lomarica

I have a 07 es350 and the Warranty manual on page 69 does not list the es350 under either a timing belt or chain. The manual does list a bunch of over models.

so what do we have a belt or chain and at what mileage does it need to be replaced? the manual says the chain does not need to be inspected so I assume that means not replaced also

I did a search and could not find anything in this forum
thanks

dreyfus

Our cars have a timing chain. I wouldn't even think about replacing it before 150,000 miles.

MadMax96

Pretty sure this engine has a timing chain.

If it had a timing belt it would have to be replaced at a certain interval and would be mentioned in the manual.

Chains usually don't have to be replaced at intervals like belts.

Upside? No huge bill for the service. On my '99 LS that had a belt the service would run about $1k. Thankfully I purchased after it was done and got rid of it before it was due again.

Downside? Chains are generally a bit noisier than belts.

dreyfus

And if a chain goes it takes valves, gears, and a whole host of other expensive parts with it. I had one go on my '72 Celica and it cost me almost an entire engine rebuild.

But chains do last longer.

Akachan LS

I've driven engines with belts and chains and cannot tell which one is quieter. The like the fact that a chain is less maintenance and thus the less likely chance an incompetent mechanic will do shoddy work on it.

I believe according to Toyota, if the engine has been properly maintained (ie: regular oil changes) that the chain should last the life of the engine. The only question is what do they really mean by the word "life"?

micosan

Timing Chain

ThumperPup

i know this is bringing back a old threat from a few years back but
i am just looking into things
and realized now its a chian i thought the dealer service tech told me back last summer when i asked about this if it had a chian or belt
and they told me that the ES and RX 350s in 2007 had a belt
so now i guess i was wrong
so this is a chain correct ?

i was looking on automd at quats for this service when i do need to have it done i don't think i am there yet but just was curious about this in my mind so i looked it said it recommended a WP be replaced at the same time as the timing chain and it gave me a price of like 3k for the job
like 16 hrs labor for the chain another 10 hours for the pump or something like that
i know i was getting an expensive car but wow 3k for a service that they said i shoudl get at 90k ?

LexBob2

2007+ have a chain.

ThumperPup

how much in this day and age should i look at for getting it replaced also is there really a suggested time frame on when to get it done like someone told me that if it was a chain or belt i forget but something like 90k i have 72k now so does that mean that in 18k miles im going to need to fork out 3k for the job ?

LexBob2

Timing chains don't need preventive replacement. They should last the life of the car if all goes well.

ThumperPup

Ok cool thanks for the info here helps me a lot to feel better

christcorp

As mentioned, you don't replace a timing chain as a routine maintenance procedure. You only replace it if: A) It breaks. You'll definitely know if it breaks because you'll have a lot of other problems and the engine won't run. or B) If the engine loses it's power and the timing retards and can't be adjusted either manually or by the computer. Basically, the car will run like crap and pretty much nothing else will fix it. Other than that, the timing chain will last the life of the vehicle.

And anyone that even puts a "Mileage" number down as when you "Might Think of Changing it"; simply doesn't know what they're talking about. You only replace it because you have to. It broke or it's totally stretched and the engine runs like crap. Of course, if the tensioner breaks, that too could take out the chain. But if you service your vehicle properly, the timing chain is about the last thing you'll ever have to worry about.

igzy

I am yet to see one go on a Toyota/Lexus. When I owned GM cars, I had 2 break on me, both at about 120K miles on 3.1L V6 engines. On one the link let go and on the other the tensioner broke and jammed into the chain and broke it. The second case also bent some valves. Again, from all the Toyota/Lexus cars we owned between me and family, the chain was never a problem...