zapola6

Just a quick question... I had a 2004 RX, 150K, gave it to the mother in law... Wish I could get it back.. She's not letting go... I don't blame her.

My daily Driver is a 2001 LS 430 with 220K and still running strong

I am looking for another RX for the wife to drive on those Colorado snowy days to keep the A7 garaged on those days...

Looking for and 2005 / 2008 with under 150K. If the RX did go to a timing chain in the 3.0, what year did it happen. M


Thanks

Steve

uh2

The RX330 has a belt. The RX 350 has a chain.

zapola6

Perfect.... Thanks for the help!!!

hisstojay

Any advantage(s) of chain over belt, or vice versa.....? Just for knowledge sake, thanks

geko29

Chain is noisier, but does not have to be replaced due to wear. Belt has to be replaced at regular intervals (90-100k) to avoid it breaking and destroying the engine.

hisstojay

Thanks, that seems interesting. I am getting curious how noisy the chain could be; I haven't noticed it on my RX

Cemm

Quick question: "Belt has to be replaced at regular intervals (90-100k)" kilometers or miles?

litzdog911

90-100k miles

uh2

The RX330 is an interference engine. You DONT want to experience a timing belt failure. If you have a 330 with 100k or more on the clock, get it done now. Do the water pump and pulleys while you're in there. Inspect the radiator too, that is a weak spot if it's the OEM version.

I bought my 330 with 175 on the clock. I had every single service record, but no indication of a timing belt or water pump done. I used that as a negotiating tactic and took care of it the first week after buying her.

Badhobz

Steve,

I just bought an rx400h. She's 2008 and she has a timing belt not a timing chain. According to my dealer, any rx350 past 2008 had a timing chain on the gasoline models. Hybrids are still belts. Anything pre 2008 according to my dealers have timing belts as well.

tbm5690

To clarify:

All 3.3L engines (RX330, RX400H): belt
All 3.5L engines (RX350): chain

Belt needs to be done every 100K. Chains should be inspected occasionally once past 100K, since they do slacken up a bit over time. Typically though, they are maintenance-free.