irishcasey

Hi, my 2002 RX 300 has 75K miles on it. The dealer has advised that although timing belts are usually changed at 90K, they also recommend changing them based on age with a low mileage car. They say since my RX is 12 years old I should get this service completed.

It is relatively expensive. Any input or comments are appreciated.

Thanks!

salimshah

answer these questions and you will be able to make a choice:

1. How long do you intend to keep the RX?
If you sell it around 80k (as an example) the buyer will ask you knock the price down as TBelt service (age and mile) is due soon.

If you intend to keep it beyond 1st T belt miles then the milage based service will be due in few months/year. The service price will be higher as time goes bye and today's $ purchasing is higher. (so a trade off ... generally service rises more than the actual $ worth).

If you intend to keep it beyond 2nd T belt service then add that to above.

2. Risk:
Personally (no guarantee here) I think the belt will last till 90k miles. Only if the engine is not run for a long period (months) that the belt will develop history around the curves. If you have read my posts, I am usually concerned about other items that are driven by the belt on a Tbelt service.

It is your decision and you alone are going to be responsible for it.

Salim

hypervish

+1, to Salim's response.

IMO, I would change it.

wotcham8

I have an 03 RX300 with 77k miles. The car is new to me but so far am loving it. Am having the timing belt etc visually inspected tomorrow. I have heard great things about the longevity of these belts. Unless they tell me it is hanging on by a thread I don't plan to change it before 90k.
btw, I used to drive a 98 Jag XK8 and on those the timing belt would warn you before breaking by ticking like a time bomb. If you've ever heard it, it's a very distinctive sound. Does anyone know if the same is true for the Lexus RX 300?

carguy07

No warning ticks on this car. Pretty rare for them to break, especially due to age/mileage. But always a roll of the dice as the miles go up and they get older.

wotcham8

After doing a bit more research, it seems to me you could wait until 95K miles and even then you could save money by replacing only:

T-belt
Idler
Tensioner pulley (not the hydraulic cylinder)

wotcham8

Thanks for solving this. Good to know!

matts6887

I too think mine should be replaced as there is no sticker on the timing belt cover of mine indicating that it has been changed. And mine has 131,000+ on it; so unfortunately im just waiting until it goes bye bye which i know is not a good idea as it can cause damage; but i dont have a choice right now as i just dont have the funds to get it changed out right now. The only possibility i can think of is maybe it was changed out but the tech at whatever shop it was taken to didnt put a sticker on it; that could be true. But either way i think im taking my chances probably.

2KHarrier

Find an independant mechanic and purchase the parts. That would save you a bundle..

Tax return's around the corner!...

Carver

It may have been blasted off during an engine clean at some point check for fading or residue in the lower left of the engine cover.. You should also check your VIN at Lexus.