Hello, my car is reaching the 90K mark and I am gathering procedures for a DIY timing belt change; here from CL. Is it necessary to change the idlers and water pump even if they look good?

In short, if its not broken, why fix it?

t

 

I was asking myself the same question and believe me I have seeing plenty of the perfectly looking and spinning idlers and tensioners coming out form other cars.
Just had my TB replaced couple of days ago and I am glad I had all the parts lined up including the serpentine belt and the tensioners.
I could give you more specifics on what I felt was wrong with each component, but they all felt to me as not worth putting back for another 90k. BTW, i have 83k at the moment. I doubt they'd literally fail within 30-40k, but they would become noisier and the risk is just not worth the trouble IMO. Savings just not anywhere close to outweighing the risks.
It's kind of ironic, but the only two parts that looked and felt to be in the best shape ended up been the timing belt and the water pump. Go figure.
I kind of regret now I did not think of replacing a short hose connecting thermostat outlet with the head. I think someone mentioned replacing it as an option, but I just did not pay attention.
Now, I doubt it's worth taking it out, access is very limited.

 

I have my 10 year old OE , 77,000 mile timing belt in the trunk of my car. It's in excellent shape and IMHO could have gone another 77,000 miles. The idlers and water pump were okay and the dealer did mot recommend replacement.

_____________
Steve
2002 LS430

 

In 22+ years / 300,000 miles of driving Lexus LS cars, I have personal experience with two timing belt failures. One of my own failed at 75,000 miles when the water pump failed. Somebody else's failed at an unknown mileage when the tensioner failed. The extra parts aren't very expensive.

 

Maybe Louisiana's high humidity helps prolong the life of rubber. In 50 years of driving, I have had ONE belt break, and that was when I was in high school.

 

Yes, do replace although may look OK............be safe and not worry till another 90k miles. Don't forget about cam or crank seals.

 

I'd replace it since you're there taking everything out, might as well replaced them and sleep well at night

 

I see what you guys mean about..killing two birds with one stone..and sleeping well at night.

but like nmikmik said. the parts sometimes look brand new when you take them off. So it leaves you thinking about how you could have prolonged the Mean Time to Failure (MTF) way past the 90K mark.

Im sure toyota recommends this so that you can sleep well at night...but what if we could sleep well at night for longer than we think

 

Think Toyota tough. Have you seen the Top Gear videos on youtube where they try to kill a Toyota truck?

 

I sure do remember the top gear toyota truck..at first i felt bad for the truck...and then i started feeling bad for the people going through the trouble of trying to kill it..

if that doesn't motivate you to buy a toyota..then what will...toyota dealers should be playing this top gear episode on TV's throughout the day for customers to see

 

Killing a Toyota part 1 - Top Gear - BBCWhen we hit 10 million likes, the caravan gets it: www.facebook.com See part 2 here: www.youtube.com Jeremy Clarkson puts Toyota's claim the their ...

by TopGear | 1 year ago | 2,283,209 views
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I just did the normal pump belt etc, 650 bucks, without the tensioners and idlers at 100 k. At 172 k I get a little dry top end sound at start up on 85 plus degree days, not sure if it is the top end not getting oil (though I was told that is not uncommon on this motor/mileage,) .....or the tensioner etc.. Hind sight I would do the tensioners etc even though both Lexus/Yota dealers in my area siad 8 out of 10 they just do the belt no extras besides pump and basics. good luck

 

By the way, is it normal for these engines to turn over a couple of times before starting?

 

Is it purposeful delay just to let the oil get around or just happen to work that way?
Thanks,