LEX012006

I am looking for info about timing belt replacements. I have been told by several different people (Lexus dealers, Lexus techs, and techs in general). We all know the timing belt is suppose to be changed at 90k, but is the water pump suppose to be changed too? There are dealers that off the replacement with and dealers that change the belt without replacing the pump. Which is it? I have been told the water pump never goes bad, so there is no reason the touch it. That works for me since Murphy says "if it is not broken, don't fix it". But if it is a precaution (which I was told that is why some dealers change it) why then all of the "LEXUS" dealerships do the same?

Thanks for any input/information/comments!!

junjdm

I would go ahead and change it, b/c your right there, plus the labor would be cheaper instead of something happening 10Kmiles down the road, I would change the water pump just to be on the safe side!

LEX012006

thanks for your reply/input. But my things is WHY would you? I get too many conflicting reports. As most people have told me, since you are there, then change it. My question is "Is it necessary?". No one has given me a straight, honest, asnwer yet.

Better question.....Has anyone had a water pump fail in ANY Lexus product they have owned?

Paul B

Yes, my Lexus 2000 LX 470 water pump was leaking at 28,000 miles and was replaced under warranty. Funny thing is that I was doing a routine oil change at the Toyota dealer, and the tech told me the water pump had stains from previous leaking. Luckily, he caught it just before my 3 yr. warranty was about to expire so it didn't cost me anything. They went ahead and changed the timing belt at the same time for no charge.

campisi

It's cheap insurance. You've already spent a bunch of labor (money) getting to the timing belt which also exposes the water pump for easy replacement, the water pump's just sitting there begging to be replaced. Water pumps may or may not go bad but they ARE a wear/tear item and if it were me I'd buy a brand new LEXUS (not some crappy aftermarket unit) pump and put it on while I'm there. Your call.
As far as why some dealers would replace it and some wouldn't - I'd guess that some customers would feel like they were being rippped off having a water pump replaced that was still perfectly good.