Timing Belt Service - Need Advice
#16
#17
Here are my thoughts on replacement of various things related to t-belt on RX300. Please note these are just my suggestions and there is no long-term analysis done by me, People should consult Lexus.
T-belt 95kmiles
water pump 190k miles (using Toyota coolant)
ideller 95k
tensioner & tensioner roller 190k
Cam seals 190k
Salim
T-belt 95kmiles
water pump 190k miles (using Toyota coolant)
ideller 95k
tensioner & tensioner roller 190k
Cam seals 190k
Salim
#18
Moderator
#19
Moderator
Lexus calls them
idler pulley no1 & no2. [No1 is the one pushed by tensioner]
Sorry for causing confusion [may be Lexus terminology is more confusing :^)]
Salim
Last edited by salimshah; 11-15-12 at 07:44 PM.
#21
Lexus Champion
Depends on the dealer. They are certainly capable since the mechanicals of both are quite similar. Some will freely work on Lexus and others will reduse to do so. It may have to do with whether they have the same owner and he doesn't want to siphon work from the more expensive Lexus shop or whether he's been told or encouraged by Toyota to keep hands off of the Lexus work. He may feel loyalty to Lexus and do the "hands off" on his own.. Some do the "fair" thing and take whatever T/L work that comes in the driveway. Only way to find out is call the local Toyota dealer and ask. You'll be money ahead if he does.
#22
Right, I do remember that now although I do not think of it as a test procedure, per se. Have you ever seen one of these hydraulic piston tensioners fail?
#23
Moderator
There has been one post about the tensioner failing. Wear on this part is dependent on driver's habit of revving the engine and wear on the tip. Larger kits (not just the basic belt), include this offering. And I wanted to make the list of things to consider as comprehensive as I could.
I dont intend to give up on my RX for a while, so I am seriously considering replacing some things premptively @190k (2 pulleys, tensioner, cam-seals and water-pump ... only pulley2 was replaced at 90k). This is just my gut call
Salim
#24
If anyone has found a mechanic they love in Los Angeles, I'd love the recommendation.
#25
Driver School Candidate
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: MN
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I just got a quote from Lexus dealer for a timing belt. My car is at 95,000 miles. This my DD.
$850
Timing Belt
Drive belt
water pump
Toyota dealer
$750 ball park
I might just do it myself.....Watching the youtube video...
$850
Timing Belt
Drive belt
water pump
Toyota dealer
$750 ball park
I might just do it myself.....Watching the youtube video...
#26
My dealer in Santa Monica - $2,200. These jokers must do nothing other than warranty work.
#27
Moderator
Just be aware that the vvti are not as straight forward.
Get access to service manual as the video can make it look lot simpler.
Salim
Get access to service manual as the video can make it look lot simpler.
Salim
#28
Lexus Champion
If you have any mechanicl abilit5y it is a doable job. If no mechanical ability, don't try it yourself! Just make sure and do your learning BEFORE you start, not during! I would recommend repacing the lower tensioner pulley even if you don't replace the tensioner or upper idler pulley. All original OEM parts can be obtained online for a fraction of the retail price. I wouldn't use ANYTHING but OEM parts.
#29
Driver School Candidate
Copied from another Forum. The RX300 operates a "non-interference" engine which means that if the timing belt breaks you'll be left stranded in need of a tow but you won't experience the catastrophic engine damage described above that would occur if it had an "interference" engine.
#7972 of 9489 Timing Belt by bentwrench
Jan 27, 2004 (3:53 pm)
The horror stories which you reference occur when a timing belt breaks on an engine termed an "interference" engine. This means that when the belt breaks and one or more valves are left in a fixed open position, the piston on its upward stroke will contact the valve(s), damaging the valves and possibly the piston. Hence the term interference engine. On a non-interference engine, design is such that there is still clearance between the valve and piston regardless of where in the cycle the valve fails open. Therefore no damage. The RX 300 is a non-interference engine and therefore no catastrophic damage on breakage. Just left stranded.
#7972 of 9489 Timing Belt by bentwrench
Jan 27, 2004 (3:53 pm)
The horror stories which you reference occur when a timing belt breaks on an engine termed an "interference" engine. This means that when the belt breaks and one or more valves are left in a fixed open position, the piston on its upward stroke will contact the valve(s), damaging the valves and possibly the piston. Hence the term interference engine. On a non-interference engine, design is such that there is still clearance between the valve and piston regardless of where in the cycle the valve fails open. Therefore no damage. The RX 300 is a non-interference engine and therefore no catastrophic damage on breakage. Just left stranded.
#30
Moderator
There is some misinformation floating around.
Please do not believe everything that is on the net ... including this one
VVT engines are interfering type.
Salim
Please do not believe everything that is on the net ... including this one
VVT engines are interfering type.
Salim