LS430 Timing Belt Experience
06-21-15 | 12:59 PM
#1
LS430 Timing Belt Experience
Just bought a 2001 LS430 with 110k miles and thought I'd better have the timing belt replaced. Old parts were original equipment, and all were in very good condition, no frayed belts, rough bearings, or leaks. I'm still glad I had it done, it's good insurance.
My local Toyota dealer did the job; replaced timing belt, idlers, water pump, crank seal, and serpentine belt, all with OEM parts. Total cost was $1400.
Awesome car, it replaced my aging SC300. Lexus forever!
My local Toyota dealer did the job; replaced timing belt, idlers, water pump, crank seal, and serpentine belt, all with OEM parts. Total cost was $1400.
Awesome car, it replaced my aging SC300. Lexus forever!
06-21-15 | 04:47 PM
#2
Driver
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 141
Likes: 3
From: GA
Just bought a 2001 LS430 with 110k miles and thought I'd better have the timing belt replaced. Old parts were original equipment, and all were in very good condition, no frayed belts, rough bearings, or leaks. I'm still glad I had it done, it's good insurance.
My local Toyota dealer did the job; replaced timing belt, idlers, water pump, crank seal, and serpentine belt, all with OEM parts. Total cost was $1400.
Awesome car, it replaced my aging SC300. Lexus forever!
My local Toyota dealer did the job; replaced timing belt, idlers, water pump, crank seal, and serpentine belt, all with OEM parts. Total cost was $1400.
Awesome car, it replaced my aging SC300. Lexus forever!
07-02-15 | 08:18 AM
#4
Rookie
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 95
Likes: 2
From: CA
I just hit 180k and about to have my second timing belt/water pump replacement. Also doing serpentine belt, but I ended up not buying the tensioner and idler pulley to try any save some money. Is this okay or is it highly recommended to have them all replaced? I'm not sure if they were done at 90k, actually, but I don't have any squeak noises. I'm assuming those parts are still good
07-02-15 | 10:20 AM
#5
Pole Position
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 277
Likes: 7
From: Minnesota
Heather,
I'd really recommend getting a tensioner and idler. You can re-use the tensioner once, and unless you know for sure that it was replaced in the first timing belt job, it might be the tensioner that left the factory in 2001, and you might be running on borrowed time. The part isn't that expensive, I think the timing belt kits with the tensioner only cost $10 more than the kits without (at least on Amazon).
And the idler pully is a tricky one. Some people go 300k+ miles with the factory one, others have it snap at 120k miles. I'm inclined to think that it's safe in Cali - more moderate temperatures and not super rainy/salty.
I'd really recommend getting a tensioner and idler. You can re-use the tensioner once, and unless you know for sure that it was replaced in the first timing belt job, it might be the tensioner that left the factory in 2001, and you might be running on borrowed time. The part isn't that expensive, I think the timing belt kits with the tensioner only cost $10 more than the kits without (at least on Amazon).
And the idler pully is a tricky one. Some people go 300k+ miles with the factory one, others have it snap at 120k miles. I'm inclined to think that it's safe in Cali - more moderate temperatures and not super rainy/salty.
07-03-15 | 08:30 AM
#6
Rookie
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 95
Likes: 2
From: CA
Heather,
I'd really recommend getting a tensioner and idler. You can re-use the tensioner once, and unless you know for sure that it was replaced in the first timing belt job, it might be the tensioner that left the factory in 2001, and you might be running on borrowed time. The part isn't that expensive, I think the timing belt kits with the tensioner only cost $10 more than the kits without (at least on Amazon).
And the idler pully is a tricky one. Some people go 300k+ miles with the factory one, others have it snap at 120k miles. I'm inclined to think that it's safe in Cali - more moderate temperatures and not super rainy/salty.
I'd really recommend getting a tensioner and idler. You can re-use the tensioner once, and unless you know for sure that it was replaced in the first timing belt job, it might be the tensioner that left the factory in 2001, and you might be running on borrowed time. The part isn't that expensive, I think the timing belt kits with the tensioner only cost $10 more than the kits without (at least on Amazon).
And the idler pully is a tricky one. Some people go 300k+ miles with the factory one, others have it snap at 120k miles. I'm inclined to think that it's safe in Cali - more moderate temperatures and not super rainy/salty.
It comes with a hydraulic tensioner. Is that the one I need? Isn't there two tensioners in this process: one for timing belt and one for serpentine?
07-03-15 | 10:46 AM
#7
Pole Position
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,146
Likes: 67
From: Illinois
This is the kit I bought http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008EEYWKI?...glink20370-20#
It comes with a hydraulic tensioner. Is that the one I need? Isn't there two tensioners in this process: one for timing belt and one for serpentine?
It comes with a hydraulic tensioner. Is that the one I need? Isn't there two tensioners in this process: one for timing belt and one for serpentine?
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07-04-15 | 04:35 PM
#8
Lead Lap
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 430
Likes: 10
From: CA
I'll be doing my Tbelt and assorted parts in October (when the wife is gone for a month and I can take my time). I just replaced the serpentine belt yesterday as it was OEM and had cracks all over it. 91K miles.
07-06-15 | 07:16 AM
#9
Driver
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 56
Likes: 2
From: Florida
This is the kit I bought http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008EEYWKI?...glink20370-20#
It comes with a hydraulic tensioner. Is that the one I need? Isn't there two tensioners in this process: one for timing belt and one for serpentine?
It comes with a hydraulic tensioner. Is that the one I need? Isn't there two tensioners in this process: one for timing belt and one for serpentine?
Just curious, but is the OEM stuff also made by Aisin or is there a difference in quality?
07-06-15 | 07:59 AM
#10
Pole Position
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 277
Likes: 7
From: Minnesota
Heather, you got a great kit. That has the tensioner for the timing belt.
I completely forgot about the tensioner for the accessory belt, but that's not as important. I'd imagine there'd be a lot of warning signs before that one failed.
98SNAKETR,
The Aisin kit uses OEM components. The only difference between the Aisin kit and the kit at the lexus dealer is that the Lexus kit has 'Lexus' branding on the timing belt whereas the Aisin kit has 'Mitsuboshi' branding.
Here's a thread with the information.
I completely forgot about the tensioner for the accessory belt, but that's not as important. I'd imagine there'd be a lot of warning signs before that one failed.
98SNAKETR,
The Aisin kit uses OEM components. The only difference between the Aisin kit and the kit at the lexus dealer is that the Lexus kit has 'Lexus' branding on the timing belt whereas the Aisin kit has 'Mitsuboshi' branding.
Here's a thread with the information.
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