coppens1

Dear Lexus ES300 owners, My 98 Lexus ES300 finally clicked over 180,000 miles, so I had the timing belt, water pump, and rear brake pads replaced. They had been replaced at 90,000 miles. The timing belt looked just like new, before I replaced it. The brake pads, replaced at 100,000 miles before, were only half worn down.

The cost, from a part time mechanic, was $433.

I would like to hear other owners experience with the 180K replacement. Has anyone gone 180K without replacing the timing belt even once?

JC

Hayk

iTrader: (1)

There was a thread just a few days ago with somebody having 200k on the original belt, due to a bad service station.

coppens1

Dear Mr. Booby, You and I have exactly the same model 98 ES300. Color is exactly the same. How many miles on yours? Does your radio/CD/tape player display still work?

My right front side window won't go down using the passenger switch, only using the driver's switch.

I recently had to have my wiring harness to the trunk lid replaced. The backup lights, license plate lights, and trunk lid switch wouldn't work. JC

coppens1

So in other words, the service station didn't change the belt when instructed to do so? Do you have the location of the posting?

Lupercal

Hi. I'm new here. I'm from Tasmania, tthough I've lived in the USA. Ii was curious about something re this thread. Are you saying that in the USA,Lexus recommend timing belt replacement at 90,000 mile intervals on late 90s ES300's?

In Australia the manual recommends 60k KILOMETERS (about 35k miles) for heavy use, with no mention of any alternative for 'regular' conditions. It always struck me as weird, since it's the same engine as the v6 Camry (essentially), and Toyota suggest 100k KILOMETERS, rising to 150k in the 02-05 model.

Re. the original question, I drove a 97 ES300 with over 280 kilometres clocked up, and no record in the logbook of EVER changing the belt. I'm inclined to believe it, as there were other signs of neglect (oil light stayed on for a couple of minutes on starting). Why anyone would spend 70k AU on a car, then treat it like that is pretty unfathomable, but such people walk amongst us.

Loop

coppens1

Dear Tasmania, yes, the US manual recommends replacement at 90,000 miles. I am surprised by the difference in the recommended interval. 280 k kilometers calculates at 168,000 miles. The ES models are excellent cars if cared for. US Magazine Consumers Report rates them at the top.
JC

lostape45

Yes you are correct, but remember it is 90,000/6 years, whichever comes first. The belt will still age even if it isn't driven as much

BDSL

I had a 97 ES300 which had (I believe) the rear main seal went at +280k miles. I changed my belt every 90k miles.

Even though there are people out there who had no issues with not changing the timing belt at 180k miles, I would still change it according to manufacturer's specification. When the belt breaks, the engine would suddenly shut down, you will lose vacuum assist braking and power steering....and potentially right in the middle of a highway.

There are people who don't wear seat belts and they are "okay". Does it make it right?

ES300NZ

I've had timing belts break while driving, it's fine. totally controllable. That said, a well maintained car always rewards it's owner. just saying :P

Hayk

iTrader: (1)

Completely missed your message. My radio needed some work to get it looking new again. Check out my DIY guide in my signature.

Qwerty321

I personally havn't done it knowingly. But I recently just bought a 1999 Windom (ES300) with the 1MZ-FE (VVTi version) and my cars clocked about 190k (km not miles) and there's no record of a cam belt change. In fact there's no sticker or anything either, so it's quite likely my car's never had a cam belt change. I'm getting mine replaced in about a week, but $433 is pretty decent. I got quoted $800 NZD, which is about $623 US to have mine done. The costliest quote I got was from the dealer, who asked for $930 US.

Actually, we're told here to change timing belts every 90,000 KM and you guys are told to change every 90,000 Miles... how does that work?

Though if you have the VVTi 1MZ-FE, it's an interference engine, so a timing belt snap would likely kill your engine, and probably your wallet too.

satiger

iTrader: (1)

Mine is 2000 ES. At 90k, I replaced both timing belt and water pump among other things. There is a thread about that 90k service.

At 180k, I replaced only the timing belt. Currently I am with 236k and keep going......

lostape45

I bought mine at 147k with the owner unsure if he had replaced the timing belt or water pump. It may have never had either replaced or it may have had them done at the regular interval. Needless to say, that was the first thing I had done to the car just in case, so mines practically brand new.

ES300NZ

deader than a road kill dodo.

BDSL

But if you live/drive in a major city, it is not fine.
Other drivers will not let you merge into their lanes.
You will have a hard time changing lanes with no power steering and assisted braking...while the vehicle is rolling to a stop.
And if you are on a major highway, there is a chance you will not make it to the shoulder....