Hi all. I've got a 1993 V6 with the 3VZ-FE engine with a broken timing belt.
I've got a few questions about doing this job.

Can you use the old starter trick to loosen the harmonic balancer? (laying a breaker-bar wrench and socket onto the frame, and tapping the starter to break the bolt loose)

Once the bolt is out, does the HB easily remove, or do you need to coax it along with a puller?

As far as changing out the belt, how about the the other stuff in there? I will carefully inspect the idler pulley, and if it's not perfect, I'll change it. I'll most likely change out the water pump while I'm in there. How about the belt tensioner, do they tend to go bad?

This car has only 50,000 true original miles and the original timing belt, it broke from age not from wear.

Are the cam seals a problem in this engine? The front Crankshaft seal? There's no leaking right now from any of these seals. I guess "if it ain't broke don't fix it" might apply? Or should I change them?

thanks

 

I reccomend changing the water pump, crank seal and cam seals while this is apart. I'm not sure how difficult it would be to get everything off, its different with almost every vehicle taking corrosion etc. Water pumps are USUALLY the culperate for failed timing belts in Toyotas so its a good idea to change it.
As far as getting the harmonic balancer off, I'm not familiar with that engine, however I never recommend using the breaker-bar trick its just not safe for you or teh vehicle.. Send me an email, maybe I can help you.. See below link.