MY Truck will not start. Mechanic said it was a timing belt issue. I would like to know what is, in summary, the cost of this. He's trying to charge me a arm and a leg

Sounds like a timing issue with the symptoms you gave. Have it checked by a good mechanic with good knowledge of your make. Also some of the after market programmers can create major concerns. Try returning everything to factory settings and see if all issues dissappear before going to a mechanic.

I know EXACTLY what your talking about... its the starter.. my truck did that, but i never fixed it.. i would always just turn the key on and off real quick and after 5-20 clicks it would start



TING!

Hmmmm. I'd have your mechanic check the timing marks on the crank and cam(s) The problem may lie in a simple loose wire/sensor connection, I'd go thru all of these in insure they're snug. If the engine ran well prior to the belt replace and now having issues I'd get it back to the mechanic and have him correct. And for my 2-cents at no extra charge to you.
I hope this may have helped,
Tom

80 bucks I would go to the backyard type of mechanic.. I know I know it might sound like jeesh these second hand people but at times like these you got to save every penny. just always stay watching him.. that way he will know not to pull sum hinky dinky poop

THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR IS LOCATED ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE HEAD. 2 BOLTS AND AN OVAL FLANGE. IT HAS A RED LOCK ON THE PLUG WHICH YOU JUST MOVE TO THE RIGHT TO RELEASE THE MAIN PLUG. BUT I dont know if thats your problem. the timing belt seems to fail on these cars prematurely. Dodge recomends 90,000 miles but many cars bend engine valves before this due to the timing belt. (around 83000-88000) miles. I would reccomend having someone look into this problem first. Also trying this yourself can be costly, simply because the timing belt MUST be installed properly and exactly. If this is not done the engine could be at risk causing expensive repairs. Ihave a friend who had the timing belt replaced by an individual and the i recieved it on a tow truck. Which it now cost them 1600.00 to repair. I have been a mechanic for 15 years. But i got smart and went back to college and npw i am a refrigeration technition. Just trying to help you out. any ? [email protected] i would be glad to help.

If the engine spins over very fast like it is not under any kind of pressure then the timing chain/belt has failed. There is a considerable amount of damage that can accrue when this happens. You may not be able to replace the chain/belt and repair the problem now. It may actually be cheaper to replace the motor now than repair the old one. So they may both be correct. Hope this helps. Good luck.

Starter turning slowly sounds like:

- bad starter, or
- bad connection to starter, or
- bad connection(s) on starter relay, or
- low charge on battery, and
- and maybe some others... but these are most likely

It sounds like to me your mechanic recommened you change your timing belt and water pump due to a maintance issue. If vehicle still runs good with old timing belt new belt wont change running. Cold weather and low cranking amps (poor battery) will cause starting problems.

Depending on the miles on the car the timing belt might also need changing but to get the car running just replace the water pump if that is the issue. Is there anyone local you can talk to about finding a good mechanic? If the guy is trying to make extra money off you you might see someone else. then again he may be trying to watch after you but statistics show that might not be the case.
good luck geting your car running and I totally understand your doubts about mechanics wanting to do more than needed.

Ok, I haven't worked on a toyota four runner but im sure its closely related to some domestic SUV's I have worked on, First go to any auto parts store and buy your own water pump, It cheaper and wont cost you as much, for the timing belt also get it yourself, but you will need someone to correct the timing for you unless you mark the original places or have an timing belt gun, but you will have to remove the Fan, and harmonic balancer most likely, Oh go to the auto parts store and get a Chilton's manual to your nehicle cause it will guide you through the steps better than I can, You may have to drop the radiator, There possibly might be a timing belt cover so remove it and the timing belt itself cause the water pump is directly behing the belt, replace pump and timing belt,"also you will need a sealant for the water pump", then replace the parts you have taken off, For the hramonic balancer you will need a special tool to remove it so ask for it at your local Auto Parts store, I hope this is somewhat of help to you, Trying to make it as cost efeective as possible!!!