LS400UCF20

I took the car for the 90k mile service and all they did was change the timing belt, water pump, and crank shaft seal for a total of $800 parts and labor. They also changed the spark plugs for $190 labor and $84 for the spark plugs. All parts used were OEM Lexus.

I feel that $190 just in labor to change the spark plugs is high but that is not my main issue. My main issue is that they did not perform a full 90k mile service. I feel that $800 for a partial service is to high when you compare what my local dealer is charging which is $1,400 and change for a full 90k mile service. I am also upset that they did not change the tensioner and idlers. It really bugs me to pay so much and still be worried about the tensioner or idlers taking out the timing belt and ruining the engine. The next timing belt service is not due for another 90k mile by that time the tensioner and idlers will have close to 200k miles if they even make it that far. I am upset I payed so much in labor and they didn't change the tensioner and idlers while they already had everything apart. They only work on Lexus and were recommended so I felt they knew what they were doing and were honest but I am not so sure now. I feel like I should have researched this more but isn't this the reason why you go to a specialist, also you can't be an expert in everything, you need to depend on people that know and are reputable every now and then.

I am reading that part of the 90k mile service is an oil change, air filter, ac filter, transmission fluid change, diff fluid change and I don't know what else but if I add those items it probably would have cost considerably more than what the dealer charges. I have a feeling that is why they took so many short cuts and didn't do a full 90k mile service on the car. They did not even check the air pressure on the tires. I asked them that when I picked up the car and they looked unsure on what they were going to say and then said no. That was the first red flag.

Is the tensioner and idler replacement important? I am worried about loosing the engine since it is an interference engine and I drive a lot. That is the reason why I did the 90k mile service in the first place. All opinions would be greatly appreciated.

dicer

Yep all those pulleys etc up front need to be changed, if the car was only 7 years old maybe they could fly till next time. You get what you pay for. The dealer would have been the better bet.

YODAONE

1.) Contact another Lexus dealer or one out of State and ask them what component are necessary in a 90K timing belt change. Ask for written estimate containing parts breakdown
Be prepared they may ask you for your name, number and VIN #. Do NOT provide VIN.

2.).AISIN's (Lexus OEM supplier) timing belt kit (Rock Auto) includes water pump, water pump gasket, assorted O-rings, timing belt, tensioner pulley, hydraulic tensioner, idler pulley... Aisin must know something that the individual who worked on your car does not...

3.) Did you obtain a written estimate parsing out labor rate, hours, and parts estimate before authorizing the work be performed??

4.) Did you check work areas to be sure they didn't break the plastic radiator shroud, plastic tabs or connectors on anything they disassembled.

5.) Did you pay by credit card?

6.) Did they replace any of the smaller rubber hoses around water inlet housing/throttle body?

7.) Here's another. Ask to speak to the technician directly (not the service manager who may try to B.S. you.....) Ask the tech for torque he applied to the varoius engine fasteners(refer to a shop manual for these specs) ( I bet he did not use a torque wrench at all and will be unable to tell you any) Lexus shop manual is adament that torque specifications be followed...metal fasteners going into aluminum makes this critical ..
If no torque specs are provided, insist a redo.


8.) What is name of the illustrious dealer?

Banshee365

What part of FL are you in?

LS400UCF20

It was an independent shop that only works on Lexus (former Lexus dealer tech). I did not take it there to save money. I took it there because they were recommended and I have heard bad stories about the local Lexus dealer.

I noticed today that the coolant level is below the low level line. I don't know if it is a leak because of the water pump replacment or simply the coolant system has air in it. It is going back to the shop regardless of the cause because this is unacceptable and I want it checked out. I am not going to spend my time or money to purchase a gallon of Toyota coolant and find out that it has a leak. I feel I have spent plenty of money and expect it to be perfect after I pick it up, which it hasn't.

RA40

iTrader: (6)

That's sad to hear they shorted some of the typical TB service parts. Dealing with straight forward honest service appraisals helps in maintaining the car properly and builds trust in your service shop. Instances like this are Not everyone is aware so even with an up sell these shops usually would suggest everything-more so you can discuss and decide.

Losiracer2

I would say you paid appropriately for a Lexus specialist shop for a TB/WP service with parts since they charge more than a normal mechanic but less than the dealer for tech labor. They really should have replaced the tensioners and idler bearings though, as if those go bad, you basically have to do a Timing belt replacement. I paid 400 in labor out the door to an independent shop (basically 1 guy that owns his on business and garage and is the whole operation) that did not specialize in Lexus/Toyota vehicles. I know this because it took him an extra 2 days to get it put back together correctly. At first, when I picked up the car, the car started misfiring and wouldn't go higher than 3k RPMs so I knew the timing was off and left it back with him to redo. Second time it was corrected but he improperly bled the coolant and didn't add any after removing the water pump, causing me to almost overheat on the way home. Luckily I only drove 2 miles before turning around and it was November so it wasn't hot out. He had to add almost a half gallon of coolant to the T-stat housing fill hole and I drove home. He didn't use Toyota Red coolant either just some universal stuff, so that worried me a bit. But I've put on 26k miles and over a year since and nothing's gone wrong so I'm not concerned anymore. So I guess you get what you pay for. These independent shops are cheaper because they have to be cheaper and they do this by cutting corners on parts if they're not visually broken or worn out and not using Lexus OE parts or fluids (in my case coolant). Remember they make more money off you replacing parts bit by bit as they wear out since they get to charge you labor again. You've gotta ride their *** to make sure it gets done the way YOU want it and be clear about that upfront, otherwise they're just going to do what they think is fit.

But I supplied him my RockAuto Aisin Timing belt kit TKT030 (currently $176.79) that included everything: timing belt, water pump, thermostat, idler pulleys and bearings, hydraulic belt tensioner and all necessary gaskets and O-rings for the job. I went to Toyota and purchased the crank seal and bought the cam seals off Rockauto (Fel-pro, Japanese made) that they had on closeout for 2.50 each to save a few bucks off the dealer. I did everything except the accessory drive belt since I could see that's still in good shape.

The spark plug and wire installation is quite a chore, very labor intensive. It took me about an hour and a half to properly route the wires in their exact channels and clips in order for the valve cover trim pieces to fit properly over them. You have to take apart the intake system all the way to the throttle body. Luckily I also had JY distributor caps and rotors that I knew were recently replaced that I wanted my mechanic to install and he did that but didn't do the plug wires and plugs since it wasn't part of the procedure to do the timing belt replacement. He wanted to charge me another 100 bucks labor to replace my wires and plugs and another 50 for the VC gaskets so I declined. I somewhat needed to do my valve cover gaskets, as mine are slightly oily but not dripping, but I still haven't done that to this day (still oily but not dripping), 26k miles later as its a pain in the *** and labor intensive.

I'm not going back to him next time, he's not familiar with Lexus cars at all and could've caused engine damage with the timing being set incorrectly as it was, since my 97 is an interference engine (valves hit pistons). There were other Lexus specialists but they wanted 500-550 in labor if I supplied the kit, so I may go with them to avoid the hassle next time.

YODAONE

Timing belt kit components...

Also...it is unclear what brand water pump, o-rings, waterpump gasket(the aftermarket gaskets are crap) FIPG and timing belt was used.

Did shop return your old parts?

Purchased a used LS400 with timing belt service receipt (non Toyota or Lexus) and the "new" non-Aisin water pump seal started leaking out of weep hole in about 10K.

Toyota red coolant not used?? Have them drain the entire system and redo. I have observed Toyota Red and green coolant that seperates like oil and water

Attached is image of parts list for Aisin timing belt kit TKT-021(with hydraulic tensioner) for 1998-2000 LS400.

I also like to replace the special shoulder bolt and washer used on the tensioner pulley. This is what OEM Aisin provides for timing belt kit replacement. If your indy mechanic did not replace all of these items, then you need to have a discussion. Give him an out...either he does the job correctly or you take it elsewhere and turn it over to the lawyer for collection.

dicer

When you take it back I would first stop payment. And then tell them they have 2 choices, # 1 to do the job correctly and replace all the items that have bearings that the timing belt turns, except of course the internal engine bearings, I'm talking pulleys / idler pulleys etc. # 2 a full warranty on all the items that they did not replace, meaning if something happens to them before the next scheduled timing belt replacement that all cost are covered by them. Sounds to me that they don't know a thing about working on high years older cars and engines.