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LS430 Timing Belt Experience

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Old 06-21-15, 12:59 PM
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Harpo
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Default LS430 Timing Belt Experience

Just bought a 2001 LS430 with 110k miles and thought I'd better have the timing belt replaced. Old parts were original equipment, and all were in very good condition, no frayed belts, rough bearings, or leaks. I'm still glad I had it done, it's good insurance.

My local Toyota dealer did the job; replaced timing belt, idlers, water pump, crank seal, and serpentine belt, all with OEM parts. Total cost was $1400.

Awesome car, it replaced my aging SC300. Lexus forever!
Old 06-21-15, 04:47 PM
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volson
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Originally Posted by Harpo
Just bought a 2001 LS430 with 110k miles and thought I'd better have the timing belt replaced. Old parts were original equipment, and all were in very good condition, no frayed belts, rough bearings, or leaks. I'm still glad I had it done, it's good insurance.

My local Toyota dealer did the job; replaced timing belt, idlers, water pump, crank seal, and serpentine belt, all with OEM parts. Total cost was $1400.

Awesome car, it replaced my aging SC300. Lexus forever!
Congrats! Throw up some pics.
Old 06-21-15, 05:12 PM
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Lavrishevo
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Just not throw up pics...
Old 07-02-15, 08:18 AM
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heathervb
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I just hit 180k and about to have my second timing belt/water pump replacement. Also doing serpentine belt, but I ended up not buying the tensioner and idler pulley to try any save some money. Is this okay or is it highly recommended to have them all replaced? I'm not sure if they were done at 90k, actually, but I don't have any squeak noises. I'm assuming those parts are still good
Old 07-02-15, 10:20 AM
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airchomper
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Heather,

I'd really recommend getting a tensioner and idler. You can re-use the tensioner once, and unless you know for sure that it was replaced in the first timing belt job, it might be the tensioner that left the factory in 2001, and you might be running on borrowed time. The part isn't that expensive, I think the timing belt kits with the tensioner only cost $10 more than the kits without (at least on Amazon).

And the idler pully is a tricky one. Some people go 300k+ miles with the factory one, others have it snap at 120k miles. I'm inclined to think that it's safe in Cali - more moderate temperatures and not super rainy/salty.
Old 07-03-15, 08:30 AM
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heathervb
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Originally Posted by airchomper
Heather,

I'd really recommend getting a tensioner and idler. You can re-use the tensioner once, and unless you know for sure that it was replaced in the first timing belt job, it might be the tensioner that left the factory in 2001, and you might be running on borrowed time. The part isn't that expensive, I think the timing belt kits with the tensioner only cost $10 more than the kits without (at least on Amazon).

And the idler pully is a tricky one. Some people go 300k+ miles with the factory one, others have it snap at 120k miles. I'm inclined to think that it's safe in Cali - more moderate temperatures and not super rainy/salty.
This is the kit I bought http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008EEYWKI?tag=viglink20370-20#

It comes with a hydraulic tensioner. Is that the one I need? Isn't there two tensioners in this process: one for timing belt and one for serpentine?
Old 07-03-15, 10:46 AM
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Tom57
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Originally Posted by heathervb
This is the kit I bought http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008EEYWKI?...glink20370-20#

It comes with a hydraulic tensioner. Is that the one I need? Isn't there two tensioners in this process: one for timing belt and one for serpentine?
Yes, there are. You got the most important one for the timing belt.
Old 07-04-15, 04:35 PM
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campisi
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I'll be doing my Tbelt and assorted parts in October (when the wife is gone for a month and I can take my time). I just replaced the serpentine belt yesterday as it was OEM and had cracks all over it. 91K miles.
Old 07-06-15, 07:16 AM
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98SNAKETR
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Originally Posted by heathervb
This is the kit I bought http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008EEYWKI?...glink20370-20#

It comes with a hydraulic tensioner. Is that the one I need? Isn't there two tensioners in this process: one for timing belt and one for serpentine?

Just curious, but is the OEM stuff also made by Aisin or is there a difference in quality?
Old 07-06-15, 07:59 AM
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airchomper
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Heather, you got a great kit. That has the tensioner for the timing belt.

I completely forgot about the tensioner for the accessory belt, but that's not as important. I'd imagine there'd be a lot of warning signs before that one failed.

98SNAKETR,

The Aisin kit uses OEM components. The only difference between the Aisin kit and the kit at the lexus dealer is that the Lexus kit has 'Lexus' branding on the timing belt whereas the Aisin kit has 'Mitsuboshi' branding.

Here's a thread with the information.
Old 07-06-15, 08:03 AM
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98SNAKETR
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Thanks for the info

I don't even have an LS yet, but I'm looking into all of the maintenance required before pulling the trigger on one
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