ky2002

My in-laws are the original owner of 2005 ES with 63K. They plan to trade it in within one year. It is due time for timing belt change. The question is - can they keep driving it for one more year with old timing belt? How likely it will be broken within one year?

I assume there are a lot of cushions for manufacturer's suggestions of maintaince. Does it mean we are safe with the old belt?

Please advise.

Wht95scort

It's usally 5 yrs or 90k for replacement. You at 10 yrs. im sure they will make it one more year considering the low miles they use the car a year.

crwys

Timing belts are due for a change at 90k. So I think you'll be fine

lostape45

I wouldn't say you are safe. The belt is twice as old as it's designed to be (in years). I'm guessing the car sits for long periods of time or is driven for very short trips due to the low mileage. That can have the worst effect on rubber parts, they get old and crack when sitting unused.

In the end it's completely up to the owner, I would suggest getting it replaced. A $750 timing belt job is much cheaper than a $2500 engine. Plus the rest of the car I'd imagine is in great shape, wouldn't want to ruin such a nice car.

ES300NZ

the 2005 engine is a vvti engine. That's an interference motor (the valves come lower than the top of the pistons).

if the timing belt were to break, it would likely damage the pistons, or the valves, or both. It is likely that the cost of replacing the worn (on time) belt is less than the engine.

Therefore, it makes good sense to replace the belt because doing so increases the value of the car, and decreases the risk of sudden engine failure which at present is a 60% at least risk. (perhaps higher).

~thats my 2c

Nelexus88

Another factor to consider is the added or diminished value when you go to sell the car. Having a recent timing belt service will make it easier to sell privately at a premium price. If you are just going to a dealer and trade it in on another Lexus then it may not be worth doing.

hypervish

+1 with those stating to replace the belt!

Natey2

Are you going to replace just the timing belt, or replace any/all of the following at the same time too?
Idler
Tensioner
Water pump
Thermostat

Just my data point:
I did the TB service in my 2000 ES 300 (90K miles) a couple of years ago. 2 months later, the car got totaled (not my fault). I only received the Blue Book value on the car from Insurance. Investment lost. Just saying..

The belt that was taken out was in very good condition and didn't look like it was going to break any time soon.

I recently did the TB service on my '05 LS430. Belt was in excellent condition too.

Is there anyone here who actually had a broken belt under 150K miles?

OceanView

Those are good points.
I too had my car totalled by the insurance company recently and I didn't get my money for routine maintenance items.
I've gone as much as 120K between timing belt changes but the car had a non-interference engine so there would be no issue if the belt broke. The belt was visually fine but who knows how long it would have lasted. I've read people go as long as 175K miles but they were extremly lucky and pushing their luck. YMMV

crwys

Maybe the OP is going to have to do some research on how long timing belts actually last. I too never hear of timing belts breaking before 120k but yours is also 5 years old. Either way you may have to decide for your self to take the risk or not.

01LEXPL

iTrader: (10)

I'd roll the dice, only because these components are really good that Lexus puts into their cars...

Look at the LS400 forums, the guys on there do 150-200k on the original timing belt, and it's not just a one-off case... I mean hell, my TB was 7-8yrs old at the time when I changed mine.

Not worth the cost, especially for one year, IMO.

This is one of those cases where I would just ride it out.

Natey2

If my car was going to be traded in to a Lexus/Toyota dealer in less than a year, I wouldn't do the TB because I doubt they'd pay me more for the vehicle just because I did the TB service.
What would be really interesting to see is if the dealer would do the TB before trying to re-sell that car :-)

PFB

Deciding not to change the timing belt when it's due (time or Milage) is no different than deciding wheather or not to purchase car insurance. Odds are that you won't have a car accident in the next while, but no one can guarantee or predict it.

If no accident, than you're ahead, if accident, you're screwed. You're the only one that can decide what chance you're willing to take.

Phil

01LEXPL

iTrader: (10)

Guaranteed they wont. They'll "inspect it", aka, what they do on the very-much recalled 3GS' with the leaky waterpumps.

speedkar9

If your going to trade it in within the year I say skip the timing belt change. You'll never make the money back for your own benefit.

Nevertheless, keep close attention to the engine's performance and any noise coming from the timing belt area, indicating a skipped tooth, a failing bearing or leaky water-pump.