From: desertphile@invalid-address.net   
      
   On Thu, 1 Jan 2009 21:40:13 -0500, "JCMc"    
   wrote:   
      
   > My 97 4Runner is now into the mid-192k mile range, and if I were to be   
   > following the original maintenance guidance, it would be time for a third   
   > timing belt replacement.  The local dealer who has always been very   
   > efficient with service of course recommends the belt be replaced again, and   
   > as is their typical advice, they also recommend replacing the water pump as   
   > part of this service.  This gets expensive, so I'm seeking advice and   
   > experience of others with their high mileage 4Runners from this time period.   
   >   
   > My 4Runner is SR5 v6 5sp manual transmission.  It has been very reliable,   
   > and frankly I like the size better than the new ones, and better than   
   > anything else on the market now.  If I were to trade, I'd probably go with a   
   > Tacoma, but economy and job situation recommend I drive my current 4Runner   
   > another year.  Is it worth the maintenance investment at this point to   
   > complete the timing belt service?  Water pump replacement? Any other   
   > maintenance item one might consider as vehicle approaches 200k?   
   >   
   > Thanks   
      
   Howdy! I do not like some of the advice you received already.   
   There's damn good reason for changing the timing belt and water   
   pump before they fail: towing costs and personal safety.   
      
   You said you might drive your 4Runner another year. That means the   
   math is simple: if one more year worth the $700 cost of repairs?   
   That's about $2 a day to drive your current vehicle another year,   
   in addition to fuel and insurance expenses. Only you can say if it   
   is worth it to you.   
      
   My 1992 Toyota pickup has more than 243,000 miles on it (most of   
   it desert travel) and it still runs great. (Power steering pump   
   leaks: I have a repair kit, but the pickup is buried in snow at   
   the moment and hot easy to work on.) Economics and the economy   
   being what they are, I would spend $700 or so on my pickup.   
      
      
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   Desertphile's Desert Soliloquy. WARNING: view with plenty of water   
   "Why aren't resurrections from the dead noteworthy?" -- Jim Rutz   
      
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