sblevins

I bought an '05 SC430 with about 67,000 miles on it, and was going through the service records on the vehicle. It looks like while the previous owner did a lot of servicing, he chose not to replace the timing belt at the nine year mark. After reading the threads in this forum, I decided for peace of mind to get the timing belt and water pump replaced.

I have to admit, I am a bit of a novice when it comes to cars (stereotypical girl I guess, I just know what I like to drive, have no idea when it comes to engines) so I'm a bit afraid of being taken advantage of.

I asked the dealer and they said it would be $1500 to do the combo of them, I was able to get a local Lexus-specialist shop to quote me $800 for just the water pump and timing belt. It actually was supposed to be for just the timing belt, but they decided to honor the quote they gave me even though it was in error.

My question is this, the guy there, and at another shop both said the following: When we replace the timing belt we also replace the water pump, the timing belt idler and tensioner pulleys and the timing belt hydraulic tensioner. We also replace the serpentine drive belt and drain and refill the cooling system. To perform that job on your car will cost about $1225.

I am more than a bit strapped for cash right now, but I also don't want to just have to wait and make another appointment down the line for those extra replacements. Is the idler/pulley/tensioner/drive belt/cooling drain worth getting done now? Or is it something I can afford to put off for a bit? Thanks for any advice.

Harold57

One of the biggest reasons for including all of those items is that it takes a good bit of labor to get down inside the engine and replace the timing belt. The water pump has always been a weak link in engines of all kinds and since it is inside the engine (rather than outside the engine like they were in the past), it is good preventative maintenance to go ahead and replace the water pump while in there.

The other items are reasonably low cost parts that are also in the same area and involved with the timing belt. Their replacement is just more preventative maintenance. They are the least likely to fail among these components but if they do fail, it will be expensive to replace the relatively low cost part and yes, they do fail on occasion. Generally, replacing them along with the timing belt and water pump doesn't add much to the over all cost to add these items. You should ask your mechanic what the cost difference is between replacing the extra components and kicking the can down the road and then you can make a more financially educated decision.

Bgw70

That is a good price for all of those parts and yes, DO IT!
Ask them what brand and ask to see the new parts, take pictures of them. Also ask for the used parts they replaced.

Post your pics her and wer will confirm all of them for you...if you like

BTW, I know I made a thread with plenty of pics when I replaced all of those parts.

texsexlex

iTrader: (3)

...you might ask what the "labor only" price.... there are kits available online that have all the parts listed, it might even save you some more money to purchase them yourself

416tt

iTrader: (1)

all parts above and thermostat while your in there its cheap.

sblevins

Thanks very much everyone for your advice. I'm going to bite the bullet and have everything done. The mechanic said he used to have an SC430 and expects it to take half to a full day, but said after this, I'm good for another ten years. I usually swap cars every year or two, but so far I have to admit, I don't recall another car I enjoyed this much. Though I was irritated to see today that someone bumped my car in the parking lot and added a couple of nice nicks to the back bumper.

Harold57

I'm glad to see that you are going to replace them all. In the long run, that will pay the benefits, though you just won't realize it since all the parts that could be going bad will be gone. But you will have peace of mind that you've done your due diligence and are replacing the proper components.

Sorry to hear about the parking lot bump. Drivers can be so inconsiderate and irresponsible. OTOH, it is also possible that they bumped you without realizing they did. (I had a pickup do that to me before with his hitch. He swore that he didn't do it but the indentation was a perfect match to his hitch ball.)

taisho

To piggyback off this thread. I have a 2003 SC430 and im up for my 90k service.

I have a list of things do for my car and would like to know if I need to add anything:

Replace timing belt
Oil change
Rotate tires
Inspect/Replace ball joints??!?!
Check brake pads/rotors
Transmission flush
Check/fill fluids
Drain/refill radiator

Bgw70

never flush the transmission, only replace the fluid...

LexMan2003

Taisho,

I'd like to add a few more items:

• Differential fluid (drain/replace) - if you didn't do it yet, now is a good time. Easy for a DIYer.
• Brake fluid (replace as best as possible, perhaps little by little) - if you didn't do this before, start now!
• PCT valve/grommet/hose - inexpensive, easy to do, added piece of mind.
• Spark plugs - Something to consider (I did mine on my 2003 at 60k).
• Transmission screen (filter) - Piece of mind. Requires dropping the pan. Messy, but easy for a DIYer.
• Examine - cabin filter, air filter, and their compartments - typical stuff.

Bgw70

forgive me for asking but what is the PCT valve?

taisho

Thanks fam! I plan to keep my SC for a while, so I'm just trying to get EVERYTHING done at once. I greatly appreciate the help. I wish I had the tools to be a DIY'er, but I'll take my car to my mechanic.

Also, I read that the ball joints wear down a bit...should I just replace these?

Bgw70

Have the ball joints checked by your mechanic.
also look at the lower control arms.

also, do you get any vibration when in gear and stopped, any clunks when changing from reverse to drive?
the motor mounts in these cars don't last very long.

taisho

Thanks! Fortunately, I do not get any vibration when I change gears. I just hear the typical metal 'click' sound.

LexMan2003

Oops..Typo - PCV - Positive Crankcase Ventilation