spxChrome

Is the 99 ES 300 timing belt one of those kind if it breaks it will damage the car or does the car know the belt broke and shut down without doing further damage? Not sure what is it called but I know some cars will do that to prevent further damage and didn't know if it 99 ES had it.

thanks

amf1932

It's called an "interference" engine, and the '99ES has it, which means if your timing belt breaks it could do, and most likely WILL do extensive damage to your engine. The engine would shut down because the valves would stop operating. If the valve was open when the belt broke, then the piston would go crashing into the valve, thus ruining the piston, connecting rod, etc. You kinda get the picture.

spxChrome

Ug, that sucks. I am at 90K miles and the timing belt suggested replacing at 90K. Wonder how much precaution they add to that. What's everyone opinion about timing belts changing at 90K? One suggestion is just to open it up and check to see if needs replacing. Don't know how hard that is to get to on the 99ES??

amf1932

If the car has close to 90K miles I would just save up my pennies and get it replaced as soon as possible.
A belt can look good to the eye, but that doesn't insure that it won't snap. It's cheaper than replacing the engine.

Trexus

Your best bet is to replace your timing belt at 90K for proper and preventative maintenance. I had mine changed at 90k and at 180k. Currently my 1996 ES 300 has 209,000 miles and she still runs great and I know I can go another 209K miles.

spxChrome

Do I dare ask the cost? And what other items should I get replaced while they are in there to save some money for future replacements. Like the water pump, anything else?

amf1932

I can't tell you the price of this repair, but I can tell you it's always a good idea to change the water pump while they do a timing belt change.

spxChrome

Any other parts like belts, hoses or sensors in the same area?

tks

flipside909

good time to replace both power steering and a/c belts as well. You can get those parts from your local Toyota dealer as well as the timing belt much less than the Lexus parts counter. Just ask for the 1MZ-FE VVT-i belts for the 2000 Avalon, 2001 Highlander V6 or etc.

amf1932

While you're at it you might want to change your hoses also.

lexusk8

When you bring your car in for the 90K service, they will most certainly replace the timing belt (as well as the tensioner, pulleys, etc.), AND they will inspect the water pump since it is accessed where the t-belt is removed. Lexus service usually determines if the water pump needs to be replaced or not based upon the inspection, so just keep in mind that the water pump does not necessarily need to be replaced at the 90K.

As an example, when I had the timing belt replaced, I also had my water pump replaced when I had my '96 ES, but not on my current '01 ES.

amf1932

Regardless of what Lexus determines, I still feel at 90K miles it's certainly a good idea to change the water pump, since it will be removed during the timing belt operation and it's a comparatively inexpensive part. Why chance it to save a few bucks? You know the old adage about being "penny wise and pound foolish".

lexusk8

I don't doubt you Alan on your thoughts of saving the work and having it all done at one time, but to be honest with you I still feel it's optional to have the water pump replaced at the 90K. In fact, the water pump is not even mentioned in the owner's manual services. If the water pump does not appear to be leaking, then it is not necessary to change it out (i.e. waste of money to change out a water pump in already good condition). Maintaining the coolant fluid ensures the life of the water pump. The pump kinda works in conjunction with the timing belt, in the sense that when the water pump leaks, it will come to a stop after some time and will cause the t-belt to break, hence shutting down the engine (refer to amf1932's 1st post in this thread for consequences of a bad timing belt).

flipside909

Doug, i'm gonna have to agree with you on this one. I've had 2 1MZ-FE powered vehicles that i've done timing belt changes to, and have NOT replaced the water pumps for "preventive" measures. Water pumps don't go out as long as your cooling system is properly maintained. Once again, it shows there are some here that have not really had any real qualified "Toyota" product experiences as they have not owned or driven many Toyota/Lexus products past the 100k mark.

amf1932

OK, gang up on the new guy........but maybe you should read this: Especially this paragraph,"In general the water pump is one of the weaker components of the engine and often fails before the engine does. It's a good idea to replace the water pump especially if this is the second belt replacement for the engine (120,000 miles)."
http://www.off-road.com/toyota/tech/v6tbelt/