stef30

Hi all, i bought RX400h 2007 with 69k miles. Is it necessary to replace timing belt ?
thanks

thomas1

THe belts are excellent, but time is your enemy. I would personally have the belt replaced.

myw

technically its chain, should you should be fine... but 13 years is a long time - all depends on how comfortable you feel overall re testing your luck.

Margate330

+1 I agree with thomas1.
At least pull the T-belt cover and have a peek.
Mine was changed 60k miles ago but after 12 years
it looked aged and "Mirroring" so I changed it cuz
snapped T-belt just not worth it to me. Been there...

joedaddy1

iTrader: (1)

mods should delete this reply.

RX400h has a belt, not a chain.

iMSQ

Does anyone know the label on original timing belt that was installed by manufacturer? Toyota or Lexus? Thanks

777rx400h

its a belt einstein

Margate330

My original timing belt was already replaced at 90k at Lexus when I got my car so I never got to see it and when I changed the belt around 150K there were no markings on the belt.
Maybe someone has pic of original belt that came on our cars.

thomas1

The belt I always use is Mitsobishi. Was one of the original manufacturers of the timing belt for Toyota/Lexus. They sell complete kits with Timing belt, waterpump (driven by timing belt) and idlers....

iMSQ

First owner serviced car at dealer, so I have all service records. But I don't know if timing belt was changed (no sticker, no records except "90k maintenance was complete"). I changed it at 177k and it has "toyota" label on it. But mechanic told that it doesn't look like 177k belt.

Randy25

Margate,

How do you "Pull the T-belt cover" ?? I've visited two mechanics recently for other work on my 400H, and both told me that viewing the condition on the belt would require $$$ labor.
I bought my 2006 at 89K. Now it's 170K. Not sure if the belt was ever replaced. One hybrid authorized shop quoted me $1100.

Thanks,

Randy

Margate330

Hi Randy25,

That price sounds a little high.
Plz make sure for that price you were at least quoted for all OEM parts from Lexus and are getting a water pump, tensioner, idlers, and new camshaft & crank shaft seals too(recommended due to mileage) and unless you trust this shop might want to get all old parts back to make sure they actually did it.

If you decide to DIY, pulling the timing belt covers can be a good practice run to see how things go.

Here is a video showing the timing belt job but first part of video shows what is needed to pull the timing belt covers.
1st time doing this might take a few hours but if you are good and have all the tools- the covers can be pulled in 30 minutes.

PS- Upper engine mount H-shaped bracket and other brackets bolt into aluminum and can be stripped out so torque specs are needed for proper reassembly.

iMSQ

$600-700 (with parts) is the real price

Randy25

Margate,

Thank you for the video link. :-) I'm not going to be attempting this replacement myself. Yes, the $1100 I was quoted includes Timing Belt, Water Pump, Tensioner. . . . perhaps other additional parts, at a licensed hybrid repair shop. I just had my
shift cable replaced in November. That job was $1060. You provided helpful instructions on that which I printed out for the same repair shop. It is difficult to find repair shops who are licensed to work on Hybrids. My regular mechanic who is quite good, refuses to touch anything that involves hybird technology. My options are limited, even in a high populated area.

Randy

Randy25

Is that the timing belt alone w/labor, or does it include the other commonly replaced parts at the same time?