Daughter away at college timing belt falling apart, advise please

[Retriever]

Originally Posted by UpstateJohn

Actually, the force applied to the top of the piston(s) by exploding gases drives the piston down, which rotates the crankshaft.

Okay, then allow me to restate it as the crankshaft controls/regulates the movement of the pistons.
I think that this is a more accurate way to express the thought.

In any event, a timing belt/chain doesn't serve that function.

[trlhiker]

Originally Posted by ellysbelly

Thank you SO much for this advice-- as it turns out my '04 Toyota Sequoia needs a new timing belt within the next 5K miles and I just called my local Toyota dealership and it was less HALF the price of my local (and usually reasonably priced!) mechanic. $429 vs $950-- thanks, again!

You may want to find out what is included in that $429 vs $950. For the $429, are they also changing the water pump and all drive belts? How about the radiator hoses? I have never seen a dealership be that much cheaper. Something is up with that price.

[ellysbelly]

Originally Posted by trlhiker

You may want to find out what is included in that $429 vs $950. For the $429, are they also changing the water pump and all drive belts? How about the radiator hoses? I have never seen a dealership be that much cheaper. Something is up with that price.

The outer drive belt would be an additional $79. Does not include the water pump, but they will inspect it. Not sure on the radiator hoses. This particular dealership is also cheaper on fixing the swaylink and just a touch more on a brake job. They're also a good bit cheaper than any other Toyota dealership around here.