mzeitlin

For those that have done it - How long did it take you to change the Timing Belt on a ES300?
What was the toughest step?

Thanks -

BDSL

When I did my timing, I also changed the water pump, cam seals, crank front seal, all idlers, valve cover gaskets, thermostat, coolant, etc..etc....took me about +10 hours. However, I was working a few hours here and there. And I took my time applying the right torque, and applying anti-seize / loctite on fasteners.

If you are doing just the timing belt, I would say 3 hours.....

mzeitlin

Thanks for the reply - when you did the timing belt work, was there any problem areas to be on the watch for - such as working through the wheel well to get to the lower area?

PlatES300

iTrader: (1)

the hardest part was getting all the bolts and things loose. the camshaft bolt and crank pulley took the longest to get off. I've done it 3 times and if all the nuts and bolts come off as planned, then about 4 hours tops.

BDSL

I did it a few years ago....
I have a 97 ES300 and some of the fasteners haven't been removed since from factory. As a precaution, I sprayed WD40 and let them soaked for a while before putting a wrench/ratchet on them.

I agree with PlatES300. The bolts holding the cam sprockets took a while. But if you are not replacing the cam seals, you don't have to worry about it.

OceanView

Do you replace the cam seals only if they are leaking or is this a preventative maintenance item?

GS4_Fiend

iTrader: (22)

Hardest part would be doing the cam/crank seals and the water pump.

BDSL

At the time, my car had almost 200k miles but there was no oil leak at the cam seals.
It was just preventative.