Bocatrip

If I do give a job to an independent, I usually ask for OEM parts and expect to see the boxes they come in with the old parts once the job is done.

Playdrv4me

I looked at the invoice today and it turns out that pump was actually 180. There was 21 for shop supplies or coolant or a gasket or something I can't remember off the top of my head.

V8_Fan

For my wife's LX470, I bought the parts at the Toyota dealer for the same year Landcruiser and used a forum discount, too. IIRC, I replaced the t-belt, both pulleys, the serpentine belt, the water pump and O-ring, both radiator hoses, the thermostat, and PCV valve and grommet at around 92K miles. parts cost me around $530, with the H20 pump being around $125 or so. I had the dealer save the parts so I could inspect them. The t-belt looked almost new (no noticeable exterior degradation, but degradation could have been internal), water pump look very good (bearings still tight and smooth compared to the one on my 4runner that I replaced after 16 yrs...very rough w/ play). Serp belt was toast, as it was AZ, where they last only 45K mi at the most. I used Lexus visa points to pay for the labor, which was $900 (about 9 hrs). If you have a '03 or earlier, don't forget to bring your own distilled water, or they'll use tap water (bad!). The other reason why I ask them to save the parts is so I know they replaced them!

Bocatrip

Considering our timing belts are supposely designed to last 180,000 miles, it doesn't surprise me when we hear over again how the timing belts look fairly new when replaced around the 100,000 mile mark.

toyo

I can see both sides on this one. Once the tech is in there he might as well replace it. IF it fails 5K miles later you would be awfully pissed. However.....This is not a Chevy or Ford. We paid and appreciate the Toyota quality. I have never had a water pump fail on any Toyota or Lexus I have owned. I have owned Toyota's since 1979.

On my RX I replaced the timing belt at 120K. I do all of my own maintenance and repairs, so cost was not an issue. The RX is sitting at 361K with the original water pump. I like to take advantage of the Toyota quality.

ebolger

I just hit 180,000 and decided to let my local Toyota store do the work. I was pleased. The service was $500 less than the Lexus dealer four years ago! Turned out my service tech had worked at Lexus shop for 5 years. My service advisor had also worked at a Lexus dealer as well. They really looked over the car carefully and found a couple of issues that would have caused me problems if they had not been found early.

Pamperme

Just as a heads up for the rest of us, what issues were they and what year Lexus do you have? Thank you.

herLS430

We were in the Lexus dealer last week for a normal service interval and the service adviser brought up the issue of replacing the timing belt and water pump at 90,000 miles. The car has 82,500 miles on it. They quoted $1,500 for replacing both. I understand the rationale about recommending the replacement of the water pump when the timing belt is replaced. So, I will probably do both next year. We bought the car new in 2003 so I can't complain too much.

I don't believe that the 2003 LS430 has an interference engine. Does anyone know if it is?

sajack

Yes, it is an interference engine. I just had my 2002 LS430's timing belt changed at 78,000 miles. It showed no wear at all. Lexus dealer did not recommend messing with the water pump.
Labor for timing belt change and coolant flush = $340, which I thought was fair. I got the usual Lexus ES350 loaner car too.

toyo

I have never seen wear on a timing belt even at 150K. Timing belts are made ten fold stronger than a typical engine belt. Look how far some people go without changing them. I'm not saying don't change your TB, but don't loose any sleep if your at 90K and have not had it done yet.

C8V6C

I'll spend a little extra when my 90k comes up. No reason to cheapen out, because with my luck, the pump will fail at 120k and I'll be double paying labor and parts.

At least this way you know it will last an extra 90k, and I don't plan on keeping the car that long truthfully

ebolger

Leaking Valve gasket cover
Leaking transmission hose

BTW the labor to do the timing belt and waterpump was $570.

LS400TX

On my 01 LS430 ultra, I have 190k, driving daily 120miles and still have original TB and WP. Check that about 2 weeks ago and they are not showing any abnormal ware. Will still drive it. On my last 92 LS 400 I changed TB and WP in 263k and it still did not look too bad. Maybe I have a luck with LSes

karmaz

Still a bit of a gamble though, isn't it?

If the belt goes, that's game over really.

All the same, it's good to see how well they hold up.

Bocatrip

Gamble yes.....but if you read the thread about the highest mileage on LS430s, there is an owner who replaced his TB and WP at 260,000 miles! He bought the car with 85,000 miles so they might have been replaced once before, but it still proves the longevity of these parts.