Took my 2002 into the dealer for the ball joint recall. It has 65K on it and they say its time for the timing belt and I gave them an OK on that (fan belts also need doing and they said while the fan belts are off I might as well do the timing belt). They will also replace front crank seal. So far sounds OK. Also having them do the plugs - thing here is that they say my motor calls for "regular plugs - changed every 30k." I am surprised that it didn't come with platinum. They made it sound like swapping with platinum would cause problems. Thoughts?

I am not sure about the 2002 but the 2000 (V6) doesn't need a timing belt until it gets 90,000 on it. Sounds like the dealer wants to make some money off of you. Check it out to be sure that it is 65,000 for the timing belt on your 2002. I am not sure about the plugs but someone here will tell you. Good luck.

On the plugs the general consensous on plugs is stick with the OEM Denso or NGK Plug. Supposedly the ignition system isn't setup to run platinums but it doesn't really matter the plugs aren't hard to change and for 2.00 a plug it takes awhile to add up to what the dealer wants for platinums. I'd just change them with the OEM plugs. As for the timing belt I'd wait till 90k.

Platinums are of a higher temperature scale. I've tried 'em once; didn't like 'em, and you could see the heat effect on the electrodes. Been with NGK's from there on out.

Well - after a $900 investment I have it back. They did the fan belts, plugs, timing belt, water pump (which they said was leaking), crank seal, cleaned the TB and set the idle - in addition to the ball joint recall. I realize that its a little early for the timing belt but while they had it apart (you know the rest). Something like brakes I would tackle myself but not stuff like this. Anyhow it fires right up, idles smoother, and seat-of-the-pants feel is better. I don't mind the cost too much as I plan to keep this thing for eternity. Hopefully some suspension work in the Spring (NOT at the stealer!).

<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" /> At least they didn't half-fast the T'belt. Read the 3.4 timing belt article in our Toyota maintenance section (link above in header). You'll appreciate the work a bit more. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />