EnzoRX

Hi all,

My 2001 RX300 AWD has 50,200 miles on it. It's closing in on the 6 years old mark. I was curious...do I need to change the timing belt out on it now? Or do I wait for my mileage to hit 90,000 miles before I do it?

Lexus recommends to change it at the 6 years/90,000 mile mark. Since I haven't come close to the mileage mark...I was wondering if the 6 year mark is the one I have to look at when changing the timing belt.

Just wondering what your thoughts were. Thanks in advance.

Lexmex

Mileage is the key indicator here...I did mine at about 82K since I happened to be up in San Antonio at the time and had the water pump done at the same time, which saves money since you basically have to take the same stuff off to get at the area, though some members differ in this.

Now, I have heard stories of this going up to 150K on these vehicles without issue, but I personally wouldn't risk it even under normal driving habits (under which mine are not ) over 120K.

salimshah

The reccomendation to replace is based on mean time to failure with possible 6sigma adjutment (I am guessing this factor ... only manufacturer knows what that number is ... idea being you replace the belt before failure). Then there is a shift to align with milage based service.

Possible causes of failure are ...

Poor product or flaws in manufacturing .... QC takes care of it.

Wear: This is the slow deteriation with use. Since RX is not a comercial use vehicle, the cheapest way to measure use is look at the odo. [On comercial vehicles, there is timer to measure engine run time]. As an extreme example, say you idle for long times .. the odo does not turn but the belt is still subjected to wear.

Age: It is natures way to return all manufactured stuff to its natural state. The belt also would loose its ability/strength over time. The environment is the dominant factor. Heat cycles (low milage vehicles usually have too many heat cycles), extreme low temprature, static condiiton (belt bends over the pullies ... and if left in that position for long it forms a memory), change form the static condition can break it.

So the wear part is simple to determine, the age is very complex. It used to be easy to inspect and tell if the belt needs repalcement due to time.

You can push it and wait till 90k. Also look at the risk you carry if the belt breaks. I have read conflicting things about level of damage when belt breaks ..[interfering vs not is only one factor, the other is broken belt is like a whip]. Also look at the inconvinience factor + safety ... [every body around you going 70mph ... brakedown in an unsafe area etc etc].

imho you can push it to 8yrs but keep in mind you are assuming the risk(s)

Salim

thomas1

I agree, eight years is a long time, the belt is solid, mine looked like new at 100k, no cracks, wear, etc.

EnzoRX

Thank-you, gentlemen.

I will wait another 2 years and replace it at the 8 year old mark with my RX. At my current mileage accumulation rate, that should place me in the 70K to 75K miles range.

electric13

2000 RX with 175K miles on it and still on the original timing belt. we're going to replace it though when we take the car in for the oil gel thing.

Gomer1

it has a lot to do with the way you drive, specially on the way you take off.
i had a nissan sentra with 300k miles and never changed it. when i finally decided to change it, the belt was a perfect condition without the minimal crack on it. drive nice and it will last way way longer than the recommended changing intervals

yeuemhoai

iTrader: (1)

Any special thing about timing belt to keep in mind when I bring my 01 RX300 in for 90K service and timing belt/water bump replacement next month.
TIA.

salimshah

One of the things that need to be looked at is ideler/roller. If it has turned blue, then it has overheated due to lack of lubrication. Since it is lubricated for life, if that happens, its life is over.

Salim

yeuemhoai

iTrader: (1)

Thanks Salim, just by chance you have pix of the idler/roller (bad or good). TIA.