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I have a 2004 LS430 with 179,000 miles. I have always had the car serviced at a Lexus dealership except for new tires and my 2nd battery. I always get the car serviced after 6,000 miles or so even though the dealer set the dumb alert to come on at 5,000 miles. I purchased car as CPO at 38,000 miles or so in 2007 and got a steal on pricing and received CPO warranty to 100,000 miles. This is my second lexus - previously owned LS400 and much prefer the LS430 - especially seat comfort.
I guess / assume I am approaching that time for another timing belt change. Best I can tell the water pump has never been changed, but it seems to be weeping and this past summer in TX it left a water trail, but my fluid levels stayed level and did not have to add coolant. From previous posts, it sounds like I should buy the timing belt kit from rockauto. My questions are: 1. How many more miles do you think before I should get my belt changed again (1st changed at 92,383)?, 2. Should I change water pump?, and I think I will avoid the dealership and go to non Lexus mechanics in Plano TX. Has anyone used the mechanic here in Plano? Last time I was able to leverage them and get the dealer to knock off a couple hundred dollars from strut replacement. Below I share my inglorious maintenance history:
Problem Items which I may address some day:
Plastic peeling from grill
Passenger door electric lock does not open - have to manually unlock
Tilt feature does not work. I manually scope the wheel out towards me when starting up, but tilt is dead. Retract is fine when I turn the car off
steering wheel audio controls work intermittently
Oh and the folding mirrors are intermittent when folding back out so I turned them off except for tight spaces.
That is all folks. Thanks for viewing and appreciate all feedback. My goal is to bet 200,000+ miles out of this car. Best I can tell the body integrity is fine - rubber molding around doors is fading etc, but overall this car looks nice.
1. How many more miles do you think before I should get my belt changed again (1st changed at 92,383)?, NOW, would be best, every 90k for PREVENTIVE maintenance
2. Should I change water pump? YES, you state it shows weeping and since its never been replaced, also replace the thermostat and possibly the lower and upper radiator hoses
consider ATF service, coolant flush, check other posts of mine for other work that i would recommend
Be sure to change the t-belt tensioner and pulleys, too. They do fail and are too cheap not to replace when doing the belt service, and especially if you are not sure if they were done with the last belt job.
The best way is to get the parts yourself and pay for labor only. Even the dealer can be competitive on labor rates. Every 90k is also a little conservative.
I would also do the cam and crank seals, thermostat, radiator and hoses, and starter. Take care of it all at once. There are multiple OEM parts available, as mentioned, on RockAuto for rather good prices. The seals are really smart to do at the 2nd TB job. You are right there and they are known to dry out and start leaking at this high mileage. Going back and doing it later will cost you a lot more.
You state that your coolant level has not changed despite a "water trail". The water trail is, most likely, AC water condensation. If it were your water pump weeping, your coolant level would necessarily have to go down.
To address your immediate questions: yes, get the coolant pump changed along with the timing belt as soon as you can. I would also change pulleys and tensioner as well.
11-13-14, 08:20 PM
My LS430 2004 Service History - need advice
