Okay Team I have a 2005 GX470 and love the thing. It has 285K and still going strong. Current problem is a belt noise or some horrible squeaking as soon as it starts. It’s not the fan belt or the AC. It squeaks when the fan isn’t on. Any ideas? Thanks!

-Clark

 

There is only one serpentine belt....

 

Thanks, that certainly narrows it down.. how hard of a job is that? I’ve never done it before.

 

I long breaker bar to lock on to tensioner and retract it and and then some long arms to wrap the belt around the pulleys...if your lucky a few minutes.

 

Go ahead and change the serpentine belt, but be prepared for it to be the tensioner, alternator bearing, etc. Use the diagram on the hood sticker to know how to route the replacement.

How long has it been since the timing belt (it's inside a cover - you can't see it) was changed?

Chip H.

 

The engine fan is always on when the engine is running, and there's only 1 serpentine belt. The engine fan is at the front of the engine and is for the cooling system (radiator, engine coolant), it has nothing to do with the HVAC fan which is behind the glove box.

X2 about the possibility it could be a tensioner or idler pulley rather than the actual belt, but it's never a bad idea to change the belt while you're at it.

 

Compared to the labor costs involved, the cost of throwing a new serpentine belt on there is a minimal upgrade. About $60 from Lexus.
Note that there are two different part numbers, depending on the build date.

Chip H.

 

Thanks, I replaced the belt. My pulleys were good and did not squeak. I haven’t changed the timing chain in 100k, so it may be due. How hard of a job is that? Also, what are those black plastic connectors that hold all of the plastic coverings on called? I broke a bunch of those. Thanks again.
-Clark

 

run a youtube search for a full video to gauge the difficulty. Its roughly 4-6 hours.

 

The 470 uses a timing belt, not a chain (the 460 uses a chain).

It's supposed to be changed at 90k miles or ~7 years. With the other (strongly-suggested!) parts to be replaced at the same time, the cost will be in the $900-1200 range.

Given the consequences of making a mistake, that's something I leave to the professionals.

Chip H.

 

90k or 108 months...9 years

 

Great advice all around, I’ll check out the videos. What are these silly connectors called and how do I remove them without breaking everything?

 

Once they get some road grime in them they never release like they should, just grab a bag of them off Amazon and replace as needed. If you can get them out, you can wash them out and they go back in like they should, so they are reuseable so long as you don't trash them getting them out, lol.

 

Yep. I just bought a bag off Amazon. Just search for the Toyota part number 90467-08217

Chip H.