deanbrown

96 LS400 242K

Will this work: Before I take off the old belt, I paint on a mark or two on each cog, and on the belt, different colors so I don't get mixed up. I then remove the belt, which has the same number of teeth as the new one, and hold them both up together, and re-paint the same marks on the new belt. Put on the new belt, making sure they line up with the marks on the cogs. Done?

I'm sure there's something wrong with this, but I can't see why this is not the general procedure, assuming you have a properly-installed belt to begin with. Am I wrong?

Thanks

Dean

ps I'm about the do a full write-up of the process (if it works out) for my 96 LS400, unless any of you gentlemen can point me to an existing write-up. All I've seen is the 94 write-up.

LiCelsior

iTrader: (32)

get a OEM belt and there are marks on it already.

billydpowe

iTrader: (1)

A quality belt already has the marks on it: I use: http://www.store.partsdinosaur.com/page247.html

deanbrown

It's just that there seems to be frequent confusion because certain belts have different misleading marks on them, leading to mix-ups and nightmare reports.

billydpowe

iTrader: (1)

show me a link to one

deanbrown

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls4...ge-issues.html

billydpowe

iTrader: (1)

WOW, if I had seen that, I think I would have traded cars....

wonder why ALL of mine have worked, I have done a total of 6 LS400 TB/WP jobs. one with OEM parts & 5 with Dinosauer parts. .. just lucky I guess..

thanks for the link... I wonder what the real problem was????

deanbrown

Yes, bit scary, don't know what could have been the problem, maybe something broke or one of the sensors died or something. And that was not the only thread like that.

So, how long does it take (first time)? I know the dealership wanted something like 8 hours a few years back.

If anyone's in Princeton (NJ) and would like to help and write up the procedure with me, let me know! Takes me forever to do things like this first time.

Cheers,
Dean

deanshark

Painting marks on the old belt and matching it to a new one wont work b/c belts stretch. The marks you need to be concerned about are the timing marks on the engine and pulleys. The factory marks on the belt just make it easier. It's pretty much the same as the tutorial on lexls.com but I remember seeing a full tutorial on the timing belt for a 95-97 but I can't remember which site it was on. I'll look for it later tonight. I did mine twice, with the manual, the first time it took me about 12 - 14 hours but that is with cleaning ALL the oil off everything b/c of the PS pump leaks. This last time I did the whole job in 20* weather, about 10 - 12 hours working time. It's not hard, just time consuming.

billydpowe

iTrader: (1)

first one about 10 hours, now, about 6. I (WE, my nephew helps me, since I am 77) have done 2 of my own, my brother (that I sold to him), and 3 friends (1LS400 & 2 LX470's.

deanbrown

Ok thanks for the info - I have the kit on order (from Amazon). Community here gives such reassurance

Dean if you can find the post for the 95-97 I would be just over-the-moon! I'll have another look tonight too.

(Other) Dean

deanshark

I found the one I was thinking of but it's for the 98-00. But I found this one for a 96. It looks the same as the 90-94. http://www.lextreme.com/timing.htm I know it deffinately changed for the 98-00. You say you ordered the kit, does it come with everything? There's a kit on Rockauto.com for under $250, comes with belt, water pump, both idler bearings, and tensioner. When you change the T-belt you should also change the crank and camshaft seals. It's only another 15 minutes labor and everybody recomends it. I got all 3 of mine for less then $10 at Rockauto. Also check your distributor caps and rotors, change if needed.

deanbrown

Great thanks for the link - its for the 96 as you say.

This is the kit I bought: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003AJZMI8 It comes with the accessory belt too, and several assorted seals.

Maybe I should get new dissy caps and rotors, on 240K? I do hear some valve chatter these days, not sure if all this will help.

deanbrown

Oh - did your kit come with a gasket for the water pump or did you use a tube of sealant?

tonyfazt

i bought a timing belt at autozone and i dont recomend u do the same it shredded a lot with in 1 drive there were particles all over ( i had to remove again for water leak) so i went to orielly and bought a gates timing belt 20 more but well worth it and it has all the marks with r (right) l (left ) and c(crank)