Hello all,

I have a 1998 GS300 with about 87,000 miles. I don't kill my car at all. I am a pretty conservative driver. Anyway, do I really need to change my timing belt at this time? The dealer of course tells me YES but I have heard from many people that I can easily wait until I get to about 100-110K.

What are your thoughts on this?

Thanks all!

 

Only once every 90k miles, I would replace it at 90K service.

 

agreed it would be in your best intrest to replace and do the 90 k service so you can make it to 110k

 

yeah, better safe than sorry, i would do it too

 

It's usually done at 90k. You can also do a quick visual inspection of the belt by removing the four allen bolts that holds the plastic cover on top of the engine. Doesn't take long at all. And you can know for sure what kind of condition the belt is in.
Will

 

I would love to perform that visual check, but can you tell us what to look for? How can I estimate the condition?

I also heard that in the GS300 the engine is designed so that if the belt were to break, no damage would result... unlike most engines where there would be all kinds of damage.

thanks!

 

I did mine at around 110K miles. I didn't sense any problem with the car before taking it in. Though I wouldn't recommend it.

Do the water pump at the same time...it'll save ya some $$ on labor and incidental charge since they'll be accessing the same area and need to drain the cooling system to the timing belt.

 

yup definitely do the water bump as well

 

Anyone know of a reputable place in Los Angeles where I can get this done? I called one Lexus dealer and they are charging me about $1000 for the 90K service on my 1998 GS300!

Has anyone ever been to FOLAMI AUTOMOTIVE in Los Angeles? www.lexustoyotarepair.com

Thanks!

 

Hi, I'm not trying to hijack the thread but for those of you who had their timing belt changed, did you guys notice some change in the ride quality? In my case, when pressing on the gas, it does not feel "smooth" anymore. It feels like it's vibrating really fast. Anybody has this problem? Thanks.

 

No problems with mine. I couldn't sense any difference before and after...car still performs like a dream.

Did you take it to a dealer for work. If so, have them check it out.

 

email todd@tmengineering.net about the service. he's a vendor here, does good work

 

Lost,
You would look for any cracks on the top and the backside of the belt, shiney lines on top of the belt, caused by the teeth on the cam sprockets, water pump and the crank sprocket. Also, as the belt degrades, fibers from the belt start coming off and collect under that plastic cover. It would appear as a fuzzy film. These are definate signs of wear. Change it soon.

Btw, correct me if I'm wrong. On the engines with VVT-i, if the belt breaks, yes you could still bend some valves. Thats why the factory recommends that the T-belt be replaced at 90k. It would also be recommended that the water pump, and the front crank seal be replaced at the same time, since the front of the engine is already appart. Have fun inspecting your T-belt.
Will

 

But are all GS300s' inline sixes non interference motors? I'm wondering about my 93'!!

 

I second that...I would trust him with ALL my cars...he is that good.

Brent