 siennas was because it was quieter. let me find it... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
10_penn Posted February 19, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 19, 2010 one of my sources : http://www.samarins.com/reviews/sienna_04.html for the ones equipped with a belt, the regular replacement interval is 90k miles. chains don't have a replacement interval Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Removed Posted February 19, 2010 Report Share Posted February 19, 2010 one of my sources : http://www.samarins.com/reviews/sienna_04.html for the ones equipped with a belt, the regular replacement interval is 90k miles. chains don't have a replacement interval nice, but no auto maker put's a replacement interval on a chain so much for your source's Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
10_penn Posted February 19, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 19, 2010 that was part of my argument was that chains are better, there's not a replacement interval... i'm laughing more Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Removed Posted February 19, 2010 Report Share Posted February 19, 2010 but still, belt's are cheaper and quieter. price just the belt, and labor for a belt Sienna then price the chain and guide set , and labor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
10_penn Posted February 19, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 19, 2010 toyota wants just under 300 for doing it. but if it had a chain, as they do in the newer 3.5L V6's then we wouldn't be having this discussion, as there would be nothing to replace. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Removed Posted February 19, 2010 Report Share Posted February 19, 2010 no, we would have this discussion when the guides are breaking apart in another 50k(or so), and the chains are flapping in the wind, and pretty sure it would be over 1200 or so for toyota to do the chains. by then your 1/2 way to needing the next belt, and still way cheaper. and quieter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
10_penn Posted February 19, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 19, 2010 well... let's just agree to disagree on this one. thanks again for your help. i will probably start on this in the next month or so. btw, do you know if the 3.3 is an interference engine or no? some have said no, others have said it's the only interference-timing belt combo engine toyota had made Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buckeye1647545503 Posted February 19, 2010 Report Share Posted February 19, 2010 You think chains are quiter ... Must not have ever heard a 427 cammer.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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