SuperSport

Just purchased a 2003 w/48,000. Do i need to replace timing belt because of age and not the milage? Any help would be appreciated

Viper6

Official Lexus Owners site only indicates change TB at 90k with no mention of time. Check your manual to see if there is a time trigger, and I would follow the schedule time or miles whichever comes first (likely time for you).

Once you answer the question of "when", then you have to decide "what" in addition to just the TB... some add water pump, idler pullies, tensioner... even camshaft or crank seals and thermostats "while your in there" as PMCS. Let us know what you decide

SuperSport

Not seeing any thing stating time as being a factor. Will consider all the suggested to do's along with the timing belt. Thanks for the info!

BradTank

I would hold off for a few more years.

It would probably be a good idea not to wait until the full 90k miles since it's older, but I would bet 99 times out of 100 it would be absolutely fine waiting until it actually hit 90k miles despite the fact it's a few years "beyond" the mileage.

StanVanDam

The Canadian 2002 Lexus Scheduled Maintenance guide says "Replace timing belt every 72 months/144,000 km".

Your belt is approaching 10 years old, maybe consider replacing it the next time the car is in for service. Ask if you can take the old belt home so you can show us how well it held up.

SuperSport

Didn't see the 72 month statement but it does make sense!

jimbosr1

i didn't change my timing belt in my 86 mr2 until 2010 with 67k miles with no problems.

Jabberwock

I think I'd likely change at 10 years if I don't hit 90k first. Some of the time issue is environmentally dependent - is the car always garaged in a HVAC'd space. Or is it outside in all kinds of extreme heat and cold. Garaged in a climate controlled space the TB is likely good for 15 years. Outside full time I would not push more than 8-9 years max. JMHO - i am not a TB expert by any means.

toyo

The TB is enclosed, therefore it is not subject to oil, gases, etc that a regular engine belt would be. In regards to changing it, there is no correct answer. It's a roll of the dice. I doubt that it's going to break though. Those belts are stronger than we give them credit for.

AlexusAnja

Jabber is right, the rubber on the belts deteriorates over time. I changed my belt last year at just 85k on the dial and i have no regrets. If the LS was a non-inteference engine then i would risk going to 100k but thats not the case. If belt breaks while driving, syonara engine. Saved $800 perhaps to buy ab$5000 engine.

Kansas

I find the frequent discussion of timing belt condition interesting since I have never heard of an LS timing belt failing due to belt wear. Timing belt failure is (almost?) always caused by the failure of another component in the timing belt system - tensioner, idler, water pump.

The timing belt on my first LS (1990 LS400) "failed" (was damaged) when the water pump failed in the mid 1990's at about 75,000 miles.

When I had the timing belt on my 90 LS replaced for the second time in 2003 at 180,000 miles just before I sold the car, the second timing belt had gone about eight years and 105,000 miles and still looked like brand new with not a hint of wear or cracking. I wasn't worried that much anyway since my 90 had a non-interference engine and failure would mainly be inconvenient.

When I had the timing belt on my 2000 LS400 replaced at 90,000 miles and within one day of the seven year mark in 2007, the original timing belt also looked like new without a hint of wear ... still have it in a box in the garage to show people.

At the rate I am driving, I expect to replace the timing belt on my 2000 LS400 again in summer 2014 when the car is at 180,000 miles and 14 years. I expect the old timing belt to again look like new.

With each timing belt replacement, all the ancillary parts are replaced - water pump, tensioner, idlers and a variety of other small parts. I don't skimp on repairs and maintenance even when a car gets old.

Frankly, I think the belt could go far longer than 90,000 miles / six years as long as all the ancillary parts were replaced. But since the belt itself is so cheap, doing that would seem silly. LS water pumps improved a lot after the early ones. Failure of the tensioner or one of the idlers is my main concern.

SkipABeat

I bought my 2004 LS430 with 10,000 in 2008. I changed the TB and water pump a month ago at 38,000 miles.

Reason why I did it is for my peace of mind. I saw the old belt. The cogs are all intact. The opposite side did not show wear except parallel shiny lines around the belt. I am sure the lines are the result of the belt travelling around pulleys. I wished I took a picture of the belt.

Being an interference engine I am glad i did it.

SuperSport

Thanks for all the input. I will probably do it at the 60,000 mile service,for my peace of mind!

sha4000

iTrader: (1)

Did the TB on my 98 at 120k and It looked just as good as the new one that I was putting on. I even drove my 91 up to 170k before I sold it and never even changed the TB. This is before I knew the importance of that belt. Just do what gives you the greatest peace of mind.

jstrummer

I bought an 02 with 23,000 miles, and since the belt hadn't been changed, I had it done, along with the usual other parts. The mechanic said the belt was in the best shape of any belt he's ever replaced. It looked almost new to me.

Still, I'm glad I had it done. Being an interference engine, I was quite uncomfortable driving with a 10 year old belt.

It cost around $1,600.