Hello,

I have 75K on my 2001 RX 300 and I am already thinking about the 90K service...

What would you say absolutely needs to be done at 90K besides the timing belt???

I am trying to keep costs down and will have aToota dealer do the belt..

Spark Plugs are due at 120K...right???

Thanks,

 

There is no such thing as "Absolute minimum requirement". Most are recommended. Then there are items that you might as well to get an almost free ride on labor.

If you are wondering which item in the recommended list if not done, and it fails will cause catastrophic failure then it would be
Timing belt.

Other items like spark-plug, water-pump, acc-belts can leave you stranded but will not cause catastrophic failure.

You can ask the same question in another way ... what would other readers recommend at 90k ... conservative answer would be do the only items recommended by Lexus (not necessarily your dealer). Other extreme would be the items your dealer suggests, plus water pump.

Unfortunately there is no unanimous answer that every one agrees upon.

Salim

 

Thanks.....I have already done both belts....

I was thinking timing belt and maybe waterpump...

Was going to leave spark plugs for 120K...

What do others recommend at 90K?????

 

I had the timing belt done at Toyota dealer for about $320. They also inspected the water pump and suggested I didn't change it but would be more than willing to take my money if I wanted it changed. The tech also added that in his opinion I would be wasting my money changing it. He claimed the water pump on that engine never fails. Some of the other requirements at 90K are air filter, cabin filter (clean, wash, replace, or whatever you prefer), coolant drain and fill, brake fluid flush, oil and filter. And although not required, due to known trans problems, you should be on some sort of schedule for transmission fluid drain and fill.

 

And yes the sparks plugs should be fine all the way to 120k. I did mine then and they quite frankly looked great.

 

Thanks for the info,

I will probably only do the timimg belt at 90K...

Oil change/filter and air filter are easy DIY jobs...

I do drain and fills every 30K fpor trany fluid

 

Also dont neglect the brake fluid, coolant and power-steering fluid.

Salim

 

Thanks...

Are brake fluid, steering fluid and coolant easy DIY???

I have never changed these fluids before on my own...

Thanks for the reply

 

Brake fluid is easy, and I take it to a friend at a local dealer for disposal. I don't do coolant anymore because of environmental/recycling issues. I haven't done steering fluid, and dealer hasn't said anything about it. What does everyone think?

My plugs were more than ready to be changed by the time I got the RX at 115K -- I would have done it sooner. It's time consuming, but you can save a lot of money doing them yourself with the help of the threads on this forum. Just don't start them in the afternoon planning on going out later!

 

Yes, it's the timing belt plus all fluid and filter changes. Spark plugs are at 120K.

You can have all stuff done at Toyota, though it's not much cheaper than Lexus. Toyota is about $80 less for 90K when I shopped around, but they don't offer free loaner - which I need.

I'd avoid doing the brake fluid myself, since it requires special tools and know-how. (No mechanic would call it easy.) The average backyard mechanic can easily change the following: motor oil (though the filter could be a challenge), ATF, coolant, engine air filter, and cabin air filter.

By most local laws, any joint that sells the fluid must accept its recycling. (Unless the tank is full, which is a common excuse.)

 

Thanks,

I guess it will be the belt plus fluids....

 

"I'd avoid doing the brake fluid myself, since it requires special tools and know-how. (No mechanic would call it easy.)"

What makes it a hard job? I did not do mine yet but it looked pretty easy to me? I was going to get some speed bleeders and make it a one man job.

 

Go for it if you think brake fluid bleeding is easy.

 

I think I will leave the brake fluid to the pros....

 

I wouldn't be to concerned with the power steering fluid. It's not necessary to change it according to the RX owners manual, even if you go by the "special operating conditions" service recommendations. These recommendations do include fluids like transfer case and differential fluid which are not listed under normal operating conditions. I know those who make money by changing fluids will have many reasons for changing PS fluid.