Timing chain or belt?
#1
Rookie
Thread Starter
Timing chain or belt?
I just purchased an 08 with 135,000 miles. I asked my mechanic (Toyota/lexus guru) and he says my engine has a timing chain instead of a belt and he's , knock on wood, never seen one fail. Thoughts? Experience?
#6
Pole Position
Trending Topics
#8
Rookie
Thread Starter
Ok so now I need to try to contact the old owner, in Texas, to see if it's been done or not.Any suggestions on how to find out who that was? I can get a title history from to dmv but that takes two weeks.
#9
Pole Position
Stop by your local dealer with your registration - they can see if there's any service history for it, based on the VIN.
If it was changed by an independent mechanic, there probably won't be any record of it (from the dealer or via Carfax).
You can look for tool marks on the crankshaft pulley bolt, but that's not a guarantee the belt was changed (might have been for the water pump).
Even if you got a parts receipt with the vehicle, know that some unscrupulous types have been known to buy the parts, copy the receipt so they have one to show, then return the parts.
If you absolutely have to know the work was done, and you don't have any records, get it changed yourself.
Chip H.
If it was changed by an independent mechanic, there probably won't be any record of it (from the dealer or via Carfax).
You can look for tool marks on the crankshaft pulley bolt, but that's not a guarantee the belt was changed (might have been for the water pump).
Even if you got a parts receipt with the vehicle, know that some unscrupulous types have been known to buy the parts, copy the receipt so they have one to show, then return the parts.
If you absolutely have to know the work was done, and you don't have any records, get it changed yourself.
Chip H.
#10
Find a new mechanic, that's just especially ignorant considering his specialty is Lexus/Toyotas.
Usually, if the job has been done, the technician puts a sticker somewhere in the engine bay letting you know the service has been completed. The sticker comes with the timing belt kit. So you might want to look around the engine compartment for that sticker as well.
Usually, if the job has been done, the technician puts a sticker somewhere in the engine bay letting you know the service has been completed. The sticker comes with the timing belt kit. So you might want to look around the engine compartment for that sticker as well.
#12
Driver
You can also sign up on Drive Lexus and enter Vin number and find out it service records. But with no sticker if done probably not done at dealer.
https://secure.drivers.lexus.com/lexusdrivers/home.do
https://secure.drivers.lexus.com/lexusdrivers/home.do
#13
Lead Lap
#14
Driver School Candidate
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: maryland
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Good luck
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
KingNasGS4
GS - 2nd Gen (1998-2005)
5
11-05-09 07:28 AM