Loadco

Is the 3.3 VVTI in the 2004 ES330 a Interference or Non-Interference engine?

cjs18

An online timing belt selector page (Gates) would indicate that 3.0 / 3.3 VVTi engine is not. To see an example of interference engine you can look at 2004 Lexus SC430 or LS430. Here's the link: http://www.gates.com/part_locator/

BoostedE21

I think all Lexus engines with VVT-i are interference engines.

cjs18

Could be that they are - can anyone confirm? Since I have an '06 ES that will eventually need a timing belt I was checking those out with various suppliers also as I was shopping for a new belt for my SC 430 a couple weeks ago. As I recall only one of the parts suppliers identified the 2004-2006 3.3 V6 as an interference engine, while the others did not, including Gates (see above).