Timing Belt: When do they fail?
04-23-09, 11:40 PM
#1
Timing Belt: When do they fail?
My 2000 GS4 has 38,000 on it. Lexus says to do it at I think 90k or 9 years? Well since I don't want to risk another Timing belt failure, I brought it in to Lexus to have it done. For the belt, pump and some o rings, was 750.00 with a 150 dollar off coupon I got from them. That's 900 bucks normally!
Seems kind of high to me, but whatever.
I had the techs save me the old belt. It looks perfect. No cracks, no wear. So, what have you guys seen with these when they let go? Do they typically snap or just shear off teeth?
On my Winter Beater Escort, the belt sheared off 5 teeth, but since it is non int, nothing happened.
On my brother's car, a Galant, the belt actually snapped in half, and the valve's and pistons did not kiss each other, so he was ok. But the belt wrapped around the crank taking out a bunch of stuff.
I expecting more cracking due to it's age, but this belt was perfect. I just pissed away that money, but I guess it's better to do it and not worry than not worry and have something fail? I dunno, I guess I'm just kind of bummed out about the whole deal.
Seems kind of high to me, but whatever.
I had the techs save me the old belt. It looks perfect. No cracks, no wear. So, what have you guys seen with these when they let go? Do they typically snap or just shear off teeth?
On my Winter Beater Escort, the belt sheared off 5 teeth, but since it is non int, nothing happened.
On my brother's car, a Galant, the belt actually snapped in half, and the valve's and pistons did not kiss each other, so he was ok. But the belt wrapped around the crank taking out a bunch of stuff.
I expecting more cracking due to it's age, but this belt was perfect. I just pissed away that money, but I guess it's better to do it and not worry than not worry and have something fail? I dunno, I guess I'm just kind of bummed out about the whole deal.
04-23-09, 11:48 PM
#2
Mmm...yea, you kinda spent money for nothing man 
If your car had 90k on it then it would have been time but if it's only got 38k you probably EASILY could have made it to 50k (at the rate your racking up miles) without spending the money but hey, it's done now so rest easy knowing your safe
If your car had 90k on it then it would have been time but if it's only got 38k you probably EASILY could have made it to 50k (at the rate your racking up miles) without spending the money but hey, it's done now so rest easy knowing your safe
04-24-09, 12:02 AM
#3
As far as I know and google is concerned , no one has ever reported having the timing belt actually fail on an interference Lexus engine. So these belts are extra tough. The closest I could find is this one:
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls4...nt-valves.html
which is actually the pulley breaking and not the belt.
But on the other hand, assuming you want to keep your GS for a long time, you're going to replace the belt at least once, don't get so bummed out that the belt isn't completely used up.
In other words, if you're going to keep the car 16years, might as well put 8years on belt1 8years on belt2, rather then 12years on belt1, 4years on belt2.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls4...nt-valves.html
which is actually the pulley breaking and not the belt.
But on the other hand, assuming you want to keep your GS for a long time, you're going to replace the belt at least once, don't get so bummed out that the belt isn't completely used up.
In other words, if you're going to keep the car 16years, might as well put 8years on belt1 8years on belt2, rather then 12years on belt1, 4years on belt2.
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04-24-09, 07:24 AM
#8
A belt is a belt. Amiright? And my Timing belt broke on my Escort at 200,000 miles. I have driven that car for 7 years with no problems whatsoever, besides that belt which was my fault. It’s been much more reliable than my GS. There are no balljoint problems, no highway vibrations, no expensive dealer parts, and if you smash it, who cares? Sure the GS is 1000 times nicer, but anyone that says American cars are junk can pound sand. I have had more issues with Japanese cars nickel and diming me than any Ford I have owned….especially my Acura Integra. My Mustang? I beat the **** out of it on the race track with no problems.
Don’t get me wrong, the GS is the best car I have ever owned, and I owned a 2000 M5, so I have not just owned old beat up shiat.
04-24-09, 08:12 AM
#9
1989 Mustang GT 5.0 5Spd 35kmi....Rod through the side of the block with a 3-2 downshift at 60mph while braking. The Oval sure does equal quality.
1992 Camaro Z28 5.7 L98, 20kmi every interior part shook, rattled, or vibrated. Head Gaskets made from Kleenex.
Its not the Heartbeat of America your hearing, its your dashboard.
1997 Monte Carlo Z34 3.4 DOHC, 28kmi...bye bye timing belt, water pump, 3 injectors, various sensors, calipers, wing flow off at 80mph...into nice new vette. It was in the shop, more than at my house.
I'm sorry, I will take a crappy Lexus or Toyota 9 out 10 times over a US designed and made car. I guess its just my luck as your luck was good with US cars.
Your Escort had a Mazda motor in it. Geo Prizms are still bombing around with 200k miles because the only part that is GM on that car, is the emblem.
1992 Camaro Z28 5.7 L98, 20kmi every interior part shook, rattled, or vibrated. Head Gaskets made from Kleenex.
Its not the Heartbeat of America your hearing, its your dashboard.
1997 Monte Carlo Z34 3.4 DOHC, 28kmi...bye bye timing belt, water pump, 3 injectors, various sensors, calipers, wing flow off at 80mph...into nice new vette. It was in the shop, more than at my house.
I'm sorry, I will take a crappy Lexus or Toyota 9 out 10 times over a US designed and made car. I guess its just my luck as your luck was good with US cars.
Your Escort had a Mazda motor in it. Geo Prizms are still bombing around with 200k miles because the only part that is GM on that car, is the emblem.
04-24-09, 09:04 AM
#10
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A belt is a belt. Amiright? And my Timing belt broke on my Escort at 200,000 miles. I have driven that car for 7 years with no problems whatsoever, besides that belt which was my fault. It’s been much more reliable than my GS. There are no balljoint problems, no highway vibrations, no expensive dealer parts, and if you smash it, who cares? Sure the GS is 1000 times nicer, but anyone that says American cars are junk can pound sand. I have had more issues with Japanese cars nickel and diming me than any Ford I have owned….especially my Acura Integra. My Mustang? I beat the **** out of it on the race track with no problems.
Don’t get me wrong, the GS is the best car I have ever owned, and I owned a 2000 M5, so I have not just owned old beat up shiat.
Don’t get me wrong, the GS is the best car I have ever owned, and I owned a 2000 M5, so I have not just owned old beat up shiat.
04-24-09, 10:27 AM
#11
Mmm...yea, you kinda spent money for nothing man
If your car had 90k on it then it would have been time but if it's only got 38k you probably EASILY could have made it to 50k (at the rate your racking up miles) without spending the money but hey, it's done now so rest easy knowing your safe
If your car had 90k on it then it would have been time but if it's only got 38k you probably EASILY could have made it to 50k (at the rate your racking up miles) without spending the money but hey, it's done now so rest easy knowing your safe
04-24-09, 11:21 AM
#12
1989 Mustang GT 5.0 5Spd 35kmi....Rod through the side of the block with a 3-2 downshift at 60mph while braking. The Oval sure does equal quality.
1992 Camaro Z28 5.7 L98, 20kmi every interior part shook, rattled, or vibrated. Head Gaskets made from Kleenex.
Its not the Heartbeat of America your hearing, its your dashboard.
1997 Monte Carlo Z34 3.4 DOHC, 28kmi...bye bye timing belt, water pump, 3 injectors, various sensors, calipers, wing flow off at 80mph...into nice new vette. It was in the shop, more than at my house.
I'm sorry, I will take a crappy Lexus or Toyota 9 out 10 times over a US designed and made car. I guess its just my luck as your luck was good with US cars.
Your Escort had a Mazda motor in it. Geo Prizms are still bombing around with 200k miles because the only part that is GM on that car, is the emblem.
1992 Camaro Z28 5.7 L98, 20kmi every interior part shook, rattled, or vibrated. Head Gaskets made from Kleenex.
Its not the Heartbeat of America your hearing, its your dashboard.
1997 Monte Carlo Z34 3.4 DOHC, 28kmi...bye bye timing belt, water pump, 3 injectors, various sensors, calipers, wing flow off at 80mph...into nice new vette. It was in the shop, more than at my house.
I'm sorry, I will take a crappy Lexus or Toyota 9 out 10 times over a US designed and made car. I guess its just my luck as your luck was good with US cars.
Your Escort had a Mazda motor in it. Geo Prizms are still bombing around with 200k miles because the only part that is GM on that car, is the emblem.
The 302 is a very good motor. I've beat the **** out of mine for 10+ years and never had a problem like that. My guess is that your motor was junk to begin with. The only weak spot is the block WHEN you push 550+ hp. Other than that if you don't drive like a tard and you don't lean it out, they are great reliable motors.
My Escort has a 1.9L not the 1.8 Mazda.
And I don't care about your comparisons to any GM vehicles. It's no secret that GM has the fit and finish of garbage.
04-24-09, 01:09 PM
#13
Look at you getting all mad from a forum post. Heaven forbid someone talking smack about your beloved FoMoCo cars. 
The gearing was changed but not 4.10, 3.73 or something in that range, stock 302 block, long tubes, heads, intake, Some other things I cant remember cause it was almost 13 years ago. Yes I bought the car used and absolutely it could and probably was beat on before.
It happened, motor said bye bye. No. 2 rod snapped destroying the entire cylinder, requiring me to buy a new block. Call BS if you like, I could really care less. After that block was replaced, I couldnt wait to get rid of it.
I can tell you one thing though...If a mechanic told me I needed the timing belt changed on a under 50K mile Lexus. I would laugh and say show me, not just hand over the cash and whine about it later.
The gearing was changed but not 4.10, 3.73 or something in that range, stock 302 block, long tubes, heads, intake, Some other things I cant remember cause it was almost 13 years ago. Yes I bought the car used and absolutely it could and probably was beat on before.
It happened, motor said bye bye. No. 2 rod snapped destroying the entire cylinder, requiring me to buy a new block. Call BS if you like, I could really care less. After that block was replaced, I couldnt wait to get rid of it.
I can tell you one thing though...If a mechanic told me I needed the timing belt changed on a under 50K mile Lexus. I would laugh and say show me, not just hand over the cash and whine about it later.
04-24-09, 07:24 PM
#15
Look at you getting all mad from a forum post. Heaven forbid someone talking smack about your beloved FoMoCo cars.
The gearing was changed but not 4.10, 3.73 or something in that range, stock 302 block, long tubes, heads, intake, Some other things I cant remember cause it was almost 13 years ago. Yes I bought the car used and absolutely it could and probably was beat on before.
It happened, motor said bye bye. No. 2 rod snapped destroying the entire cylinder, requiring me to buy a new block. Call BS if you like, I could really care less. After that block was replaced, I couldnt wait to get rid of it.
I can tell you one thing though...If a mechanic told me I needed the timing belt changed on a under 50K mile Lexus. I would laugh and say show me, not just hand over the cash and whine about it later.
The gearing was changed but not 4.10, 3.73 or something in that range, stock 302 block, long tubes, heads, intake, Some other things I cant remember cause it was almost 13 years ago. Yes I bought the car used and absolutely it could and probably was beat on before.
It happened, motor said bye bye. No. 2 rod snapped destroying the entire cylinder, requiring me to buy a new block. Call BS if you like, I could really care less. After that block was replaced, I couldnt wait to get rid of it.
I can tell you one thing though...If a mechanic told me I needed the timing belt changed on a under 50K mile Lexus. I would laugh and say show me, not just hand over the cash and whine about it later.
No mechanic told me anything. I did it just to do it since I have had belts break on me before. And it's only a small amount. And lolz at your whining comment, I said I was bummed out. LERN TO REED D00D