GSteg

iTrader: (15)

Which is why manufactures also recommend changing the belt at 6-year or 90k miles, whichever ones comes first.

DASHOCKER

iTrader: (2)

My 2002 Rav4 is due then.. 2008 makes it 6 years old.. The vehicle only has 32k on the clock.. Replaced the drive belt on it in November of 07 due to visible cracks. I can only imaging the timing belt.. Got to set up an appointment with Toyota asap.

3UZFTE

Ok, lets clear this up...
98-00 GS400 1uzfe vvt-i IS an interference motor. The timing belt that is used for this engine has a 60k mile interval.

01-05 GS430 3uzfe vvt-i IS an interference motor. The timing belt was reinforced with kevlar to increase the maintance interval between timing belts and water pump replacements.

The toyota is going to timing chains because it is proven that the chain takes longer to stretch then the belt does, and therefore will have a longer shelf life... However will lexus charging $150 dollars an hour, would you rather replace the timing belt, water pump, and tensioner for less than $600 or would you rather spend $1,500 on the timing chain at 120k?

DASHOCKER

iTrader: (2)

Just found out that my 02 Rav4 uses a timing chain set and not a rubber belt. I'm good to go

DoWnAqT

Id prefer the timing belt. They are not as bad as alot of people think. If you just keep up with them. They will treat you good. When something goes wrong with the timing chain engine....that can be pretty exspensive to fix. due to being designed to be permanent, not serviced. ITs pretty rare of chain problems, but they do come here and there. So if your a person that has bad luck...stick with the belt. Also My gs400 had 118k on the clock and is a 99 and the belt looked great. I Think they updated all the timing belts to get longer life now. so If you do a timing belt on a older car, you should be set to 90k.

Also why are people complaining about fixing a car the hardly breaks. Why dont you buy a ford or dodge so you can spend all the money you ever made fixing them.

PushinLEX

iTrader: (9)

Ehhh, now you guys are making me nervous. This is precisely the reason why I changed out my perfectly good balljoints.

I might just have to put off the next couple mods and dish out the cash for my 90K maintenance with my next oil change.

Och

iTrader: (3)

Cracks on the drive belt are actually normal.

As far as the timing belt, I wouldn't worry about it, its much more durable than your drive belt, plus you'll barely ever hear of a timing belt breaking on a Toyota.

Och

iTrader: (3)

As far as timing belt vs timing chain, I prefer the belt. Timing belts are much quiter and are better for balancing out the engine, making the engine to run smoother and quieter overall, with less vibrations.

But also, timing belts and chains normally drive the water pumps, and water pumps normally fail at aroun 60-90K miles, and to replace it you still need to remove the belt or chain, so you still pay money for the labor, just with belt you spend an extra $50 for a new one.

Also, chain can rust and fail as well, its not indestructable. Also, what if the water pump pulley seizes and gets stuck, what will happen? A timing belt will just slip on the pulley and keep rotating crank and cams, but what could happen with a chain that wont slip?

gadgeeets

i prefer belts just cange them at the intervals and they are quiet.. i had a Q45 with a chain and there were problems with the chain guides would break and get stuck in the chain and the chain would also streatch..it cost me 800 dollars for chain and guides..

GSteg

iTrader: (15)

I've replaced a few 01+ balljoints and they all seem fine to me

I guess lexus rather have you change them (out of your own expense) rather than filing a lawsuit if anything happens.

GS430 GUY

Well here is one story for you on the freaking chain failing. 1990 Q45 doing 80 MPH on I-95S in FL heading to Miami. This happened in 1996, car had 90K miles on it. Chain broke, bent up the heads, etc. Infiniti split the difference, basically had a brand new engine 1 month later. Was flatbedded down to Miami to me at school. They originally tried to charge my family $12K, then went down to $8K, then I think we ended up paying only $3500, but man, so much for the chain being so great. Didn't help the engine was interference engine as well, but I guess with a chain, as you stated, shouldn't go on you. All is not well in chain land, after that experience I'm all for a belt, especially since the engine will be non-interference cause belts break. Just thought I'd share my great experience with a timing chain

ElitistK

iTrader: (4)

fact #12932819: timing chains DO snap, and when they do...it's even uglier than timing belts snapping.

a friend of mine with a '95 maxima happened to him. cost him over $10k including labor to replace engine/tranny. end up selling the car.

GSteg

iTrader: (15)

Timing belt and a non-interference is the ultimate combo

My dad's camry is non-interference and I'm not even afraid if the belt snaps. It'll cause inconvenience, but at least its cheaper than breaking valves and such

dung0981

iTrader: (1)

Dont do it, because you might need to pay for towing company hehe

ElitistK

iTrader: (4)

lol happened to my mom's old camry. timing belt and non-interference ftuw!!!!!