tantheman

I was told by a Lexus dealership that the engine in the 2000 LX was a "NON-DESTRUCTIVE" engine which means if the timing belt fails no damage will occur to the engine. It will only stop running. He said it was routine for timing belts along with water pumps to be replaced around 120,000 miles instead of the 90k maintenance book suggestion. Can anyone verify this???

ToyLexmods

Tan,

I will agree with the 120k mark. I have run a 92 LS for 138k on the first timingbelt and wp. I personally inspected this timing belt at the 90,100, 110, 120 and 130k marks and the belt looked good. I just finished changing everything under the timing cover at 138k....belt, wp, idlers, tensioner, fan bracket and all seals. I also have a 92 SC4 with 86k.....belt looks ok and I plan to run this up to 120 or may just change everything next year due to the age of the car. I also have a 99 LX with 60k.....ditto on my inspection schedule but I do think the age of the belt matters as well....ie a 4 year old belt with 90k is in much better condition than a 12 year old belt with 90k....

tantheman

Any verification on the "non destructive" engine of the LX 470 (2000)??? Any damage to the engine if the timing belt breaks?

tabraha

The i-force 4.7L is technically an "interference" engine which means it is destructive. Technically. Toyota says that they have worked to minimize the possibility of destruction for the most part however. They claim that it is now a factor of engine speed at the time of timing belt failure. So, while it is considered an interference engine, it's not automatically going to have bent valves if the t-belt goes out. I'm not going to stretch the maintenance interval, that's cheap insurance to me.
Tad

parula

Personally, for the minor cost, imo; I will just change the T-belt around 90k as cheap insurance. Not worth losing a $2k engine for a few bucks imo.