Outburst

Hello, Ive been reading this forum for a while and wanted to share my experience with the timing belt kit replacement for RX400H. I ordered all the parts on ebay. Gates($165 delivered). I spent about a year checking here and there at my leisure with lexus, toyota, other independent mechanics and they all wanted $$$$$$ too much. So one day i had a bright idea to check online for a mobile mechanic. i found a guy to come to my house and made the repair for $200.

NOW, all they hype about the belts breaking and such, idont know, but at 155,000 miles my original timing parts and pump looked like new....if i could have seen them i wouldnt have bothered with the kit replacement. Belt had no cracking or any teeth missing. I compared it to the new belt and no signs of wear. my mechanic worked for midas full time doing this repair and said usually the teeth on the belt are missing in spots just before it breaks.

parts replaced.....hydr tensioner, both bearings, belt, water pump, and crankcase seal. i ordered the camshaft seals too but he couldnt get the pulleys off the camshafts. i also ordered a serpentine belt but apparently the hybrid model dont have that....so had those parts left. If this car does have serpentine belt someone please let me know.

Total cost parts and labor $365. I have driven the car up the street a few times before i paid the mechanic but havent put any miles to speak of yet.....will let you guys know how it turns out, thanks.

jbl-1985

Thanks for the feedback on the condition of the belt itself. I've always wondered about the real need to replace these belts at the recommended intervals. I'm not saying that everyone should wait until 155k but this is good information to say the least. A large consensus of folks out there content that these belts are pretty damn durable way beyond the 90k recommendation, and have confirmed that with your experience.

Outburst

yes, everyone has to make their own decisions but i would have waited till 200k if i had know its condition.