matts6887

Well as far as this goes; i sure as heck hope Im not in that 1 percent!. The last thing i need is to have catastrophic failure in which its "new"(well used but new to me) engine time.

fastnoypi

pretty much every car i've come across that had a timing belt failure , i've been able to trace the root cause to a seized idler pulley bearing or failed tensioner. There have been rare cases on other cars, the timing belt damaged itself against a misadjusted belt guide.

matts6887

Well i will definitely keep these things in mind. However; replacing the timing belt and associated components like the tensioners, water pump, etc is a huge undertaking as it takes several hours(I think even for experienced service techs?) to take off all the things that are in the way of getting to the timing belt off. Its also not a cheap undertaking!. And because of that I would have to figure out a way to get the $ to get it done cause i sure as heck dont have the $ myself to get it done right now professionally; let alone trying to do it myself if i was experienced enough which Im not. All this considered; I hope Im not in that 1 percent. I mean even if the idler bearings for others have been dry at 90,000; mine doesnt seem to be showing any issues as of yet; but then again i suppose there may not be any when the belt is about to go; and that if it decides to let go; it will just go boom all the sudden and thats the end of that pretty much.

fastnoypi

There are no signs unless you are taking temperature readings on the bearings. Once out of grease its borrowed time that they will seize and self destruct..taking everything else with them.

matts6887

Well; yea I kinda figured that. I guess i will just have to take my chances until I hit 180,000 at which point it will definitely have to be changed out per lexus.

fastnoypi

put that money aside or split it with credit if you have to. The kit itself is around $160 from rockauto with a waterpump and tensioner. You'll have to ask around for the labor cost. A busted engine can potentially total your car more than you paid for it.

Finn

So interval is now 110k miles. Is there time limit in years as well?

salimshah

vehicles are expected to do 15k miles a year. Less frequently used around 10k.

Please call your local Lexus dealership device department to get the time information.

Again my comments are more significant for vehicles that are not used for longer intervals.. 15k first few years and then not driven for months.

Salim

matts6887

yea; I figured as much that having to get a new engine would not be worth it in the end as it would cost more than the car is worth to put the engine in etc. This is something(Im talking about the t belt here not engine) i would not attempt myself anyway. I would get it done either at a shop or dealer because for one thing; my car would be down for several hours and possibly the entire day to get the job done at which point i would have to rent a vehicle for the day; or if i do it through the dealer; yes it would probably be more than another shop; but i would be able to get a courtesy vehicle to drive while the work is being done so I can go about my daily business and Im not stuck in one place for the day. Bur until I reach the mileage point of 180,000 at which point it probably should be done; I will probably just have to take my chances on it. So far Ive gotten lucky as its lasted over a year of use since I got the vehicle and probably is the original belt for all I know.

trhs75

Sorry, Matts -- I mixed up your information with jbl's, where he mentioned in the first post that he had changed his belt. My mistake!

matts6887

Oh; no biggie. it happens. carry on.