doc s

My 2002 SC430 has 85000 miles and I'm going to have the timing belt replaced soon. The local AAA approved shop, which has serviced a number of Sc430's in our area, uses a NAPA parts package for replacement. Can anyone weigh in on how they feel about factory parts as opposed to non factory parts and if they've gone this route before with the timing belt replacement.

Scarletti

I suspect that the labour element of changing the timing belt far outweighs the cost of the part.

If I can find it I'll post the labour/parts cost breakdown from when I had mine done. It may help you ponder which way to go even though I'm in the UK and it was a main dealer who did the work (so likely to be pricey compared to your shop in any case)

jzwu

Amazon has a timing belt kit for the sc430 for $100 something.

kjcole

Agree that the parts cost are less significant than the labor. I did the job myself and bought an OEM timing belt kit from ebay.

Belt, idler and pulley, water pump, gaskets, and hydraulic tensioner all Aisin OEM for about $200 ish. Top quality since Lexus selected them for OEM.

for example:http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lexus-GS400-...ht_4699wt_1186

I bought the kit with the thermostat and serpentine belt added in for around $300. Keep the old serpentine in the trunk. Can change it with a shop towel and no wrenches! (neat trick - ask me if you aren't familiar).

e.g., http://www.ebay.com/itm/LEXUS-SC430-...#ht_1769wt_952

Harold57

Okay kjcole, spill it, enough with the teasing.

So, how do you change the belt with a towel and no tools?

kjcole

Get the belt seated on all the pulleys/idlers but #2 (that's the little one at the top - see attachment). Use the towel like a sling to hold the belt on one side or the other of pulley #2, and then lift up on the belt with the towel so you pull the towel (and belt) up and along the business surface of pulley #2 as if the towel were the belt traveling on the pulley. Will take some force but not as much as you think. As the belt lifts on it will pinch the towel (because it is now between the belt and pulley), but just keep pulling in the direction of belt travel so the towel exits the pulley on the other side. When the towel comes out the other side the belt is on and obviously you can let go of the towel. It only works because lifting strongly on the belt with the towel generates enough tension in the belt to depress the tensioner pulley. it does chew up the towel a little, but dang if it doesn't work. Especially useful on transverse engines where the tensioner bolt is hidden.

Kelly

Harold57

Definitely worth knowing for emergency situations. Thanks Kelly.

JPBJR

What a great tip. Thanks much.

JoeVinnie

Just had my timing belt changed today at the dealer as they were running a "special". They charged $895.95 of which $422.59 was parts and labor was listed as $727.41 less discount of $254.05 to get it back to the $895 price. This included the t-belt, antifreeze, gaskets, water pump assy., O rings, thermostat, thermostat, gasket, and V-ribbed belt.

I am sure I could have saved a few bucks going to an independent shop but I felt it was worth the extra to insure it is done right. And they gave a loaner which helped a lot.

Joe in Seattle
2002 SC 430 Black; Ecru

Harold57

That's a good price, especially from a dealer.