Engine drive belt (CAM BELT) replacement

[ThuMentaliss]

Members might be interested to know my experience in asserting conformation if the drive belt on my P.U.T.A  3.0Ltr  Alphard has had its drive belt changed. So the issue is the stickers that the Japanese Technicians stick on the bonnet underside confirms the date and mileage they changed the belt, problem is it's in Japanese dialogue so does anyone know a translator?

 And what I've found during this journey of discovery is that every Technician/Garage services who I had spoken to declined to take this job on due mainly to is complexity and lack of knowledge of the procedure of work, So lovely looking vehicle drives nice cheap to purchase,..but anyone considering purchasing may be alarmed about the issues of very poor technical support,  Costly repairs, complete lack of vehicle customising parts (if that's your thing) poor fuel consumption.. I think I will go back to a VW or a Ford😔☹️

[Rojie]

1 hour ago, ThuMentaliss said:

Members might be interested to know my experience in asserting conformation if the drive belt on my P.U.T.A  3.0Ltr  Alphard has had its drive belt changed. So the issue is the stickers that the Japanese Technicians stick on the bonnet underside confirms the date and mileage they changed the belt, problem is it's in Japanese dialogue so does anyone know a translator?

 And what I've found during this journey of discovery is that every Technician/Garage services who I had spoken to declined to take this job on due mainly to is complexity and lack of knowledge of the procedure of work, So lovely looking vehicle drives nice cheap to purchase,..but anyone considering purchasing may be alarmed about the issues of very poor technical support,  Costly repairs, complete lack of vehicle customising parts (if that's your thing) poor fuel consumption.. I think I will go back to a VW or a Ford😔☹️

 

What a shame, but understandable.

 

However, there is an ever increasing thread on this forum listing where members can get their vehicles serviced.

 

As Larry points out, locating servicing may not be straightforward, but members should ask their local Toyota Official dealer.

 

Most will not, as Larry highlights, work on your vehicle, but some will, so it's worth a phone call.

 

Accordingly, it is advisable, before purchase, to ensure you have a source for servicing.

 

Buyers should also establish whether the selling dealer has on site servicing facilities. Many do not.

That may be an important point to consider before the purchase decision is made.

[stopgapcat]

Am I correct that you mean cam belt where you refer to drive belt?

 

If so, my local garage says it's the same engine as the Camry. They now have 5 Alphards on their books, so they 'know their stuff'. If you are anywhere near Derby, I would highly recommend them - CK Automotive.

 

Thanks for the info about the badge under the bonnet - will have a look later. Have you tried an online translation tool?

 

As for fuel economy, following a full service, our 3.0 litre managed 30mpg on a long run recently - I suggest that isn't bad for such a big car. And there seems to be no issue with Low Emission Zones (I haven't checked London, but the others are all fine). So I don't feel any need to go back to a 'dirty diesel'!

[Arthur]

That’s why its worth the time and trouble to research the importers and converters before buying. We got a 2007 3.0 AWD with only 15k miles on the clock and had the cambelt and water pump changed at the same time as conversion to a campervan. Calder Campers are more than 250 miles away from our home and we visited 3 times in all to oversee the purchase/conversion but think the effort was worthwhile.

[New Girl]

My local garage is happy to service mine. Have done for the past two years.As they pointed out it is very similar to a Camry 

[Mickw]

On 6/30/2023 at 10:56 AM, ThuMentaliss said:

Members might be interested to know my experience in asserting conformation if the drive belt on my P.U.T.A  3.0Ltr  Alphard has had its drive belt changed. So the issue is the stickers that the Japanese Technicians stick on the bonnet underside confirms the date and mileage they changed the belt, problem is it's in Japanese dialogue so does anyone know a translator?

 And what I've found during this journey of discovery is that every Technician/Garage services who I had spoken to declined to take this job on due mainly to is complexity and lack of knowledge of the procedure of work, So lovely looking vehicle drives nice cheap to purchase,..but anyone considering purchasing may be alarmed about the issues of very poor technical support,  Costly repairs, complete lack of vehicle customising parts (if that's your thing) poor fuel consumption.. I think I will go back to a VW or a Ford😔☹️

Hi just had mine done,cam belt water pump and all other belts at Steve binghams garage in Chesterfield Derbyshire old Whittington, did my brake discs and pads to,so long as I provide parts usually from jap spares on Web in England, next day delivery if possible, he said it was a big job ,had spark plugs done too,spark plugs on rear of engine mean removing inlet manifold, part called a gasket air surge gasket, had problems with that they had one left out of a set,replacing rocker cover gaskets too as may start weeping around 100000 miles ,most any car may ,doing rear radius bushes too,I think the timing belts 1st change is at around 50000 miles,the Japanese are quite good at servicing there cars if it says it do it,so assuming it had been replaced left it till now 94000 miles,having talked to few mechanics regarding replacing belts have said that parts and belts are much better now and all should manage 100,000 to 150,000 miles regardless of what dealers say ,after all dealers like to make money, hope that helps anyone thinking of doing there own on drive or road ,I wouldn't risk it there's one or two nuts that can be quite tight and access really not good,oh and there's a few free apps that translate Japanese to most languages out there too ,hope that helps anyone needing a timing belt change, nearly forgot my mechanic had a learning experience too,didn't know inlet manifold needed removal till he found they are unaccessible right at back underneath 

Edited July 1, 2023 by Mickw
Additional information

[ThuMentaliss]

 High Michael,  I think the real issue here is that potential buyers think they're getting a good deal (as I did) but in reality the Alphard is a cash cow can I ask you a realistic question ? How much have you spent on your Alphard since owning it, for instance I have spent well over £16800 which included a 'North Star' conversion plus maintenance costs over the last 28 months..hardly a good return for a vehicle that's eighteen years old the trouble is I now find myself constantly questioning why didn't I do more research into the Alphard probably because like everyone else its looks are quite different and it drives nice, but the bottom line is in my opinion that there are much better vehicles that convert to a camper van

[SupaDave]

I had my belt/chain done at Gastech in Warrington, Alphard specialists. Asked them to do the water pump at the same time & they said no need - they are pretty bullet proof on the Alphard. My local mechanic also did my rocker cover gaskets & he does my servicing. Had a Prins LPG conversion done when I got it (just before the fuel prices went silly) and I now pay 70p a litre for lpg. Got my money back in about 18 months as I do a few road trips to the Alps. I can't recommend the Alphards enough, they're awesome things. Then again you could always pay through the nose for a high milage VW like the rest of the sheep. 

[Rojie]

7 hours ago, Mickw said:

Hi just had mine done,cam belt water pump and all other belts at Steve binghams garage in Chesterfield Derbyshire old Whittington, did my brake discs and pads to,so long as I provide parts usually from jap spares on Web in England, next day delivery if possible, he said it was a big job ,had spark plugs done too,spark plugs on rear of engine mean removing inlet manifold, part called a gasket air surge gasket, had problems with that they had one left out of a set,replacing rocker cover gaskets too as may start weeping around 1000000 miles ,most any car may ,doing rear radius bushes too,I think the timing belts 1st change is at around 50000 miles,the Japanese are quite good at servicing there cars if it says it do it,so assuming it had been replaced left it till now 94000 miles,having talked to few mechanics regarding replacing belts have said that parts and belts are much better now and all should manage 100,000 to 150,000 miles regardless of what dealers say ,after all dealers like to make money, hope that helps anyone thinking of doing there own on drive or road ,I wouldn't risk it there's one or two nuts that can be quite tight and access really not good,oh and there's a few free apps that translate Japanese to most languages out there too ,hope that helps anyone needing a timing belt change, nearly forgot my mechanic had a learning experience too,didn't know inlet manifold needed removal till he found they are unaccessible right at back underneath 

 

WOW, a million miles. Hope mine lasts that long !

[John Harrison]

On 6/30/2023 at 10:56 AM, ThuMentaliss said:

Members might be interested to know my experience in asserting conformation if the drive belt on my P.U.T.A  3.0Ltr  Alphard has had its drive belt changed. So the issue is the stickers that the Japanese Technicians stick on the bonnet underside confirms the date and mileage they changed the belt, problem is it's in Japanese dialogue so does anyone know a translator?

 And what I've found during this journey of discovery is that every Technician/Garage services who I had spoken to declined to take this job on due mainly to is complexity and lack of knowledge of the procedure of work, So lovely looking vehicle drives nice cheap to purchase,..but anyone considering purchasing may be alarmed about the issues of very poor technical support,  Costly repairs, complete lack of vehicle customising parts (if that's your thing) poor fuel consumption.. I think I will go back to a VW or a Ford😔☹️

Hi. There is a translator on Google thst let's you use the camera on your phone, and instantly translates for you.

It's a bit 'Chinglish'; the odd word can be gibberish, but on the whole it is just point and read!

Good luck

 

John Harrison. Wallasey 

2008 Vellfire 2.4