Timing belt question
12-21-14, 05:14 PM
#1
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Timing belt question
I was wondering if the timing belt on my wifes 05 RX 330 needed to be changed due to age and not miles. The car only has 72k miles on it but it is 10 years old (delivered Dec 04) ?
12-21-14, 07:17 PM
#2
yes, time will take its toll.
10 years is over due. i wouldnt stop driving it. but i would book it asap. you may not need the water pump changed if you are trying to keep the cost down (they can check it while they are in there to see if its leaking or the bearing is getting worse).
it is an intereference engine, so if it breaks, you "could" lose the engine. so spending 3-700 bucks is a no brainer.
10 years is over due. i wouldnt stop driving it. but i would book it asap. you may not need the water pump changed if you are trying to keep the cost down (they can check it while they are in there to see if its leaking or the bearing is getting worse).
it is an intereference engine, so if it breaks, you "could" lose the engine. so spending 3-700 bucks is a no brainer.
12-21-14, 07:46 PM
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How hard is the job? Ive built many cars but my expertise is in Ford and GM (Mustangs and GNs mostly). I would have to do this myself as the budget is kind of tight right now.
12-21-14, 07:54 PM
#4
My timing belt is probably one of the oldest ones out there since my RX330 was built in the second month of production (March 2003). It has 77,000 miles on it and I plan on replacing it some time in the not too distant future. In the meantime I am not losing any sleep over the age of the belt.
If you believe the Lexus maintenance schedule you should have replaced it at the 6 year point.
But Lexus also says this
http://lexus2.custhelp.com/app/answe...%2C1284%2C1328
If you are going to keep the car for a while you might as well do it now and you are good for another ten years.
Here is a link for a DIY for the timing belt
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...iy-w-pics.html
If you believe the Lexus maintenance schedule you should have replaced it at the 6 year point.
But Lexus also says this
http://lexus2.custhelp.com/app/answe...%2C1284%2C1328
If you are going to keep the car for a while you might as well do it now and you are good for another ten years.
Here is a link for a DIY for the timing belt
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...iy-w-pics.html
Last edited by JoeInHNL; 12-21-14 at 07:59 PM. Reason: Added DIY link
12-22-14, 08:50 AM
#6
It isn't as simple as a serpentine belt change, but on my GS400 it was relatively easy. My Lexus tech friend says the RX330 is pretty easy to do. You will need to take a wheel off to access the lower side, but look at it, it isn't hard to access it all.
He said regardless of age Lexus doesn't replace the tensioner, since he has worked there, not a single one has ever failed. I did replace the one on my GS but I couldn't see a reason to, but I bought it anyway before he told me that.
Of course, having the tools he has and a lift, almost anything is easy!
He said regardless of age Lexus doesn't replace the tensioner, since he has worked there, not a single one has ever failed. I did replace the one on my GS but I couldn't see a reason to, but I bought it anyway before he told me that.
Of course, having the tools he has and a lift, almost anything is easy!
Last edited by RamAirRckt; 12-22-14 at 10:28 AM.
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