Hey guys i just picked up a 2006 ls430 a couple days ago with 89k miles i just took a look at my timing belt and it can easily read numbering and lettering on the belt still can I hold off on changing it and for how long? i’ve got a pretty bad oil leak and id like to address that first before dishing out the money for a new timing belt
I’ve provided a photo as well
thank you

 

Unpredictable. Stop and go driving puts way more stress on the belt vs highway. If the belt breaks you will kiss your engine goodbye, willing to take that risk?

 

i thought there were generally give away signs of significant wear like cracking and fraying. i want to replace it for peace of mind but i don’t have the money at the moment and would rather address the oil leak it has first. im not trying to put it off i just want to know i’ll be safe driving it in the mean time considering the belt looks pretty good? that’s why i came here was to get opinions on the belt

 

Do you know where the oil leak is coming from? Btw, I've always changed my timing belts when they reach the 100k mark (give or take a few k). I have a friend who told me he hadn't had it changed since buying it 180k miles ago. LeX2K said it right, are you willing to take the risk? Personally IMO, you may have another 10-15k miles before giving it serious consideration. I've never heard of a timing belt giving out before 100k miles, but there's other things that can happen with the same disastrous results such as seized water pump, idler, or tensioner bearings. GL.
Cheers.

 

Some people claim timing belts never break. I've personally seen broken belts that still looked good besides the break. I've seen belts that were frayed and cracked beyond belief but still in one piece. I worked on a Supra that had a bit over 200,000 miles as far as I could tell the belt was original. It wasn't severely cracked, it bent super easy the reinforcements were totally worn out.
If the belt has no oil contamination then it's probably okay. You are rolling the dice there is no getting around it.

One thing to keep in mind is the idler and tensioner bearings are old meaning the grease is probably dried out. This risks them seizing and taking the belt with them.

 

The service manual states 90k miles or 6 years for Timing Belt replacement and yours does look in pretty good condition, but there are no guarantees.
It could do another 90k miles or could snap sometime in those 90k miles.
If it has ever been replaced before, then you are probably OK, but if it's the original 2006 belt then it's heavily over that 6 years, and I'd get it changed sooner rather than later.
The LS430 has an interference engine so if the belt does snap, then 95% of the time it totals the engine.

 

90k or 9 years. https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...-interval.html

 

I had it done a few months ago @165K miles. If the oil leak is valve cover gaskets, I would fix that first.

 

This question comes up about once every month. It is usually asked by someone that doesnt want to spend $1400-$1600 to get it done. Their motivation is to "save money" It is not to just use the belt because it is still good. Yes there have been cars that used the belt after 90K and suffered no damage.

That said, the cost of replacing the engine could run over $5000. Is it worth it? If that belt breaks because you did not want to invest the money in a replacement when the company that made the car suggested it should be done, are you good with a bill of $5000 to repair the damage?

If someone tells you that not changing the oil ever may not harm your car. (and there are cars where that has been done and they still run 50K miles later) Would you buy that car? Would you leave the oil because, "it looks good to me"!

The difference between these two scenarios is the amount of money! That is the ONLY difference. If you own a Lexus, that is the expense you pay to have a car that will last 500K miles or more. How much did you save on other maintenance? Do you want to throw all that down the drain just because the belt "looked good"?

Suck it up and pay the dues so you can sit at the table.

 

I saved my belt when I had it done for the first time in 2017 at 77k. The markings were still visible and it would have easily lasted for years without issue. As @LeX2K stated though, there are other parts associated with the belt that may fail and take out a perfectly good belt as well as your engine.

For my car, I'll be at the 9 year mark well before I'm at 90k since the last change. I'm sure it will be fine but at that point, I want to do all of the other components again because the constant exposure to Texas heat has to take a toll eventually. Buy once, cry once.

 

I recently changed an original timing belt on a 98 LS400 at 146,000 miles, 25 years. Used a Toyota dealer and provided the Aisin Kit. Nine years is VERY conservative on the life expectancy of the belt IMHO. My '98 is a WA car, lived its whole life in a cool climate.

 

Very well said, that's one of the reasons I became a diy'er, and the other reason is having confidence the job will be done right! With the exception of wheel alignments and tire installations NOBODY touches my Lex:-)

 

When you think about it. 30 oil changes with filter over 90K miles is more expensive than the belt but no one questions if that is necessary?

 

the first sentence says it all
just picked up with almost 90,000 miles because somebody didnt want to pay
you got a bargain, fall in love with the car before you spend the big money

 

Interesting, the one I have is for a 2002 LS430 and it says 90,000 Miles or 72 Months.
I always thought it was 9 years, but then I found that doc online.