difference between genII and genIII 3sgte timing idler? Options

[match220]

I'm looking over the parts reference thread here and trying to find out more info on the timing belt idler pulley and bracket. The gen2 3sgte one looks identical to the gen3 3sgte one from what I can tell. Are they interchangeable? The guy I got my bracket/idler from didn't send me the shoulder bolt, so I had a sleeve made for a regular bolt at a machine shop that would allow the pulley to pivot. I'm looking at the price of the genII idler pulley and bracket and they are under $25. BUT the parts reference list doesn't mention the idler pulley, and I can't find anywhere to buy a gen3 one. If the genII one is identical I'll gladly buy it. I tried looking at the part number on toyodiy but there isn't a page with the timing pulley. Interchangeable? I'm not asking about the pulley itself, just the bracket/shoulder bolt or the whole assembly really.

[dkdmonk]

Did you find your answer?

The idler I purchased had the older bracket so I just swapped it over to the gen3 bracket. It is probably no big deal the gen3 has a little leg that looks like in some other application Toyota may put a small spring on it.

I may have pictures somewhere if you need them, also I may have spare shoulder bolts.

[match220]

Did you find your answer?

The idler I purchased had the older bracket so I just swapped it over to the gen3 bracket. It is probably no big deal the gen3 has a little leg that looks like in some other application Toyota may put a small spring on it.

I may have pictures somewhere if you need them, also I may have spare shoulder bolts.

that's all I need is the shoulder bolt, and I don't want to buy a new idler assembly for a shoulder bolt. The sleeve I had made doesn't seem perfect and I worry about it sometimes. And the idler is easy to get, I got mine at the local napa by carrying in the old one.

[dkdmonk]

Jay,
I think when I bought my idler it came with the bracket and shoulder bolt.

Let me know what the cheapest way to send it to you and you can have it for the shipping charge.

PM an address and I'll get i out.

[match220]

Jay,
I think when I bought my idler it came with the bracket and shoulder bolt.

Let me know what the cheapest way to send it to you and you can have it for the shipping charge.

PM an address and I'll get i out.

cheapest to Hawaii is USPS parcel post 2 - 6 days. I'll pm you the details. I don't know where I bought this part from, if I got it new from lithia toyota or from someone who was parting out their engine and then I replaced the idler pulley. I bought parts from probably 20 parted out gen IIIs and the rest are new or from my old 5s.

This post has been edited by match220: Apr 21, 2013 - 9:47 PM

[rave2n]

Dunno if a Gen2 works, but a gen4 does.

[match220]

Dunno if a Gen2 works, but a gen4 does.

thanks..that's good to know, but I think it would be even harder to find a gen 4 idler assembly

[lagos]

I'm not sure about the 3rd gen, but on the 2nd gen both timing belt idler pulleys are exactly the same. One costs $40 and the other is $80. The only difference is that the more expensive one gives you a new bracket... a part that you don't even have to replace. So buying two of the cheaper pulleys is a good idea.