firewire

Ok so a few days ago I went to Midas to change oil on my '94 ES300, 135K miles. And after about half hour the car was ready but the mechanic gave me some alarming news. He says the timing belt is in bad shape and needs to be replaced ASAP!! Also needs to change the water pump and the total was around $1100. Now of course I started wondering how did they find that out without opening the engine?

I talked to Lexus dealership and they were surprised how Midas could tell if the belt needed to be changed without opening the engine. Now I'm wondering what the experts here think about this? Is there anyway possible you can tell if the timing belt needs to be changed without opening the engine? thanks guys.

sbristow84

iTrader: (1)

Not sure how to tell but $1100. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! There is a toyota/lexus shop here in San Diego CA that will change all my belts and tensioners and pulleys and the water pump for $300. and the cost for all the parts is $400ish. that's $700 total.

01LEXPL

iTrader: (10)

for 1100$ you can buy a "new" old es300

LULZ

JSM1284

They just need to remove the timing cover to check it, doubt they did though. I'm sure they are just recommending that based on age and mileage. Is there a sticker on the timing cover that says if its been replaced before?

firewire

Thanks for the info guys. No theres no sticker on the cover so I guess I need to find someone that will change it for a reasonable price.

tomstep2

I had my all my belts (including timing belt), pulleys, water pump and thermostat changed for $500 from my local mechanic. That was parts & labor. Shop around with independant shops that you trust. $1100 is way too expensive. Just make sure that when you get the belt changed, all pulleys are replaced at the same time. Might cost you an extra $100, but it will be less expensive for you in the long run.

Good Luck!

PlatES300

iTrader: (1)

parts for the timing belt shouldn't be more than 350 or so even with all OEM parts. Labor is about 3 hours or so as long as you don't run into any problems. I've changed the timing belt on 3 different ES300's and no way should it be $1100. Maybe close to 600 or 700 maybe but $1100 is straight highway robbery.

ASG14

iTrader: (1)

I'm actually changing a Belt, water pump, seals, tensioner, etc on a SuperCharged 1MZ-FE in 10 hours, lol. That shop you went to is full of ****. Don;t go back.

IF it;s never been done thought, this is what should be done if you plan to keep the car for a long time:
-T-Belt
-Water Pump
-Thermostate
-Tensioner
-Cam Seals
-Crank Seal
-Idler Pullies (optional, but may as well).

I personally only use OEM or Dayco parts for this job.

D-Boi

iTrader: (5)

i just chcked for a timing belt kit on rockauto and they have a Dayco one for 220 bucks with the:

belt
waterpump
Actuator
Cam belt idler
cam belt tensioner

for 220 bucks

however Aisin makes the same kit but without the actuator for

130 bucks, is this because Aisin is junk ?

renatodato

Don't buy the Aisin kit. Stick with the Dayco. I've had bad experiences with the Aisin product. I got the same Dayco timing kit from RockAuto and very happy with it.

Specter

First... learn to change your oil. It's easy.

Second... don't go to Midas. Always trying to up sell unnecessary work.

Third... look for a independent shop that works on Toyotas.

Good luck.

D-Boi

iTrader: (5)

Hey RENATO,
I was able to piece a better kit from rock auto for much cheaper

the timing belt and pullies (Dayco) are 57 bucks as a kit

waterpump (Bosch) 57 bucks

cam and crank seals like 8 bucks

now is the actuator recommended to change with the timing belt or no?

GSteg

iTrader: (15)

Save the money and go with the Aisin kit. Rarely do the actuators need to be replaced. It's the bearings that tend to go way before the actuator.

Aisin is not junk. They make your OEM water pump and transmission.

D-Boi

iTrader: (5)

I think the aisin kit is still too much, i think piecing it together is the best deal such as:

1.DAYCO Part # 95257K1 - Timing belt/Camshaft Idler/Camshaft Tensioner - $56.99

2.TIMKEN Part # 224020 - Crankshaft seal - $4.00

3.BECK/ARNLEY Part # 0523591 - Camshaft seal - $3.73 x2 (2 needed per vehicle)

4.BOSCH Part # 97162 (OE REplacement) - Waterpump - $58.79

5.FEL-PRO Part # 35594 - Waterpump Gasket - $ 4.91



The Aisin kit does not come with the cam or crank seals.

So to piece everything together it would cost $132 and you are using a Bosch Waterpump and Dayco T Belt and pullies which are better than the Aisin ones.

I think this is the route i will go with, plus a new thermostat and thermostat gasket and i will still be under the 230 they want on RockAuto for the Dayco kit.

GSteg

iTrader: (15)

At least go with the Aisin water pump. It's $57 and I believe it already comes with the gasket so no need to buy the Felpro.