Toyota Tacoma V6 3.4L Water pump repair

[Midnight]

So recently my truck decided it would be best to grace the land of this planet Earth with antifreeze. And wouldn't you know, it couldn't be a simple leak but instead the water pump has gone out. 

 

In my truck (and I'm making this sound simpler than it really is), the water pump is run by the timing belt. So I would need to take off the timing belt to replace the water pump and thermostat. Since there is a lot of labor involved and Murphy's law, I was going to replace the timing belt as well with the hydraulic tensioner. These all come in a kit, naturally, which is roughly $500. 

 

My question is: As a noob to car repairs (meaning I normally don't do anything extensive) would it be wise to replace the timing belt myself? The worry is lining up the two cam shafts and crakshaft with the belt. If I do mess this up, I was told the care wouldnt start. Does that mean start until the belt is realigned correctly or never start ever again?

 

I ask this because the labor it going to cost just as much as the parts and money is super tight.

 

TIA

[Raskin]

Good question..is it due for timing belt soon? As far as design...is this interference setup..meaning valve goes and meets piston (major fail) if not on proper alignment..i would youtube to see if someone has done..I'm like you ..mostly a bolt on guy..I would mark pulleys positions and take lots of pictures...all input I have..good luck..anyone else?

[OnionKnight]

Just watched a video of it. It is an honest to god a cock sucker to a fix just to get to the water pump. On a scale from one to ten I would give this a 7 . Literally. I didn't know they actually ran the water pump with the timing belt (who the heck does that ! Well some diesels did in the past...stupid bastards). Also V-belts (most manufacturers got rid of it once the late 80's, early 90's arrived). It is a lot of patience to do this.

 

 

I honestly don't like scaring people but doing a timing belt isn't bad if you are not rushed and take it easy. But if you don't make sure you mark pulley positions and pictures of everything,  the worst case scenario is that your piston will slap your valve and crush it scaring the cylinder and the head....pretty much you will need a new engine.

 

My best suggestion is if you have never done anything to your car before, bring it to a dealership.

 

If you are somewhat mechanically inclined but you can do it. It is easier with a friend which is my advice. Get a manual from the library (they might have an alldata login where they actually help you with a step by step process and proper torque specs for all the accessories). Also lastly don't use a haynes manual (guys in school would tell us of haynes horror stories).

 

I remember my dad gave me a call that he couldn't get his belt off his 2006 honda civic and used a breaker bar on the tensioner and slipped chipping the corner of his headlight. He was using a haynes manual when I came over. The book said "turn the tensioner counter clockwise" and I was like "did you ever try going clockwise? Oh look the belt came off lol".

[Masa_1964]

LoL... like istructions for using rubber... lubber... what ever...are we on that level? Need instructions on basic things?

[Raskin]

That has to be the least fun bolts on yes...

[Midnight]

Thanks guys for the help. Funny thing is I am using a Haynes manual. I looked online and watched many YouTube videos about the replacement. All in all I traded in the truck and bought a new care. It wasn't worth my time or money, and frankly the amount of money and repairs that I have put on the vehicle in the past year already surpassed the Kelly Blue Book value of the car. But I really appreciate the comments and posts.

[Raskin]

Yeah..sometimes time to let it go..glad to hear you got a ride now ..