Timing Belt and Water pump @ 10yrs and 53K ?
#17
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (8)
You defininately should change the belts at about 7-8 years or 95k miles which ever comes first. I changed mine at about 8 yr and 55k after consulting with the belt manufacturers. As Harold57 mantioned belts defrade with time. Search the forum - there are at least two cases I've seen where folks waited and lost their engine.
Do your serpentine belt too, water pump and related parts that should come in the kit - you won't be sorry.
Do your serpentine belt too, water pump and related parts that should come in the kit - you won't be sorry.
#19
#21
Timing belts almost never break from fatigue to rubber. Pulley bearings and water pumps do go bad and when a water pump freezes it will break the belt.
If, after the water pump seizes and the belt breaks and valves crash into pistons, you ask the mechanic (if you even get to talk to him in person at a dealership) they will always say "broken belt".
If you are very good about maintaining your coolant every two years (to keep the water pump well lubricated) you should be good to 90K miles regardless of age. But the water pump is still a weak link. It is a good idea to change it out after 8-10 years, regardless of mileage especially if you didn't own the car since new and don't know the full maintenance history.
It is really not a bad DIY as long as you keep track of where everything goes and use caution regarding the position of the crank and cams during new belt installation and turn the engine over by hand to ensure you have the timing right. Having the engine apart really allows some deep cleaning and detailing in the engine compartment also.
For those using a mechanic - NEVER let anyone talk you into changing the timing belt and not changing the water pump and pulleys. Not only is the timing belt not the weak link, but the other parts are a small fraction of the labor cost and need to all be changed to make the maintenance complete.
If, after the water pump seizes and the belt breaks and valves crash into pistons, you ask the mechanic (if you even get to talk to him in person at a dealership) they will always say "broken belt".
If you are very good about maintaining your coolant every two years (to keep the water pump well lubricated) you should be good to 90K miles regardless of age. But the water pump is still a weak link. It is a good idea to change it out after 8-10 years, regardless of mileage especially if you didn't own the car since new and don't know the full maintenance history.
It is really not a bad DIY as long as you keep track of where everything goes and use caution regarding the position of the crank and cams during new belt installation and turn the engine over by hand to ensure you have the timing right. Having the engine apart really allows some deep cleaning and detailing in the engine compartment also.
For those using a mechanic - NEVER let anyone talk you into changing the timing belt and not changing the water pump and pulleys. Not only is the timing belt not the weak link, but the other parts are a small fraction of the labor cost and need to all be changed to make the maintenance complete.
#22
Interesting. Then, why won't Lexus also recommend water pump change at the same time of timing belt change? You seem to suggest water pump change is actually more important than the timing belt change. But I only see timing belt change schedule in the owner manual.
Also, the Toyota long life coolant is good for 5 years/100k miles.
Also, the Toyota long life coolant is good for 5 years/100k miles.
Last edited by jzwu; 03-03-15 at 08:50 PM.
#23
Intermediate
#24
Lexus Test Driver
Interesting. Then, why won't Lexus also recommend water pump change at the same time of timing belt change? You seem to suggest water pump change is actually more important than the timing belt change. But I only see timing belt change schedule in the owner manual.
Also, the Toyota long life coolant is good for 5 years/100k miles.
Also, the Toyota long life coolant is good for 5 years/100k miles.
These additional parts are not very expensive compared to upper and lower end engine rebuild.
You should also change the tensioner, tensioner pulley, idler pully and any seals if you plan to keep the car a very long time.
Preventive maintenance.
#25
I understand all of you guys' points and am not arguing with you since I would change them if I do the timing belt and the cost is not that much.
What I don't understand is why Lexus (Toyota/Honda) doesn't recommend this in the first place. It sounds like a prudent thing to do without much additional cost.
Yes, also use distilled water to dilute the coolant concentrate. Easy and little cost.
What I don't understand is why Lexus (Toyota/Honda) doesn't recommend this in the first place. It sounds like a prudent thing to do without much additional cost.
Yes, also use distilled water to dilute the coolant concentrate. Easy and little cost.
#26
Lexus Test Driver
I understand all of you guys' points and am not arguing with you since I would change them if I do the timing belt and the cost is not that much.
What I don't understand is why Lexus (Toyota/Honda) doesn't recommend this in the first place. It sounds like a prudent thing to do without much additional cost.
Yes, also use distilled water to dilute the coolant concentrate. Easy and little cost.
What I don't understand is why Lexus (Toyota/Honda) doesn't recommend this in the first place. It sounds like a prudent thing to do without much additional cost.
Yes, also use distilled water to dilute the coolant concentrate. Easy and little cost.
Some dealers may tell you that you only need a timing belt while others will tell you add the water pump. I would rather change everything in there because it takes me all day to do this job and if I change everything, it gives me confidence that I should have no issues for a very long time. My total cost is less than $300, or $400 if I use toyota parts.
No, I do not include my labor cost.
Last edited by Bgw70; 03-04-15 at 06:03 PM.
#27
Lead Lap
I understand all of you guys' points and am not arguing with you since I would change them if I do the timing belt and the cost is not that much.
What I don't understand is why Lexus (Toyota/Honda) doesn't recommend this in the first place. It sounds like a prudent thing to do without much additional cost.
What I don't understand is why Lexus (Toyota/Honda) doesn't recommend this in the first place. It sounds like a prudent thing to do without much additional cost.
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