DylanFan

After I purchased a 2003 SC430, with 174,000 miles, I started to wonder about the timing belt! The more that I wondered the more nervous I became! I had the Carfax and there was no mention of the timing belt ever having been changed! Next I went to the nearest Lexus dealer and they printed out all of the information that they had on my car! Again there was no mention of the timing belt having been changed. They did spot the there was a crack in the radiator that was leaking coolant! After that I was afraid to drive the car until the timing belt was changed and a new radiator was installed. I got the name of a local mechanic who worked for a local auto shop but also did side jobs at his house. He changed the belt and the radiator for less than half of the price the dealer quoted me. Of course the old belt looked just fine but at least I can sleep without worrying about that!

Lesly1

If not being personal, what did it cost to have it done?
My mechanic said it would take 3 hours to do the job at a cost of $ 1,000 with parts & labor.
I also couldn't find records as they don't keep them after 10 years. (so I was told)
My SC has done 160k Kilometers 100k Miles. The belt should be changed at 90k miles.

Chris....From OZ.

Lexiss_sc430

iTrader: (2)

Chris,

Typically in the states you will pay $400-650 in labor for the job, dealerships would charge $1000-1500. If he can do your timing belt in 3 hours then he definitely knows his way around these engines. Most mechanics would take 4-5 hours to do a typical timing belt service.

DylanFan

For the radiator, the timing belt kit with water pump, etc and the labor was $1,006. He said it was 8 hours labor at $50 per hour and the rest was parts! The Lexus dealer wanted $1,400 for the timing belt and $500 for the radiator including the labor!

Lesly1

The first thing that the mechanic is going to do is to remove one of the covers & see whether the timing belt has been changed or not.
I am going to be there myself so that I can see how it looks & take it from there.

Chris....From OZ.

GmanSC

Usually, there is a sticker affix on the inside of the hood that will tell you whether the TB has been changed and when. Look for it.

Lesly1

First thing I looked for, but no sticker. Other stickers there, but none relating to the timing belt. Will find out tomorrow.

Chris.

Lesly1

Got the car back today. After one of the Timing covers were removed, we were able to tell that the Timing belt had NOT been changed.
For the whole Kit, Belt, Water pump, etc., plus labor (4 Hours) $ 1,000. The Trans oil didn't look the best so I had it Flushed + new Filter for $250.
Now, seeing that I had an Oil, & Oil Filter plus Air Filter done a couple of weeks ago I can say I feel much safer.

Chris......From OZ.

Bgw70

when you say transmission flushed, I hope you mean they replaced the fluid and filter and did NOT connect a power flush machine to the transmission.

Lesly1

I just got off the phone talking with the mechanic. NO, it was not connected to any power flush machine.
He told me that he took off the pan, emptied all the oil, & kept pouring in fresh oil until it was all clean.
New filter & gasket & filled it up.

Chris.....From OZ.