I have my 05 in for 60,000 service right now and they are recommending doing the timing belt and water pump replacement. I was under the impression that it was a 90,000 replacement but they are telling me it is actually 6 years or 90,000 whichever come first. I understand that age is relevant but are folks actually doing this?

 

I"m anxious to hear the responses on this. On the one hand the belt probably does deteriorate to some degree with age but you'd think the wear and tear would be much greater when it's actually under use.

 

The thing with timing belts is they are perfectly fine, until they aren't. And if you have an interference engine, they cause lots of expensive damage when they all of a sudden aren't.

That being said, I have an '04 on the original timing belt, and I'm planning on waiting till I hit 145,000kms to change it, along with the water pump, and whatever else they recommend for that service. I'll likely change the tranny fluid at the same time.

 

I have a GX470 with 200K on it, without changing the timing belt. However, I have pushed my luck
a bit too far. This past week, I changed the battery and now can't keep the car running, unless I keep the accelerator peddle down.
Think I jumped a link on the belt. Doesn't look good.
Can anyone help me on this?

 

lexus as do most other manufacturers over estimate service intervals, i would still stick to the milage on the timing belt vs time unless water pump starts leaking sooner. It was 7 over 7 years before i made it to 90K and did belt. so go from there, you will have to spend the money eventually...just a matter of when.

 

Ours was changed at 98k, cost for just the timing belt and labor was $495. The water pump, idler assembly, belts and coolant were $747 with labor. So for $1286 I had all high mileage done at our local Lexus dealership.

 

Some folks at your Lexus dealer must have flunked reading and/or math. The GX Maintenance Log (included in your "brick") clearly states that the timing belt must be replaced at 108 months (that's NINE years) or 90,000 miles.

 

That's what I thought. Just did mine with factory Aisin waterpump at 104k miles it is an 04. That out mine at 9 years and 100k miles.

 

I did mine at 6yrs, 115k miles. It honestly looked like new when I had it replaced.

It's one of those things, you don't know till you swap it or it fails.

 

Dealer called today stating the car is done.Service guy told my wife that the car purrs and runs like new.Not sure why it would run any better,but,I will see for myself tomorrow as we are picking it up. Its a 2004 with 109 k.We just had the timing belt,water pump,and the oil was changed.Total bill including sales tax was $1034 and change. We called a Toyota dealership for a price to do the same worlk minus the oil change and they wanted almost $1300.00. So much for Toyota being less expensive.

By the way,for those putting the WP/Timing Belt off,we were told by a service rep not to go over 120k as you may be pushing ypur luck.

 

That's still premium pricing. The entire TB kit with waterpump and included tensioners from Factory used Aisin was $250 from Rock Auto, add Lexus thermostat and long life coolant for another $60. I had an Indy mechanic install all for $340 labor which totaled $650 out the door.

 

Those are great prices for sure,but,I just feel better about getting major parts from a Lexus dealer. By the way,what do you mean by an "Indy" mechanic?

On a side note,on the top of the invoice,theres a note that states...."the timing belt should be replaced after 5 years regardless of mileage".

Who's going to do that if their 5 year old car has 50k on it or so?

 

Indy means independent garage or shop, i.e not a stealership.