RX330inFL

Welcome to Club Lexus, karenson.

Your ES330 has exactly the same engine as the same year RX330. However, for later reference you might find specific answers to some of your questions over in their section at:

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/es300-and-es330-179/

Regarding your questions, the belt you can visually see is the accessory belt, also called a serpentine belt, for the engine. This drives your water pump, alternator and other systems for your vehicle. The timing belt in question is covered and not visible by any means without taking apart that area of your ES. Lexus recommends you should change it at 6 years or 90K miles. Though you may not have reached 90K miles, heat (even from the engine) and time can age these belts. However, many have posted about seeing the timing belts removed from their vehicles at 90K with them looking fine and with plenty of life. While not a recommendation, some are stretching the interval to 120K miles or perhaps 10 years. For example, I have a 2004 RX330 and have yet to reach 90K miles and have not changed the timing belt nor the water pump.

Please keep in mind that if the timing belt breaks there is a chance you may damage the engine to a point it needs to be replaced at considerable expense. So, balance that against any savings you may gain in the short term. Would at least start saving for this repair.

When they replace the timing belt they should probably replace the water pump, the accessory belt, your antifreeze, and a host of other bits and pieces too numerous to list here. They should all be covered in the repair. So, to know what you are exactly getting for that $1300 is important. Sounds like that is what they quoted you. Personally, that sounds a bit high, but I will not speak for prices in your area. Things are different here in FL. As this engine is also used in some Toyotas they are able to perform this work as well and probably for quite a bit less. Same with your 5K services which are nothing more than oil changes for the most part. You could use the Toyota Express Service. Sure, no spiffs, but you are in and out fairly quick.

Let us know what service shop gave you the quote you received. Perhaps others in that area can provide you with an additional location for you to get a quote for this work. Plenty here are from NY and NYC.

tomit

My 2 cents - have the timing belt replaced soon; the water pump should be good as long as your coolant was replaced at least once. The outside rubber covering on the belt will appear to be intact, but the insides which provide the belt with its strength are an unknown. I would check around for the best price from a qualified shop. For instance, Toyota dealers sometimes run belt change specials and there may be independents that specialize in Toyota vehicle repairs that people have had good luck with. A full coolant exchange and replacement of the drive belts is recommended, also.

Tom

cdnewton

As RX330inFL says, if the belt breaks, it could do damage (read: costly) to the engine.

I would find a shop that specializes in Toyota/Lexus for the repair. The type of shops normally hire techs from the dealership and can save you quite a bit of $$$$$. To give you an idea of the price difference when we had our replaced (this was for timing belt, water pump, serpentine belt and radiator fluid):

-Lexus $1200
-Toyota ~$650
-Independent ~$500

I went with the independent and was very pleased with the result.