oofer

1995 LS 400
My timing belt was changed by the previous owner in 2002 at 97 000kms(there is a sticker in the engine bay attesting to that and I double checked at the Lexus dealer ). The car now has 170 000 kms. Can wait till I hit 200 000 kms or should it be done earlier? I hope to put off this expense as long as I safely can.

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

it should be done every 90k MILES, not km.

oofer

PureDrifter,

Phew! So I'm good for a while. Strange cause up here everybody keeps saying every 100 000 kms, as do many websites I checked. Maybe I should refer to the owner's manual, as there is a BIG difference between 90k MILES and 100k Kms. Thanks for the reassurance. Mechanics must be getting rich in Canada changing timing belts early...maybe the extreme climate(90 degree summer,0 degree winters) have an effect. Interesting....

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

i would def. not go past 90k mi though, the 95+ 1uz is an interference motor and if the timing belt breaks you're basically in for a new motor.

oofer

Thanks PureDrifter,
The amount I drive(under 8k mi a year), won't have to replace if at least another 3 years.Found a well organized and detailed website for Timing Belt Intervals info on almost all cars.Great for anyone who doesn't have an owners manual.

http://www.familycar.com/carcare/GatesFrame.htm

kc92hatch

Hmmmm, I looked at that Gate's information packet and it shows the 1995 - 1997 LS400 as a non-interference engine. I had thought the opposite - anyone know for 100% sure?

I'm interested as I have a '97 with 55,000miles and original belt. If interference, I plan to change the belt within the next couple of months. If non-interference, I'll likely go longer.

Thanks!

oofer

kc92hatch,

Definitely interference. Go to the site I referred to in my previous post, they have that info.

kc92hatch

Oofer,

That's what I'm saying. In your link, you are taken to an info "packet" from Gates, which is a company that manufacturers all types of belts. If you look under the 1995-1997 LS400, you will see that they show it as non-interference. They do show the 1998 and up as interference.

But...I've always read that the 1995-1997 were interference, but this document (which I would tend to believe all things considered) shows different.

Come to think of it, what was so different from 1994 to 1995 that the engine would have changed to interference? That seems a little odd. I can see how that could have happened when they went to the VVTi.

Anyway, so now I'm trying to find 100% proof if 1997 is interference or not??

Thanks!

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

95-97 is an interference motor.

the head design was changed for the 1995 model year, which is how toyota pulled ~10 hp extra out of the motor, but in the process they made it into an interference motor. all the factory service manuals back this up. everything else is plain out WRONG.

for the US, the timing belt should be changed ever 90k mi.

kc92hatch

Hi Pure,

Thanks for the info. I've looked though all my shop manual info from Toyota Tech-Info.com and then also my owner's manual and owner's maintenance manual, but I can't find anything one-way or another that specifically calls out this topic.

If you wouldn't mind, do you know what section of the shop manual describes this topic.

Thanks!

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

i dont have my repair manual with me atm. search around there are numerous discussions on it.

AZ Mike

90K miles or 6 years.

Which raises a question: How many have heard of timing belts degrading/failing over 6 years but under 90K miles?

My '99 is nearly 10 years old, but only has 62K miles. I am planning to do the timing belt replacement, water pump, idler pulleys and tensioner as preventative maintenance, especially seeing as my engine is an interference, but I wonder if this is overkill for the mileage. Any opinions?

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

a grand total of
zero.

RA40

iTrader: (6)

These parts are usually durable. The mechanical stuff like bearings, water pump no big deal. That $40 rubber, belt...a lot depends on it. Age does bring with it deterioration and variables. Weigh that against the maintenance and gambling what if it hits the fan.

If you are a DIY, just do the belt and let the other stuff go till the mileage comes due. I think the least expensive I was quoted for just the belt change was like $400.

AZ Mike

Thanks for the feedback.

I assumed that the frequency of timing belt failures was minimal.

On the other hand, mine being an interference engine, and the fact that it will be in service 10 years this coming June, if I don't replace the timing belt, the possibility of failure will likely loom in the back of my mind and be something else to worry about.

As far as replacing just the belt, but not the water pump and idler pulleys, how long do the water pump and pulleys generally last? I am all for saving money, but if replacing a couple hundred dollars worth of parts saves me from having to dig in there for another 6 years, rather then having to go back in 2 years from now, it may be worth it. Thoughts?

My understanding is that while in there, in addition to the timing belt, it is good to replace the water pump, idler pulleys, tensioner, and serpentine belt. I have heard some people mention the cam seals, but have heard others say that is a pretty technical job in which you can seriously screw up your engine if you don't do it 100% correctly. I have not seen a DIY or the manual on the cam seals yet, so this is based primarily upon forums such as this.