codger

Just bought a 99 ES, 80000 mile beauty and am wondering if valve clearance is of the interference or non-interference kind. Am planning on inspecting belt for wear but probably will change belt and water pump regardless since previous available records don't show anything. Also, have heard that after market water pumps aren't always the best. Any comments to this new member would be much appreciated!

hypervish

Welcome to Club Lexus!

Yes, the 99' is interference. That is when they introduced VVT-I which made it interference.

Stick with OEM parts. You can buy a timing belt kit on ebay or amazon, they include everything needed to do the job right.

canucklehe

a good spot to look is on the timing belt cover. Lexus dealers usually put a sticker on there to identify the mileage when it was done.

sux that it is interference engine. I would have guessed non interference, but I definitely do not know that and would defer to hypervish.

MikeLex

One of the so-called AISIN kits (Aisin water pump, Koyo tensioner, Koyo idler pulley and Mitsuboshi timing belt) for about $150 seems to be very popular in this forum. How long will these parts last? Certainly not like the stock ones ($350). The main cost of the timing belt job is labor though.

canucklehe

i think this link will also tell you what kind of timing belt you have.

http://apicdn.viglink.com/api/click?...amp%3Bpage%3D2
__________________

canucklehe

according to that link for gates belts, your engine is non-interference. I also checked that link for my old 86 honda prelude, which i knew was an interference engine, and it showed it as such, so I think their info is accurate.

MikeLex

Unfortunately, I am afraid their info is not accurte, at least in this case. The 1MZ-FE engine can be both interference an non-interference, depending on if it is VVT-i or not, respectively.

canucklehe

so codger should check and see which engine he has?

that is scarey that their info would be inaccurate like that. they did not offer any options for the potentially different engines.

hypervish

Like I said, VVT-I was introduced in 99' for the ES300. So his ES has it, which makes it interference.

MrShim78

So, a 1997 es300's engine is non interference?

codger

Thanks for responses. I think that I'll go with hypervish's suggestions and advice. Have an appointment this morning to get belts, water pump etc. changed with local mechanic using OEM parts.

canucklehe

I checked that link again and tried 99, 2000 & 01. all 3 showed non interference. sure makes Gates sound unreliable if they don't have their info straight.