ilanstylz

I own a 2002 IS300 , how hard is it to change the timing belt and water pump? I am not very well mechanically inclined but I do have friends that are, is this something that can be done with the right tools? Or do you recommend me taking it to a shop or dealer? If so do you know what the avg. price in SOCAL maybe for this kind of work? Thanks .........

BCP43002

I think you answered your own question but I will ask you this. How much of a gambler are you? I believe your engine is an interference type. This means if your friends mess up you will basicly need a new one. No second chance to fix before knock-knock. Whats dead? Your engine. The parts may be a few hundred but its the labor that gets you. In Jersey I paid a shop nearly $1,000 for my TL and I am mechanically inclined but not much of a gambler. My son and I changed his timing belt on his Suburu SVX but it was a non-interference engine so we had a second chance if needed. A shop or dealer would at least give you some warranty if something goes wrong. How about your friends? Did they ever do one before? Could you go without a car while the engine is being rebuilt? Is she your pride and joy? Would your friends step up to the plate and rebuild(could they/should they?) or pay for a rebuild? Would a $1,000 break your bank? Do a search and roll the dice.

VVT-i

Well said BCP43002 . Plus the crank bolt on the IS300 was torque at 230 foot pound and it not easy to remove.

Static805

lol my timing belt broke!!!! yes it broke!!! shops gave me estimate of 2000-4000 dollars for head and valve damage engineshop u know the works...thank god good ol lexus has a non interferance engine...yes the shop said it had interferance..called my dad (25+ year mechanic) siad just to replace the belt and pump and pulleys if needed...take the risk of head and valve damage....he said 99.9 percent no damage occured...spent 150 for the pump and about 90 for the belt and 350 labor....to get it replaced not through the dealer...dealers wre charging me 1500 parts and labor...haha to get to my point..car runs smooth for over a year and still no problems ....Take it to a shop not dealer...get it swiched dont get the parts though lexus man hope this helps


1991 LS 400

platinumLS

Well for me i would say its easy to change since i am a lexus tech i do timing belts on every lexus engine almost like everyday. But for u doing it for the first time and on a inline six with has one vvt-i sproket that when the timing belt is off the spocket moves when if fells like and if not watched would set ur timing off and leave u pushing ur car to the nearest repair shop...well i guess what im tring to say is leave it along..make some body how knows what there doing do.