e-man

Hi all. Is it recommended to replace the tensioner and pulley when performing a timing belt service? 2006 GS430 with 192,000 miles. Original timing belt was was changed in 2015 at 100,000. I am not sure whether tensioner and pulley were changed at that time. Thanks.

StefanoS

I would replace these, if it were my car. One never knows when a roller bearing will cave in and these things revolve at some pretty high RPM's in there. I would consider it to be cheap insurance to replace these, as they are a critical component in the valve train.. If one goes it will certainly cause some internal damage. Better to be safe than sorry.

e-man

Is it one tensioner and one pulley? Or are there two pulleys?

StefanoS

The timing kit consists of the timing belt, one idler roller and one tensioner assembly, with roller. If your water pump has not been changed recently, I would also do that while you are in there, as the water pump is driven by the back side of the timing belt (the non-toothed side). It's easier to do so all at the same time, as opposed to paying for the labor twice for a job in this area. I would stick with a known brand, such as Aisin (OEM supplier to Toyota) or Conti-Tech, a well known European parts manufacturer of quality parts. I would avoid some of the lesser known ones, such as GMB. Aisin makes two different kits. Both are the same, except one has the additional tensioner hydraulic piston in addition to the other parts. This is the one that I would use. These are the identical parts that Toyota/Lexus sells but, not in their box. Aisin is partially owned by Toyota and they make great quality items.

StefanoS

Addendum to the above....
As I am certain you are already aware, Toyota/Lexus V8 engines are, for the most part, pretty much bullet proof and will easily go 500K miles or more as long as you stick with the prescribed maintenance schedule and change your fluids and filters, of all types, religiously. Some engines, mostly V6's have had issues over the years but, the majority are tough and well engineered.
I operated a foreign automobile parts business for 37 years (my second career) and was always asked by people why I drove Toyota products, when the majority of my parts sales were for European marques. My response was two-fold.
"If you think about it, it should tell you something" and my favorite is....."If I had to survive by selling only Toyota parts, I would probably starve to death."

e-man

Thanks for the info. Very helpful.

My dealer is quoting me $1500 for the timing belt and water pump. They are quoting me an additional $510 for the timing belt tensioner ($120) and two pulleys ($180 and $210). Does that sound about right?

StefanoS

It doesn't sound right but, it does sound like a typical car dealer service charge. Once the front of the engine is disassembled, replacing the other two rollers and the hydraulic cylinder is very simple, basically a single bolt. The issue is that all repair services are done by a flat rate manual, that being, how long it takes the average mechanic takes to R & R a particular job. Most skilled technicians can knock off a job in right around half of the time that is specified. If you buy the kit from Amazon, you might think about finding an independent shop to provide the labor, if you want to save some additional cash. Some, however, will not let customers provide their own parts. If it were my Lexus, I would contact some local shops and tell them that you have an OEM Aisin (pronounced eye-seen) timing kit and ask them if they are willing to install it and what they would charge. Just a thought but, that is what I would do.