Another Timing belt question
#46
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I am confused. I have a 2001 LS430.
1. Is the "timing belt" the same as a "drive belt"?
2. Is the "timing belt" internal to the engine or external wrapped around all the pully's under the hood?
Thanks, Bill
1. Is the "timing belt" the same as a "drive belt"?
2. Is the "timing belt" internal to the engine or external wrapped around all the pully's under the hood?
Thanks, Bill
#47
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1. no, they are different belts
2. the timing belt is internal in the engine en controls the valves in relation to the crankshaft. (The crankshaft (drive shaft) is put in motion by the pistons and connects to the gearbox.)
The drive belt (= external belt) connects the pulleys of the steering pump, generator, air conditioning pump to the drive shaft (which provides the power for all these things), en can be seen under the hood.
The timing belt controls the valves and cannot bee seen. The change of timing belt is so expensive just because it is built in. A lot of components have to be removed before you have access to the timing belt.
Hope this clarifies things a bit.
Jac
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My trusted independent mechanic (worked at a local Lexus dealer) told me to wait till 130K miles. I took it in at ~113K.
I don't need to take chance and stall with little kids inside.
I don't need to take chance and stall with little kids inside.
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Hi Bill,
1. no, they are different belts
2. the timing belt is internal in the engine en controls the valves in relation to the crankshaft. (The crankshaft (drive shaft) is put in motion by the pistons and connects to the gearbox.)
The drive belt (= external belt) connects the pulleys of the steering pump, generator, air conditioning pump to the drive shaft (which provides the power for all these things), en can be seen under the hood.
The timing belt controls the valves and cannot bee seen. The change of timing belt is so expensive just because it is built in. A lot of components have to be removed before you have access to the timing belt.
Hope this clarifies things a bit.
Jac
1. no, they are different belts
2. the timing belt is internal in the engine en controls the valves in relation to the crankshaft. (The crankshaft (drive shaft) is put in motion by the pistons and connects to the gearbox.)
The drive belt (= external belt) connects the pulleys of the steering pump, generator, air conditioning pump to the drive shaft (which provides the power for all these things), en can be seen under the hood.
The timing belt controls the valves and cannot bee seen. The change of timing belt is so expensive just because it is built in. A lot of components have to be removed before you have access to the timing belt.
Hope this clarifies things a bit.
Jac
#50
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Or (whatever comes first: the mileage or the time in years): after a certain number of years.
Concerning this time, there is discrepancy between various insights and there are differences between countries as well.
Some people even say that only the number of miles count.
Over here (Netherlands) I believe that the recommended interval is 8 years.
The replacement of the timing belt is quite costly. The general experience is that the "old" belt still appears to be in good to excellent shape at replacement. So that might induce a (much) later possible replacement date.
On the other hand, if the timing belt breaks you have a lot of internal engine damage, which will cost a lot more....
Jac
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There certainly are people who keep rolling past 90k I read somewhere on the forums one guy had 170k on the timing belt to the point teeth were stripping on the belt. I'm sure the Lexus recommendation is conservative, think of the unhappy customers that would result from belts breaking at 80k. I'm guessing that the belt is certainly good to 110k to 140k (so about 50% above recommendation) before the belt becomes critical.
However, remember that on the 430 engine the valves will hit the pistons if failure occurs so basically the top half of your engine will be destroyed. The head will have to be pulled and valves replaced at a minimum, so you are talking big $$$$$. Much better to change at 90k and have peace of mind. I plan on doing mine myself for about $400 in parts, I think I can tackle the job I've done it on other cars.
However, remember that on the 430 engine the valves will hit the pistons if failure occurs so basically the top half of your engine will be destroyed. The head will have to be pulled and valves replaced at a minimum, so you are talking big $$$$$. Much better to change at 90k and have peace of mind. I plan on doing mine myself for about $400 in parts, I think I can tackle the job I've done it on other cars.
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jac430, thanks. This is frustrating. I think of an internal engine part as a CHAIN (Made from metal) and an external engine part as a BELT (Made from rubber). Is this correct for the LS430. Thanks for your patience. Bill
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My previous car (Renault Safrane V6 from 1992) had a timing chain (metal).
The advantage of that is, that it (in principle) never needs replacement. At least not for 300,000 miles or so.
The disadvantage of a chain is that it produces slightly more engine noise. A toothed belt (rubber with high-tensile fibers) is just quieter.
I think that is on of the reasons that Toyota used a belt in the LS V8 engines, although I am certain there are other considerations, since most engines have a timing belt instead of a timing chain nowadays. Belt-systems are a lot cheaper for the car manufacturer than chain-systems, and that is likely be the major consideration to use a timing belt.
My LS430 is 7 years now, which means that next year I have to fork up a large amount just for the timing belt replacement.
My Renault obviously never had these costs in the over 18 years of its service.
For my taste, they could as well have used a timing chain. If the engine is well designed and the engine-bay and the cabin proper sound-insulated, a chain would have saved us all a lot of costs. The V6 of Renault was quiet enough. (Although they changed that V6 later on and used a belt as well, creating a worse engine in the process....)
Hope this explains it a bit.
Jac
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Is there anyway to check if the timing belt has been replaced? I purchased a used 04 with 89k miles on it. The thing was served by lexus at every interval but the report on the lexus site just says "recommended service completed" or "75k mile service completed"
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If such a sticker is not there, just phone any Lexus dealer and they can look it up for you.
It is a good thing to now indeed!
Jac
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I have only seen it once on a LS430 I was interested in. I can't remember precisely, but it was somewhere on top and near the front of the engine, and clearly visible.
Before I bought the LS430 I now have (a different one from the one I saw the TB sticker in), I phoned the local Lexus dealer, and they could look into the service history of the car (which has been serviced at a different dealer). Despite the fact that this local dealer is extremely unfriendly and the car was from a private seller, they still checked the service details for me.
If in doubt, just call any Lexus dealer and ask when and at what mileage the timing belt has been replaced.
I suppose that is the only reliable source.
Hope this helps a bit.
Jac
Before I bought the LS430 I now have (a different one from the one I saw the TB sticker in), I phoned the local Lexus dealer, and they could look into the service history of the car (which has been serviced at a different dealer). Despite the fact that this local dealer is extremely unfriendly and the car was from a private seller, they still checked the service details for me.
If in doubt, just call any Lexus dealer and ask when and at what mileage the timing belt has been replaced.
I suppose that is the only reliable source.
Hope this helps a bit.
Jac
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OK, I was talking to one of my co-workers who drives a 2001 V8 Toyota Sequoia with 160k miles on it. I asked him if he had the timing belt replaced at 90k miles per the manual; the answer was no and he has no intention of having it done. I am the proud papa to a 2004 LS430 and will change my timing belt very soon.
So my question to the board is - are there any LS430 drivers who have not changed the timing belt and continue to drive their car since 90k miles?
So my question to the board is - are there any LS430 drivers who have not changed the timing belt and continue to drive their car since 90k miles?
I just bought a 2005 ls430 at 107k. It did not have the 90K timing belt service. my question is does it just need the belt or it also needs tensioner, water pump.. etc..
#60
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I just purchased an 02 with 73k. I called a friend who is a lexus mechanic who told me if were his car he'd change the belt and water pump. age can be a significant factor as with miles. I'm taking the car in today.