Has anyone had a timing belt break?
01-23-12, 07:33 AM
#32
My timing belt was replaced @ 146,000 KM (recommended 144,000). No pulleys or water pump replaced (were OK as per Mechanic).
To me belt looked OK, but mechanic said it became too soft it's good time to replace it.
To me belt looked OK, but mechanic said it became too soft it's good time to replace it.
11-08-13, 08:34 AM
#33
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I don't know where it is listed as "non-inteference" unless you are looking at the Gates site.
My friend is a Toyota Master Diagnostic Tech/ASE Master Tech/L-1. I chatted with him to confirm. His exact quote was "it is a valve muncher and I have seen them break around 125K; I would replace around 105K with the idlers and water pump."
Also, Autodata (page 868) lists the 2004 3MZ-FE engine as an Interference Engine.
BTW, he wanted me to add, "Oh, the valves don't bend, they break, the tops fall off, lay in the cylinder and they will destroy the heads and pistons"
My friend is a Toyota Master Diagnostic Tech/ASE Master Tech/L-1. I chatted with him to confirm. His exact quote was "it is a valve muncher and I have seen them break around 125K; I would replace around 105K with the idlers and water pump."
Also, Autodata (page 868) lists the 2004 3MZ-FE engine as an Interference Engine.
BTW, he wanted me to add, "Oh, the valves don't bend, they break, the tops fall off, lay in the cylinder and they will destroy the heads and pistons"
P.s. They also sold me a car with bad cats, apparently Lexus put out a Bulletin stating that the cat produces an odor and they are aware of it. So they know they put bad cats in these cars but because they told everyone about it its ok, pretty screwed up I think.
11-08-13, 09:00 AM
#34
I have a question, I am panicking and I need some piece of mind. ...I have an 05 rx330 and I bought it with 85k, it cane with 40 pages of maintenence records because it was owned by the proverbial little old lady. I haven't even had it for 2 years and have 111k on it. I haven't had the belt done yet because of monetary situations and am not trying to do one thing at a time. My question is in the meantime should I be as worried as I am about the belt breaking? The mechanics keep telling me it will break very soon are they screwing with me and trying to rip me off or is this thing gonna go when I am on the turnpike?
P.s. They also sold me a car with bad cats, apparently Lexus put out a Bulletin stating that the cat produces an odor and they are aware of it. So they know they put bad cats in these cars but because they told everyone about it its ok, pretty screwed up I think.
P.s. They also sold me a car with bad cats, apparently Lexus put out a Bulletin stating that the cat produces an odor and they are aware of it. So they know they put bad cats in these cars but because they told everyone about it its ok, pretty screwed up I think.
I will say, age has a big factor in the belt life as well. If our car was 3-4 years older than it is now, I would have changed the belt already even if it had the same miles so take that info into consideration.
11-08-13, 09:48 AM
#35
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I have a question, I am panicking and I need some piece of mind. ...I have an 05 rx330 and I bought it with 85k, it cane with 40 pages of maintenence records because it was owned by the proverbial little old lady. I haven't even had it for 2 years and have 111k on it. I haven't had the belt done yet because of monetary situations and am not trying to do one thing at a time. My question is in the meantime should I be as worried as I am about the belt breaking? The mechanics keep telling me it will break very soon are they screwing with me and trying to rip me off or is this thing gonna go when I am on the turnpike?
P.s. They also sold me a car with bad cats, apparently Lexus put out a Bulletin stating that the cat produces an odor and they are aware of it. So they know they put bad cats in these cars but because they told everyone about it its ok, pretty screwed up I think.
P.s. They also sold me a car with bad cats, apparently Lexus put out a Bulletin stating that the cat produces an odor and they are aware of it. So they know they put bad cats in these cars but because they told everyone about it its ok, pretty screwed up I think.
When the belts break, it is usually at the worst time. I had an Accord and it broke when I was passing someone ... kind of scary. The friend I mentioned earlier in the thread advises to replace the timing belt between 110-120K. The water pump is your call.
I use a shop that specializes in Toyota/Lexus and they charge $199 for the V6 timing belt replacement (OEM parts); a pretty fair price. This does not include the water pump, coolant flush, shop supplies, etc. Perhaps you can find a shop that specializes in Toyota and get a similar price?
BTW, Lexus wanted about 4-5 times that much for the same service.
11-08-13, 10:05 AM
#36
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IMO I wouldn't play around with the timing belt. Get it changed right at the interval that the manufacturer calls for or before. If the belt snaps you'll be looking at a lot more then a water pump T belt and coolant.
11-08-13, 01:17 PM
#37
When the belts break, it is usually at the worst time. I had an Accord and it broke when I was passing someone ... kind of scary. The friend I mentioned earlier in the thread advises to replace the timing belt between 110-120K. The water pump is your call.
I use a shop that specializes in Toyota/Lexus and they charge $199 for the V6 timing belt replacement (OEM parts); a pretty fair price. This does not include the water pump, coolant flush, shop supplies, etc. Perhaps you can find a shop that specializes in Toyota and get a similar price?
BTW, Lexus wanted about 4-5 times that much for the same service.
I use a shop that specializes in Toyota/Lexus and they charge $199 for the V6 timing belt replacement (OEM parts); a pretty fair price. This does not include the water pump, coolant flush, shop supplies, etc. Perhaps you can find a shop that specializes in Toyota and get a similar price?
BTW, Lexus wanted about 4-5 times that much for the same service.
I am going to tackle this job myself over xmas and write a DIY.
Last edited by alchemist; 11-11-13 at 07:58 AM.
11-11-13, 07:39 AM
#38
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Where did u get that price ? Trying to find a place in PA ti do it that cheap. It's not for lack of want is for lack of funds so this would greatly help me.
When the belts break, it is usually at the worst time. I had an Accord and it broke when I was passing someone ... kind of scary. The friend I mentioned earlier in the thread advises to replace the timing belt between 110-120K. The water pump is your call.
Where did u get that quote? I am trying to find a place in PA that will do it that cheap! It's not for lack of want that I am not replacing it, it's lack of funds so this would help me greatly.
I use a shop that specializes in Toyota/Lexus and they charge $199 for the V6 timing belt replacement (OEM parts); a pretty fair price. This does not include the water pump, coolant flush, shop supplies, etc. Perhaps you can find a shop that specializes in Toyota and get a similar price?
BTW, Lexus wanted about 4-5 times that much for the same service.
Where did u get that quote? I am trying to find a place in PA that will do it that cheap! It's not for lack of want that I am not replacing it, it's lack of funds so this would help me greatly.
I use a shop that specializes in Toyota/Lexus and they charge $199 for the V6 timing belt replacement (OEM parts); a pretty fair price. This does not include the water pump, coolant flush, shop supplies, etc. Perhaps you can find a shop that specializes in Toyota and get a similar price?
BTW, Lexus wanted about 4-5 times that much for the same service.
11-11-13, 05:01 PM
#39
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I am not sure if it helps, but here is a link to their specials: http://toycarcare.com/specials/
11-11-13, 09:46 PM
#40
Definitely wouldn't stress going over a TB interval on any Lexus... these things are made for 'more' than exact mileages.
I'm thinking the one on my ES is due soon, but I'm no where near the mileage portion, so I may just keep on truckin, maybe inspect it this summer and eventually change the belt itself.
I'm thinking the one on my ES is due soon, but I'm no where near the mileage portion, so I may just keep on truckin, maybe inspect it this summer and eventually change the belt itself.
01-19-14, 03:59 PM
#43
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I never, ever heard of a timing belt breaking on anything ever. For those who can't sleep at nights worrying , change it. A good nights sleep is important. If you must worry, worry about something not as stupid as a timing belts..
01-19-14, 04:30 PM
#44
Absolutely. As I have said before talk to a lexus service advisor and they will tell you. I have heard of only 2 Toyota vehicles breaking belt. One was a 99 rx with 200k miles and original belt and other was a Toyota 4 runner belt that broke at 230k, also original belt
01-19-14, 05:57 PM
#45
not the serpentine belt, believed he had a seized idler wheel of timing belt resulting in breaking. car just stop, cannot be start again.