BradleyO

So I have a Lexus es300 2001 that I've had for about 2 years everything under the hood looks clean obviously you can't see it in these photos.




The problem is that the timing belt has a sticker that states the last belt change occurred in 12/24/2007 almost 11years ago at 88,000 miles. The car is currently sitting at 190,000 miles everything runs smoothly and I drive lightly. I won't have the money to replace it for another month. My question is do I still drive it to work (about 11 miles to work 22 in total per day) or do I search for another means of commute. I keep the car well maintained and don't want the belt breaking on me.

Oro

You will be fine. But don't ignore this a long time.

The stated belt change interval is 90k/7 years. That is a period figured on a failure rate that, of most cars in average use, 99.x% won't fail in that time. There are many cars running on belts well past that interval. The year component of the recommendation seems to not matter as long as you do not live in a very, very hot climates or exceedingly dry one. So if you are in coastal California, let's set that aside that you are at 10 years vs. the recommended 7.

All that said, don't put it off indefinitely and at 100k on the belt, I'd be looking to do it soon. But I would not be terrified to drive it a month or so. Make sure they (or you?) do the tensioner at the same time - they are often not good for two entire belt intervals (BTDT). Are you sure the tensioner was changed at the last interval? I believe Lexus recommended it ever interval. Acura did not, and a used Acura I bought was on the 2nd belt and same tensioner, and I lost the tensioner (and thus timing, etc.) at 156k - and it was the exact same Aisin tensioner as is on these cars. Most good timing belt kits include a new tensioner, pulley, water pump, etc. Consider also your spark plug interval and when they were last changed? It can be a big job if you can't do it yourself because the intake has to come off to get to the rear bank. I have seen cars where the front bank was done, but the mechanic got lazy and skipped the rear. The interval is every 120k. Whenever you do get to the plugs, check the rear valve cover for leaks as it can be done for little extra money at the same time. It gets hot back there and they tend to leak by 200k miles or sooner.

Another important maintenance item on this year is the transmission fluid change interval and maybe some additive like Lubegard Red. They are somewhat fragile (99 to 01 w/U140e transmission). If the car is new to you, be aware of that and maintain it well.

BradleyO

@oro Hmm I live in California so I'm scared, I told the mechanic that I wouldn't be able to do it for a month and he said it's has passed 100,000 miles since it was last changed and that it has been 11 years. He made it sound like it would break if I drove outta his lot. No mechanic has brought it up before besides him and after googling it I became to fearful to try driving it. And yeah I keep my car maintained nicely transmission oil changed in Nov 2017. Coolant and both coolant hoses changed. Dec 2017 synthetic oil changed. Jan 2018 Had an engine clean and changed air hose leading from air filter cabin to engine. And knock sensors and harness changed sometime in 2016.