# Timing Belt 98 4 Runner

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/timing-belt-98-4-runner/31753>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [June 11, 2009, 8:21pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/timing-belt-98-4-runner/31753 "2009-06-11T20:21:02Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![bobschwarz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a8b319/32.png) [@bobschwarz](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bobschwarz)\
**Post date:** [June 11, 2009, 8:21pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/timing-belt-98-4-runner/31753/1 "2009-06-11T20:21:02Z")

</div>

I have a 1998 4 Runner that I bought new. I have taken good care of it, mostly in a garage, but not every night. Changed the oil and filter every 3,000 miles. Sometimes more often.  
  
 It has 38,000 miles. I know you advise changing the timing belt at 60,000, but am wondering if I should not do that now?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![wentwest](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/wentwest/32/6073_2.png) [@wentwest](https://community.cartalk.com/u/wentwest)\
**Post date:** [June 11, 2009, 8:38pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/timing-belt-98-4-runner/31753/2 "2009-06-11T20:38:29Z")

</div>

Yes, do it now. 10 years is pretty long, and you are worried about it. You know you will replace it sooner or later, so just do it, get it over with, and stop worrying.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![budd2049](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/77aa72/32.png) [@budd2049](https://community.cartalk.com/u/budd2049)\
**Post date:** [June 11, 2009, 8:41pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/timing-belt-98-4-runner/31753/3 "2009-06-11T20:41:50Z")

</div>

Timing belts have a mileage AND TIME interval for replacement that should be listed in the owner’s manual. I promise that it’s not 11 years, so get that belt changed as soon as possible. Rubber deteriorates with age as well as mileage.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Docnick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecae2f/32.png) [@Docnick](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Docnick)\
**Post date:** [June 11, 2009, 8:42pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/timing-belt-98-4-runner/31753/4 "2009-06-11T20:42:35Z")

</div>

Agree; all timing belt change schedules have mileage and elapsed time. You are long overdue at 11 years.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![hd72mm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/9fc29f/32.png) [@hd72mm](https://community.cartalk.com/u/hd72mm)\
**Post date:** [June 11, 2009, 11:16pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/timing-belt-98-4-runner/31753/5 "2009-06-11T23:16:29Z")

</div>

On 4cyl also do water pump and tensioner