rmleavitt

Hi all,
According to the maintenance schedule, my 98 GS400 needs it's timing belt replaced. Does anyone know a great place where I can get it done in Illinois without having to pay the dealer prices?

DIrEctQL

The last time I went to Sound Performance. I would also recommend Dude's Performance. They work with lots of Lexus cars.

Chris

lexhq

Talk to Ronnie at Star Auto Repair in Oak Lawn -708 636-6200

jcm3

Ever get a price quote yet? I need to do mine too.

Lexota

Give Ron Potenzo a call at Potenzo Auto Repair . He was a Master Lexus Technician for McGrath Lexus
and now has his own shop. He is a very good mechanic and his prices are very fair. He is located in
Midlothian a south suburb of Chicago. His number is 708 396 0501. Tell him Bill with the white 98 LS sent you.

rmleavitt

Right this second my GS400 is at Dude’s Performance having its timing belt replaced. I really feel that I can trust them to do the job right and stand behind it. Plus Scott, who has a GS400 himself, is a really nice and fair guy. I should be able to pick my car up later today and I will let you all know how things went.

rmleavitt

My search for a trustworthy place to service my vehicle is over. All my needs were satisfied. Dude’s Performance gets an A+ for price, quality of service, and shop personality. I will recommend without hesitation that everyone takes their car to Dude’s performance. I know for a fact they will meet and in most cases exceed customer expectations. I have already referred my father to Dude’s Performance.

roguenode

Yeah, I know this is an old thread, but I'm looking for a shop in Illinois to do the following work and thought I'd try to contact Dude's Performance for a quote. But, the only number I can find (630) 736-1356 is no longer in service. Anyone know a current number, or if they are still around? I'm downstate in C-U and don't really trust anyone local to do the work.

Here's what I need done:

Timing Belt
Left and Right Idler Pulleys
Timing Belt Tensioner
Water Pump and Gasket
Front Crank Seal
Thermostat and Gasket
ATF drain and fill
Rear Diff. Fluid drain and fill
PS Fluid drain and fill
Coolant drain and fill

DIrEctQL

Dude's Performance went out of business. You can PM Scooter99 who worked there and now works at Lexus dealership. He can help you out.

Chris

roguenode

I see, thanks for the info.

I did get a quote on the work from Ron Potenzo of Potenzo Auto Repair that was very reasonable as well. I'll pm scooter99 and go from there.

chicagoblknazn

I'm gonna need mine done too.....pm me and let me know what goes down, please....thanks.

abdul10000

Hello everyone,


A friend of mine just started his shop full time after many years of experience in the industry. He worked on many Lexuses including my SC300. He is trustworthy and charges $75 an hour. If you live in or near Orland Park give him a call and arrange for a meeting. Get a feeling if you like to work with him. I know he likes to work on Lexus, the only thing he doesn't like about them is ordering Lexus parts. His phone number is 708-301-6233. Leave him a message if he doesn't answer and he will get back to you. You can tell him that Abdul on CL give you the lead if you want.

Ps. The shop is Euro Automotive and my friends name is Naser.

roguenode

Thanks to chicagoblknazn for the pm asking how my service went. My apologies for not following-up earlier (work was done 06/01/05). Here are the details...

Where I went:
Potenzo Auto Repair
4558 W. 147th Street
Midlothian, IL 60445
(708) 396-0501
(From what I understand, owner Ron Potenzo was a Lexus master tech at McGath lexus at one time)

What was done and cost breakdown (straight from my receipt):

Install new water pump, timing belt, front crank seak, thermostat, o-rings, and timing belt idler pully
Complete 90k systems check
Complete cooling system flush
Complete transmission service/flush also install friction additive
Complete Differential service
Install new cabin air filter
Complete power steering flush
(all OEM parts)

Parts cost breakdown:
water pump 124.65
timing belt 54.87
idler pully 74.94
o-rings 6.85
thermostat 15.58
front crank seal 8.05
cabin filter 35.00
trans fluid 38.00
friction additive 10.85
power steering fluid 8.05
anitfreeze 28.00
gear oil 12.25
gaskets 1.25
shop supplies 8.55
brake cleaner 2.85

Labor 755.00

Total 1,184,74

I was pleased with the shop, Ron's familiarity with the GS400, the price, time to perform the work, and the results. I've put 4k on the car since and it's been trouble-free and runs well.

Side note: One of Ron's customer's was there with an older toyota coupe in which they had dropped an imported twin turbo. He was getting some tuning done from what I understand. I don't recall much info on the car, but I did chat briefly with the owner and he was pleased with the swap. Evidently, the wiring harness was a pain as all wiring ran to the opposite side of the fw than normal, but they got it done.

chicagoblknazn

Great find....will utilze them soon for my mechanical needs. Thank god, I don't have to use the dealerships.

koolaidman

what u need done. i work at a lexus dealership and if u go through me ill make sure u have all lexus parts
if u want a 90 k service done witch is
timming belt
coolant
trans drain and fill
rear diff
front diff
transfercase
lof
air filter
water pump
for 800