Hose and Belt Replacements 2000 Toyota 4 Cyl

Flat four! I'm assuming that you mean in-line four and that your Tacoma didn't make a detour through the Subaru plant during assembly.

It really depends on condition. If the hoses are still flexible without any bulges or signs of cracking at the ends, and if the belts show no signs of glazing or cracking and no fibers showing, there's really no need to replace them.

That said, they are relatively inexpensive and a cautious driver might replace them "on spec" every, say, 60K miles or so.

I have 190K on my 95 Tacoma and am on belt set no 2, replaced at about

175K - only one looked bad but I replaced all three anyway; and on radiator hose set no 2, replaced when I replaced the radiator due to a cracked top tank at about 186K. Not that they needed replacing but they were a little on the stiff side and I figured it wasn't a bad idea as long as I was pulling them anyway.

-- Mike Harris Austin, TX

Take it from a gal that drives old cars, you can get service out of the car, but nothing 7 years old and 120,000 is going to be trouble free. That aside:

Water pump. I'd do belts and hoses. Drain the coolant and look what settles on the bottom of the pan. I'd be careful to look for two types of coolant. Too many well meaning people mix collant. Only sure fix is to drain, flush and refill yourself (I mean you or your mechanic). You could flush alone, and budget for the work if you need to. A shop will get you for $400 or so depending where you live and how I dress when I go in. By the 10 year point, swap the radiatior. The Tacoma should go a little longer than 7 years and 120k. Just remember, an overheated motor will be $3000. So you and your budget be your guide.

Watch the brakes Flush the brake lines, and I change pads early. Shocks are worn. Struts are expensive, Bilstein is even more. Older trucks have shocks on all 4, an easy change. Sometimes older is better.

Good little trucks.

So does the 2000 Tacoma, if he has 2WD and it's not a prerunner.

Good advice all around, tho'. I'm still on the original water pump but I replace coolant regularly. Brake fluid is good for about two years; no one ever tells you to change it. This is a good interval to replace fluids in the gearboxes as well and repack wheel bearings, if you have the old style tapered rollers. Take a few seconds to check your motor oil level before you start in the morning and change it regularly. Keep your battery terminals clean and save that warranty paperwork - they never seem to last as long as advertised. Keep an eye on tire pressures and tread wear as a blowout can ruin your whole day. Inspect or have inspected all suspension and steering parts for wear when you change your oil.

Luba, forgive a personal note but did you once live in Glendale, California?

-- Mike Harris harrisCUTwillys at grandecom dot net Austin, TX