On a 1997 LS 400 with 203k miles on it, the last time the water pump etc. was done was 2002 at 89k miles. My water pump is leaking, as well as oil(?) on my manifold. My mechanic friend says I need a timing component kit and valve covers on a 7 hour job at a cost of $1070.00. Does this sound right? P.S. I bought it 1 year ago from a 1 owner in garage kept excellent condition for $6,000.

 

yes, he is right. the timing belt is scheduled to be changed at every 90,000 miles. you should always do the water pump and the cam and crank seals at the same time, because most of the labor to get to these componenets is already done. do searches and you'll get a lot of info on timing belt changes. look around for independent shops that can do it for less.

 

That is ball park for the complete TB service. Some Tb services can be as low as $700 to $1,600. Just depends on the shop/labor rates and parts needed. One big concern is if the water pump is leaking, how the bearing condition is. Just don't want it to seize and take the engine with it. Fix it ASAP.

 

how much should a timing component kit & valve cover gaskets cost, how many hours to do the job @ what cost per hour and total for the job be? Thank you for all your help from a women who mechanics like to think I'm naive.

 

There are various past threads on TB services.

Basic timing belt service parts:
TB
water pump,
idler
cam seals

If other parts need to be replaced with the front accessible, might as well do it. Could also do the basic tune-up with plugs, caps, rotors and ignition wires. Serpentine belt and idler, thermostat...this can be lots of $ potentially.

Call around. The dealer will be the most $ and the independent will be less. Not all ASE mechanics are equal so finding a shop that specializes in Toyota and this engine in particular will be the safer choice. $1K is pretty good if it includes the basic TB parts replacement. Edit: 7 hours is about right, give take on what also may be needed.

Throw up a pic, we like to see nice LS400's.

 

Someone posted yesterday they were concerned that if my water pump was leaking, how were my bearings that could cause the engine to seize. What is that scenario? Thank you once again. Lexuskim

 

Kim, the timing belt on your car drives the water pump. If the water pump bearing seizes up, the pump refuses to turn which almost immediately tears up your timing belt causing it to fail. With your year of Lexus, a failed timing belt usually results in a considerable amount of damage to your engine (in the many thousands of $).

So, if your pump is leaking, I would park the car ASAP and get the timing belt, water pump and misc. other parts changed out before driving again.

 

A dealer will charge about 12-1400. Any good shop should be able to do this for around 6-700. It should only take about 4-5 hrs for anyone that knows what they are doing. the dealer will tell you 8 hrs.

 

no halfway decent shop will do the whole job for $200 in labor, OEM parts with discounts alone are about $450-500+.

 

i dont know many independent garages that use factory parts.., around here they use napa etc. your right though thats like 2 hour labor