aydogdu197

Hi lexus lovers,
I am a newbie. Bought a lexus 2004 es330 with a 198k on it. I want to keep and drive it for a long time so wanna replace timing belt and water pump. I need to learn what other parts might be replaced to avoid additional labor cost in the future. For example v belts, steering wheel belt, or lines, or even steering wheel pump, etc.and any brand suggestions for parts?
Also a mechanic quoted me 1500 dollars to replace it. I believe this is too much. What is a reasonable labor cost if I buy the parts myself and hire a mechanic do the jobs?
Thanks for your time.

LeX2K

Get the Aisin TKT026 shop around at places like Amazon and Rockauto etc. for the best price. $1500 is high for a timing belt job even if that includes parts since the Aisin kit is about $170 coolant will be around $60. Inspect the belts if they don't look cracked then leave them be. I would consider $600-700 on labour to be reasonable at most places. Use Toyota Super Long Life coolant or something equal don't use generic it will ruin your cooling system.

Other maintenance stuff depends on what if anything has been done do you have any records?

aydogdu197

Thank you. Unfortunately no records. The previous owner told me that he replaced spark plugs, thermostat, engine oil, flushed steering wheel fluid. I believe no transmission liquid flushed either.

ilkinandr

Don't flush the tranny, just drain and fill it multiple times. P.S id hope he replaced engine oil at 200k miles lol.

80es300

Don't forget the front seals (Two cam seals & one crank seal, get OEM). Also, the Power steering & AC belts are not expensive (Bando is one good one) and since those come off anyways, you can change them unless they are almost new. Find a mechanic who has experience with Toyota/Lexus.
If I am not wrong, I think 2004 would have come with red coolant and not super long pink. Better to stay with what your car came with (Look at ur manual)

funcrusher

^ front seals huh? Wonder if I should do those when I do my timing belt and water pump.

ArmyofOne

Cam seals yes. Don't bother with the crank seal unless its leaking because it is a biiiiiiiiittttch.

funcrusher

Got cha! Hell I might even do my radiator and power steering pump while I’m in there. Be done forever haha.

ES214

I had this job done on Friday on a 06 ES330 (200k miles) at my independent mechanic. I bought the Aisin TKT-026 kit, 2 front cam seals, 1 crankshaft seal, power steering (serpentine) belt, A/C Alternator belt.

Buy the Aisin TKT-026 Kit. I got one off Amazon:

Amazon:
Rock Auto: https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...426036&jsn=509

There is also the Aisin TKT-006 kit, but this kit doesn't include the hydraulic tensioner so stick with the TKT-026 kit.

I bought the following from a local Toyota dealer:

2 front camshaft seals: $9.48 each (Part#:90311-38034)
1 front crankshaft seal: $12.81 (Part#:90311-40022)
Power steering (serpentine) belt: $5.01 (Part#:90080-91088-83)
Alternator belt: $28.72 (Part#:99366-21040-83)

I bought the two belts above because they were worn down. I had the seals replaced since the car has high mileage and it was the best time to have them replaced. Only the back camshaft seal was leaking, fwiw.

Total parts:
$169.50 for the Aisin kit after tax
$70.90 for the Toyota parts after tax
Total for parts: $240.40
I had antifreeze already, so didn't need to buy any.

Labor: $250

Total for parts and labor: $490.40

My mechanic is a one man show located near downtown. Before I took it to him I called around to local shops. Quotes ranged from $790-$990. They all required to use their parts. No thanks. With the Aisin kit, and additional toyota parts, I was able to use only OEM parts for this job.

Good luck!

aydogdu197

I just ordered the same parts you mentioned about one hour ago. I found a kit on ebay with camshaft and crank seals included, aisin water pump, and hydraulic tensioner. But their brand is GMB. Also I added bando AC/Alternator belt and power steering belt to my order. Total 150 dollars.

Today I went to an independent mechanic and he quoted me 500 dollars. where do you live? I wish i could hire your mechanic How long did it take to finish the job?

ES214

That's a great deal for the parts, although I'm not familiar with GMB's track record. Is the timing belt a Mitsuboshi belt? Bando belts are great.

I would definitely shop around. I'm from Dallas, TX. My mechanic is kind of the go-to mechanic for UberBlack drivers in town (Tahoe, Yukon, Lincoln Town Cars). He was a Honda mechanic for ten years. I thank God for meeting him a few years ago through a friend.

I'm not sure how many total hours it took him. I dropped it off Thursday afternoon and picked it up Friday afternoon. He was doing on the spot jobs in between working on my car.