I6turbo

iTrader: (1)

I'd say it's getting about time, but I wouldn't flame you or be overly worried about it, especially if you've sneaked a peek at it to make sure it still looks okay. IME, recommended replacement intervals on Toyotas are very conservative. But it is getting about time in your case, IMO.

DNC

Speaking for myself I will not flame you. You can read the manufacturer's recommendations but it's really up to you. Each person has to do what is right for them and live with the results.

m8554

I decided to have the timing belt replaced mainly because it is an interference engine and if the belt failed, the engine could need thousands in repairs. Here is a list of what I had done at the local Lexus dealer.
1. Change timing belt. $546.00
2. Replace rear diff fluid 65.00
3. Flush brake fluid 110.00
4. Flush cooling system 148.00
5. Lube, oil and filter 58.00
6. Change trans fluid 78.00
Total bill 1005.00
The mechanic also checked out the car and said he worked for the dealer for 19 years and this was the cleanest 7 year old car he had seen. The serpentine belt checked out OK. I had them save the old timing belt and it looked like new. I still think it was worth having done for peace of mind.
Next issue is tires. I replaced the original Dunlops with Michelin Primacys even though the Dunlops still had 7/32 tread, the date code was December 02. The Primacys are riding stiffer than those on my old LS400. I bought them at Town Fair Tire and they have a 30 day replacement guarantee. Maybe I will try the Toyo Versados if I can't get used to the Primacys. I hear they ride smooth and quiet. Any thoughts?

usermel

What you did was wrth it buddy. Long term you got a steal of a car. If I found a car like that I'd buy it now. 18,000 miles 1 owner from a older person. A dream buy, a BIG DREAM! Its like buying a demo car from a Lexus dealer they kept for 6 years or so. Man, great car and $1,000 for making sure it is ok is more than worth it!!! L.G.N.M

Bretsuaz

Aren't the 97s non-interference, though?

DavidinCT

Wow, nice find....even if you dumpped in another grand for it, it's a brand new 2003 car and a LS.....

Jabberwock

I think you made a good investment - $1000 to get all fluids freshened and doing the timing belt is a pretty good price. Now you are good to go for quite a while. You might also check power steering fluid since you have done everything else - its likely fine at those low miles but you can easily drain the tank and refill a couple of times over a few days time to just to freshen it up without having to do a full flush. I think it takes auto trans fluid - does on my highlander and I just drained and filled that 4 times over a week's time to get it nice and clean - cost was 6 bucks worth of fluid.

jadu

iTrader: (42)

^^agreed with jabberwock, even though it costed a g, I'd also rather have that peace of mind

Vpanin

546$ for a timing belt change...........WHAT DEALer IN CT DOES THIS???? ill make him my only dealer for everything...lol

m8554

Hoffman Lexus in East Hartford, CT. I thought all their prices were reasonable. Its a 4.5 hour flat rate to change the belt.

warminwisc

I am needing a belt also and my toyota dealer quoted me 380 bucks for the belt, and 650 if I do the pump also.

V8_Fan

Was it garaged? I changed the t-belt on my honda a year ago based on age. The belt and water pump still looked new, bearings in the pump were still smooth and tight. Dry desert heat is a lot tougher on rubber than cooler, humid temps like what you have. Of couse, a new "looking" t-belt is not a definitive indicator that the belt will work like new. You could wait a year or two, but inevitably, you need to get it changed. I certainly wouldn't wait until you have 90K miles! I got mine changed sooner rather than later because I planned to keep the car for a long time.

McDonough

Without a doubt, change the tires....my Father recently bought a 98 Lincoln Towncar with only 32K miles....he thought the tires looked good, I told him they were old....and the date codes proved it....well, he didn't change them, and recently had a blowout on one of the tires....they were original Michelins...not cheapies....luckily, he was going slow, no damage done...

In other words, change the tires, and get the timing belt checked too.