bubbadog

I am planning on replacing my timing belt/water pump in the next few weeks. I am going to use the Aisin kit from Rock Auto. While I have everything apart, I thought it would be a good idea to replace the serpentine belt, idler pulley, and belt tensioner. What brand do you recommend? OEM? Gates? Dayco?
Thanks

bradland

The NSK idler at RA is prob the closest you'll get to OE- https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...t=6956&jsn=390

As for the tensioner assembly, IIRC Dayco is the OE manufacturer, also available at RA. That doesn't necessarily mean you'll get the same quality part as was installed at the factory though. Gates products have been known to be built with quality KOYO bearings, but again no guarantee...

Striker223

OE for the tensioner and I would press a new Koyo bearing into the idler, that's what I decided to do on mine.

largenoogs

AISIN TKT021

Literally exactly the OEM kit as far as I can tell. Nothing was made in China that I could find. Same belt as OEM. Same water pump as OEM.

ls430w140

Aisin kit is great, don’t get me wrong, it’s better than any other aftermarket. But I would characterize it as the product that may match the quality of OEM in some cases.

largenoogs

And yet the timing belt and water pump had the exact same markings as my original... and the pulleys were all excellent brands NOT made in China. Nothing was made in China. You're fine with the AISIN kit.

As for the serp belt pulleys, I used a brand that were made in Korea. I don't remember which. I just remember not seeing China and being happy with it.

intermec

I wish I can DIY this job. One thing I still not sure is when you put the timing belt in, how to line up everything correctly. Also, are there any specific tools that are needed to get this job done? I do have many hand tools for brake job

largenoogs

I think I used this video to help. Different engine but same parts attached to the front:
Lining up the timing isn't hard. Taking off all the crap to get to the timing is a PITA.

Nick

largenoogs

Or maybe it was this one:

StanVanDam

Another vote for AISIN TKT021 (https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...90529&jsn=1216). It is definitely better than all other aftermarkets. Toyota dealership had no problem with me supplying this kit for them to do the job. Buy from a reputable parts supplier like RockAuto, otherwise you may end up with a counterfeit kit is marked similarly to authentic AISIN but with poorer quality parts.