Jrezo

Who has changed their timing belts and at how many miles should you change it.

Is it a Bi!ch to change it on your own.

Thanks Guys

go4dabukz

If you use the seach function, you'll find a wealth of discussion on this question.

Generally you should change it every 90,000 miles

RI-Lex

iTrader: (4)

Mine wasn't changed till the car had about 124k, original owner waited a little too long I'll say.

go4dabukz

Does anyone know of any timing belts that have broken or all we all just following the manufacturer's advice?

RI-Lex

iTrader: (4)

I say better saved than sorry man, once the timing belt breaks, you run the risk of bend valves, cam damage, block issues, not worth it, just follow the manufacturer's advice.

gobears

Should we follow 90K miles or goes by years?

My car hasn't reached the 90K, but but its about 10 years old now with about 70K miles on it.

Billh2

The factory recommended change interval is 90K. I might be wrong on this, but I don't think there is a change interval set on the water pump. Water pumps do not last forever, 90K seems to be the point where they start to fail.

I recently had my timing belt replaced, Lexus wanted 1500+ for the belt and water pump. I was told by a friend that one of the tech's in the local Toyota dealership was also an excellent Lexus tech. After talking to the guy, I had them do the job. He told me he has never seen a belt break but he has seen a number of them stretch due to old age. He indicated that the water pump was more prone to failure than the belt.

The bill was around $900, (reflecting the difference between a Seattle Lexus dealership and a Yakima Washington Toyota dealership's labor rates). Car runs great. They gave me back the old parts. Could not find fault with the belt but the water pump was starting to develop a slight leak.

You can do this job yourself and save some money. BUT, if you have a GS430 you have absolutely no room for error. If you don’t get the belt on correctly the first time, you stand a good chance of bending valves when you roll the motor over. That will get REAL expensive.
As far as I am concerned, it’s not worth the risk.

DzaztrBUSE

Definitely change at 90k. I got mine changed at 105k and there were cracks at every nub. Ill post pictures later on tonight. I saved it just to be able to take pics.

Jrezo

Thanks Guys this helps a bunch. I have a local tech I think I will just have him do it. I did my serpentine belts but timing belt seems alot harder.

Jrezo

Oh ya, any other parts needed? Timing belt, water pump, any other seals or gaskets?

Thanks again

gobears

You are looking at about 5+ hours of labor just to let you know.

Jrezo

Ya I know I think I will go with a tech. I was pricing parts and it looks like $50 for the timing belt and $110 for the water pump

lxgs4

that was the first thing i changed when i got my car few months ago. car only had 63k miles but it was a 98. good thing i did it becuause i found the water pump to show a trace of coolant coming from it. Changed everthing while i was in there. Crank seal, thermostat, idler, tensioner, water pump, and all o-rings and gaskets related.

gobears

lxgs4 - how was the belt for 10 years old? I am in the same boat as you are. I am thinking of waiting until 80K.

lxgs4

belt showed slight stress fractures on the surface. I have seen what a broken belt can do to an interfernce motor. Not a good thing to see, alot of money to fix.