# Timing Belt and whole shebang

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/timing-belt-and-whole-shebang/24499>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** belts, maintenance, timing-belts\
**Created:** [January 6, 2009, 7:39pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/timing-belt-and-whole-shebang/24499 "2009-01-06T19:39:05Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![jenlanu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/22d042/32.png) [@jenlanu](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jenlanu)\
**Post date:** [January 6, 2009, 7:39pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/timing-belt-and-whole-shebang/24499/1 "2009-01-06T19:39:05Z")

</div>

Hi. I have a 1999 Toyota 4Runner, and it’s time to replace the timing belt. The water pump also has a leak, so that’s on the list too. My question is this: One mechanic I talked to recommended also replacing the other components that touch the timing belt. I apologize that I can’t recall what they’re called, but he showed me a picture and he was referring to the wheels (pullies? gears?) which act as tensioners on the belt. What’s the consensus? Is he up-selling me or is this a good idea since we’re going to have the whole thing opened up already?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![rocketman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/eada6e/32.png) [@rocketman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/rocketman)\
**Post date:** [January 6, 2009, 7:50pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/timing-belt-and-whole-shebang/24499/2 "2009-01-06T19:50:03Z")

</div>

It’s not such a bad idea to change those parts which are related to the timing belt . . . the water pump . . . belt tensioner . . . springs and so forth . . . they won’t add much to the price and are part of the re-installation anyway. A new pulley? I can’t see how that would matter, but if you trust this mechanic . . . follow his advice. Rocketman

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![mcparadise](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mcparadise/32/32_2.png) [@mcparadise](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mcparadise)\
**Post date:** [January 6, 2009, 7:52pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/timing-belt-and-whole-shebang/24499/3 "2009-01-06T19:52:39Z")

</div>

I would go ahead and replace the tensioner along with the timing belt. Why gamble?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\
**Post date:** [January 6, 2009, 8:49pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/timing-belt-and-whole-shebang/24499/4 "2009-01-06T20:49:04Z")

</div>

I suggest replacing the tensioner also…As for the “gears”??? No…They don’t wear out. If this was a chain then I’d agree…but the belt isn’t going to cause any wear on the gears.

---

<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:** [January 6, 2009, 10:20pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/timing-belt-and-whole-shebang/24499/5 "2009-01-06T22:20:55Z")

</div>

Change them all!  
Do not be one of the people after a pully fails and takes out the water pump and other stuff that says I wish I would have replaced it all.

```
      DO IT ALL!!!
```