shirkes330

So I've been really busy with work and college and haven't been on here too much lately but I have a few new things to mention!!!
1. I'm finally finishing fixing her up completely.
Took her to my Toyota dealer and had a full diagnostic run on her and turns out all of my clunking noise was my rear struts, sway bar links and a full set of break pads and rotors I'm getting all of this done this week
2. So according to Lexus of Dublin they have no record of my car ever having the timing belt, water pump, thermostat or drive belt replaced and from what I hear on here I'm skating on thin ice just driving it every day. I found a complete oem Toyota kit for $298
Link below
http://item.mobileweb.ebay.com/viewitem?itemId=390391453557&kw=390391453557
How much did everybody else pay for there timing belt and such servicing, Lexus told me it could cost close to $1200 but if the kit seems legit I'm going to take it to my personal mechanic and have him do it!
TIA

LScowboyLS

you can get the kit of the original OEM Toyota parts for $185 here

the kit I linked to is completely legit, it is the exact same parts that are on your car now, same manufacturers!

the big question is not with the kit but with your mechanic, is he adept at timing belts? - does he know why you take it to 50 degrees off of TDC while you are doing it? - has he done a lot of Lexus and Toyota water pumps/timing belts?

Only you and he can answer that.

PS - $1200 is probably on the low side for what a Lexus dealer would charge to sell and install all of these necessary parts. - and if you are over 120K on the original 16 year old timing belt, then you are on VERY thin ice!

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

that package doesnt have a tensioner, just a tensioner bearing.

pick up a tensioner too.

billydpowe

iTrader: (1)

we have done 5 of these and never done the 50 degrees operation. just line up the marks, remove and reinstall the belt...... no problems, all the problems I read about are with the 50.......

shirkes330

Do they change the serpentine belt at the same time at the timing belt because my serpentine looks really good. It's so frustrating that Lexus doesn't keep well worded descriptions of service on their website.

LScowboyLS

good catch!

here is a link to the correct tensioner

shirkes330

So can I just replace my timing belt itself not everything else with it?

billydpowe

iTrader: (1)

Here is what I have replaced on the 5 I have done.. both cam seals, crank seal, water pump, timing belt, with bearings & gaskets.... no leaks..

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

I thought you didnt do the cam seals on the '98+ cars you did since the cams have to come out...?

shirkes330

Okay I know your supposed to replace all of that but... I'm a little tight on money and I need to replace the front struts on my LS so would it hurt if just for now I just replace the belt then come back for the rest later?

ariasuriah

Definitely do the water pump as well. I would do the job right and replace everything suggested above way before even considering the front struts. It's your car though. Good luck.

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

your car will be drivable with blown front shocks.

it won't be drivable if anything in the timing belt area breaks....

priorities man.....

billydpowe

iTrader: (1)

true, I was talking about 95-97 engines,. I have never replaced any 98 & up cam seals

trukn1

Minimum,,,,TB and water pump. As Puredrifter stated, have to prioritize since oney is tight. Put it inn another perspective. Blowing an engine b/c timing belt or another component in the TB area, on an interference engine, snaps = undrivable car. Having to live with blown shocks a little while longer while you re-coup from the TB maintenance = slight annoyance/inconvenience but still drivable.