This is a step-by-step installation video for the first generation Toyota Rav4 (3SFE engine) — timing belt, water pump, crankshaft seal, camshaft seal, oil pump housing gasket, oil pump shaft seal, tensioner pulley and idler pulley.
The crankshaft bolt was a bear on this one! But I’ll show a way to remove it.
Check the Pinned Comment for Timestamps so you can skip ahead or go-back to the parts you need to review.
You’ll need a full day, working solo but efficiently with no surprises, to complete this job. Plan for a couple of days if you haven’t done this job before, or if you think you’ll have some surprises (ie, have to order unexpected parts, etc).
Please comment with your tips! Good luck with your repair.
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Timestamps are below, but first — Important: I forgot to mention it 01:33:19, but REMEMBER TO RE-INSTALL the BELT GUIDE WASHER. You'll see the belt guide in place at 01:33:19, but I forgot to give verbal instructions to install it. It just slides on, same as how you removed it. Install the guide washer AFTER installing the belt, with the washer's cupped side facing OUT (guide washer is shown and explained at 46:40).
Use these Timestamps to quickly find what you are looking for:
03:00 Work Begins.
03:30 Remove battery & tray
04:10 Remove Spark Plugs Wires and Spark Plugs
06:01 Remove Power Steering Reservoir
06:16 Remove Alternator
09:18 Remove Alternator Bracket
09:59 Drain Coolant
10:58 Remove Front Tire
11:12 Lift Points
12:53 Remove Power Steering Belt
14:18 Remove Harmonic Balancer Bolt
20:20 Remove Harmonic Balancer
23:35 Location of Crankshaft Position Sensor
23:45 Remove Engine Insulator and Engine Mount Bracket
35:47 Remove Top Timing Cover
37:25 Alignment of Timing Marks before Removal of Lower Timing Cover
42:27 Remove Lower Timing Cover
43:46 Remove Old Timing Belt
45:05 Remove Tensioner Pulley
46:01 Remove Idler Pulley
46:40 Explaining the Belt Guide Washer — this washer goes OVER the bell (there is no belt in place when I explain the washer)
47:00 Remove Crankshaft Sprocket
47:39 Crankshaft Position Sensor
48:01 Remove Oil Pump Drive Housing
49:07 Remove Oil Pump Sprocket
49:38 Remove and Replace Oil Pump Seal & Gasket
53:23 Install Oil Pump Drive Housing
55:58 Remove Camshaft Sprocket
58:14 Remove Camshaft Seal
1:01:33 Install Camshaft Seal
1:05:21 Install Camshaft Sprocket
1:06:34 Remove Crankshaft Seal
1:08:31 Install Crankshaft Seal
1:10:30 Remove Water Pump (begins)
1:11:42 Remove Thermostat
1:16:17 Install Water Pump
1:21:14 Install Thermostat
1:21:53 Install Tensioner Pulley
1:23:42 Install Idler Pulley
1:24:05 Replace Timing Cover Gasket
1:24:40 Install New Timing Belt
**Important: I forgot to mention it, but you’ll see the guide washer installed at 1:33:19. Make sure you install the guide washer AFTER installing the belt, but BEFORE installing the Lower Timing Cover **
1:33:19 Install Lower Timing Cover – Remember to install Guide Washer first
1:33:42 Install Harmonic Balancer
1:33:50 Belt Tensioning Procedure (1 and 7/8 Turn Method)
1:34:35 Torque down Tensioner Pulley Bolt (at 45 BTDC)
1:34:54 Install Top Timing Cover and Engine Mount Bracket
1:37:58 Install Engine Insulator (Mount)
1:44:28 Install Harmonic Balancer Bolt
1:46:01 ABS Bracket Install
1:46:50 Reposition Power Steering Reservoir
1:46:57 Install Alternator Bracket
1:47:53 Install Alternator
1:49:24 Install Power Steering Belt
1:51:58 Install Alternator Belt
1:55:09 Install Fender Liner & Wheel
1:55:22 Install Spark Plugs and Wires
1:57:29 Install Battery Tray and Battery
1:58:25 Refill Coolant
2:01:14 Bleed Coolant
Good luck! Please post any tips or questions.
Thank you for the great video! The step by step instructions helped be replace the water pump housing, thermostat and belt. I just finished the job. I couldn't have done it without your help!
Finally I figured out how to leave you a comment! Yeah! I am not computer literate. Thank you so much for your great video! I was given (yeah!) a 2000 Toyota Rav 4. It is close to needing a timing belt. It is so nice to know it is not an interference engine but I like to avoid getting stuck on the road. I live in the country and the next major city is an hour freeway drive away. Your video, as a woman also, is detailed enough I think I can change it. Years ago I changed the timing gear on my 1979 Chevy Malibu but those cars are so easy. No sensors, lots of room to work, totally different experience. That was a timing chain and the silicon end of the gear teeth they put on to make it quieter when it ran sheared off the gear and my belt came off. That wasn't an interference motor either. I can't thank you enough! This car is 6 years younger than the car I have been driving and it is still not totally computer controlled so I think I can work on it. That is because you do such a good job on your video explaining why things are done a certain way. I really like that about your video. I also want to do it right and your video shows how to do it right without getting too carried away. I like all the bolt call outs and the torque specs you give. I don't even have an owner's manual for this car. I just got the keys, nothing in the glove box so I really appreciate all the pictures and manual repair shots you give. Also, the tool call outs are great too. I love having something that will help me do something without brute force. I had to ask my husband to break the bolts loose when I did my brakes and he just hates (like anyone tremendously busy would) being interrupted since he has a full-time job plus a small hobby farm to fill up his time. I can't thank you enough for doing that wonderful video and making my life much easier. I like doing my own work but I'm no mechanic. I love your hand made tools too! I have plenty of PVC pipe around here. Thanks for putting more details up about things missed in the video also. That, I think that is First Class, being able to even add on little things after the video was posted. I really appreciate your thoroughness. I hope your 1996 Toyota Rav 4 is doing great but if you need to make more fixes on it, I'll be happy to view them for my 2000 Rav 4!
Thank you so much what you have done this video. It was very helpful!
This video is gold, appreciate you took the time to show in detail, now my 98 rav 4 radiator have a very small leak near the hose on top, it would be great to know if it is possibleo remove the radiator without removing the condenser
Wish you have a video of how to replace the radiatior radiator on the gen 1 rav 4 as well. Great vid
This is best of the best timing belt replacement walkthrough!!! Specially those self made tools, very helpful! thanks a lot for all the details!
Brilliant ! . As other say , wish i had this video before i did vaious timing side jobs some time ago, spend a lot of time on the engine support back then 🙂 – Best video on all timing side repairs on youtube for sure. BTW i also did a clutch replacement back then with engine still in car , WHAT a task..! 🙂 .(it was a 4wd…) But succeeded . Enjoyed the video. Cheers Erik