e-man

Hey guys. Thanks for all the additional info. I read the invoice. The belt was $80, the pump was $170, coolant was $65 or so. That's it. There are no additional parts listed. I would have gladly paid the extra $50 for the pulley/tensioner or whatever it needed if I had been asked. I perform all maintenance at the dealer, and at the same dealer. No one else touches my car. If something goes wrong, I assume they will back me. If the root of all evils is the water pump failing, at least I have a new one of those. I will definitely ask the question as to why they didn't change the tensioner or pulley, but my guess is that they will tell me that they've never seen those parts fail and that I have nothing to worry about. I agree it's silly that I wasn't asked the question.

I'll report back when I address it with them. Thanks for all the help.

e

darimura

I am looking at purchasing a 2006 GS430, I gave the Lexus dealer the VIN# to verify if the timing belt had been replaced and he said that the belt was a metal chain and would never have to be replaced, can any verify this?

kenne01l

I recently bought a 2006 GS430 back in December so I guess not that recent but it feels like it since its been winter and I haven't really been able to enjoy the car but its warming up now! I bought mine with 116,000 miles on it and I told the dealer my only hesitation to buying it was it didn't have any signs of the belt being replaced, so they replaced it for me with a new Lexus parts. The old belt was a belt not a metal chain like newer V6's come with.

kenne01l

Oh and yes I have had a belt snap on me. 1990 Toyota Celica 2.2L belt snapped on me doing 70mph on the freeway. Very loud smack sound and it trashed the timing belt cover. I had 220,000 miles on that car.

worker

only need repair the cover and a new belt?

kenne01l

Its been about 8 years or so since that happened but I think it led to a new motor. I honestly don't remember I tried hard to forget that car as I really shouldn't have bought it (young and dumb) It might have been a new belt and cover unless that motor is interference then it might have wrecked the head. Either way not a fun time

sam12345

iTrader: (1)

None interference

Othic

Only 430s have a belt. GS300,350 and 460 have a chain

gshoq

I checked my owner's manual and maintenance schedule and there's no mentioning of timing belt. In fact, it says it says my 2008 GS 460 has timing chain and the only model that needs a timing belt change at 90,000 is the SC. When I had my 90,000 service recently, the service adviser mentioned the serpentine belt looks like it needs to be replaced. I looked under the hood and lo and behold there is a belt with pulleys. I checked the parts diagram and there is a serpentine belt 90916-02637 along with water pump assembly 16100-39506. I'm confused as to what needs to be replaced at this point. Tips would be appreciated.

gshoq

I looked again and it looks like the engine camshaft and timing uses a timing chain
http://www.mylparts.com/parts/2008/L...iagram=F885045

And the cooling system uses a serpentine belt.
http://www.mylparts.com/parts/2008/L...iagram=8945715

Is the question posed by the OP pertaining to the belt used for the cooling system?

Othic

GS430 has a timing belt... I have a 2006 GS430 and I changed the t-belt myself. I work on the Lexus line for a living. Believe me, it has a t-belt. the water pump is also driven by the t-belt. Not the serpentine belt.

worker

but have you seen a GS430 with a broken belt? and how bad was the damage?

Othic

GS430 no.. LS430 yes. Same engine. This was maybe 5 or 6 years ago. I don't recall the outcome though. When they break the best case scenario are some bent valves. Worse case cracked pistons, bent valves, damage to head etc.. so new engine at that point..

JJW45

I also have a 2006 GS430 (April 2005) that I bought in Sept 2016 with only 65,000 miles. Even though the miles are low enough, the maintenance manual states that the timing belt should be replaced at 108 months. Now it's three years past due and I'm a little afraid to drive it too much. When I bought it, the dealer (not a Lexus dealer) told me that it had a timing chain so I wasn't worried. I discovered just this week that it has a belt. Went back to the dealer and they're saying that there's a lot of latitude in the age stated in the manuals and that I don't have to worry. Does anyone know of a timing belt lasting longer than 12 years? I'm planning to have it replaced soon so I'll report back on the condition of the belt. (The car was in Wisconsin for 11 years.) Also plan to replace the serpentine belt at the same time. Appreciate getting the list of items included in the "kit."

93SCMax

Frankly, I'd think you are OK. Most manufacturers list a mileage and timeframe for a timing belt change. Most cars hit the mileage before the timeframe. Since your car is 11 years old but only has 65K, I think you are OK if you have regularly maintained it and haven't abused it.

I have a 1994 Nissan 300zx with 90k miles on it. The maintenance manual states 105k miles for a timing belt change. After 21 years, I finally had it changed out...just for piece of mind. Thing was still in good condition. Car wasn't abused or driven hard, but I thought the belt might be getting brittle...not he case. As mentioned in some of the earlier responses, the bigger issue is probably the belt tensioner and the water pump seizing. So the real question may be, how does your coolant look and how comfortable are you concerning previous maintenance?

If I was in your situation, I'd drive the car as normal, and schedule a belt change when you have the $ and have the time to get it in to the dealer. I'd also get the coolant and belt tensioner changed. I also agree with your getting the serpentine belt changed at the same time.

Good luck.