LS 430 Timing Belt replacement
Pole Position
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,146
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From: Illinois
Oh, nice. I'm in the western burbs of Chicago.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 44
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From: Illinois
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,199
Likes: 215
From: Ontario, Canada
To DIY, see http://www.shastaanesthesia.com/Lexus/Page1.html for the writeup and as mentioned above, watch the video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCTGHurWA1c
AISIN Part # TKT021 comes with the Hydraulic Tensioner
AISIN Part # TKT001 does not come with the Hydraulic Tensioner
I've read in several places both kits contain the exact same parts as OEM, the only difference is in the packaging.
AISIN Part # TKT021 comes with the Hydraulic Tensioner
AISIN Part # TKT001 does not come with the Hydraulic Tensioner
I've read in several places both kits contain the exact same parts as OEM, the only difference is in the packaging.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 1
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From: Ohio
Alas, another great timing belt debate. The challenge with taking advice from anyone (including myself) on this forum is that you're asking advice from the people who have the LEAST direct experience with a timing belt failure. Go find the people who have actually had a timing belt fail on a LS430 and ask his/her opinion. Wait a second...you can't find a single one??? That's because they probably don't exist because timing belts just don't really fail very often, no matter how old or how many miles they have.
If you ask around, what you will find out is a lot more members (especially relative to how many have had a timing belt failure) who have gone way past the recommended 90K miles and have yet to see a single failure.
True, the LS430 has an interference engine, but it also has hydraulic tensioners, which in simple terms, keeps the timing belt properly tensioned thus greatly reducing the probability of failure. I think you should have no issue waiting until at least 90K to change your timing belt. I'm personally going on 98K on a '04 and don't lose any sleep over it. Maybe I'll think about it at 120K.
If you ask around, what you will find out is a lot more members (especially relative to how many have had a timing belt failure) who have gone way past the recommended 90K miles and have yet to see a single failure.
True, the LS430 has an interference engine, but it also has hydraulic tensioners, which in simple terms, keeps the timing belt properly tensioned thus greatly reducing the probability of failure. I think you should have no issue waiting until at least 90K to change your timing belt. I'm personally going on 98K on a '04 and don't lose any sleep over it. Maybe I'll think about it at 120K.
I agree 100%. Mine is a 2006 ls430 and i have 135km on it. I checked the belt a month ago and looks brand new. I might change it at 150,000. Plus the engine for ls430 is so cheap (since they never fail). Yo can buy a good used one for less than a 1000.00 . I take the chance.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 4
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From: CT
Haven't paid much attention to transmission. Now at 424,000
Haven't paid much attention to transmission. Car now AF 424,000 miles
Your are a brave man TFB. That's awesome that you are at nearly 400,000 miles. The 400 and the 430 are in my opinion the most reliable cars ever made. I assume you do tons of highway miles, which is easier on the engine. How about the transmission? Have you been servicing it with new fluid?
Lead Lap
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 4,525
Likes: 98
From: ca
Wow, interesting read here.
I have seen a 144 K timing belt failure on a 90 LS400 some years ago. I have seen lots of timing belt failures on the little 4 cylinder Toyotas, and older VW inline 4's, Subaru's too. Some of the failures were from a rotten belt and other causes like oil soaked as well as bearing seizure on guide / idler pulleys or pumps. So all this stuff about don't worry about it, could be an expensive mistake, that makes what ever a dealer or shop charges look cheap.
I have seen a 144 K timing belt failure on a 90 LS400 some years ago. I have seen lots of timing belt failures on the little 4 cylinder Toyotas, and older VW inline 4's, Subaru's too. Some of the failures were from a rotten belt and other causes like oil soaked as well as bearing seizure on guide / idler pulleys or pumps. So all this stuff about don't worry about it, could be an expensive mistake, that makes what ever a dealer or shop charges look cheap.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 1
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From: CA
Original timing belt
I recently purchased a used 05 RX 330 With 172,000 miles on it and I’m the 3rd owner. The car has over 20 car fax services reported but there was no mention of TB. So I took it to my mechanic and he said that I lucked out with a great car, other than some cosmetic stuff the car is great. But he said upon inspection couldn’t find a TB sticker and he highly recommended changing it. I didn’t hesitate and told him to do it. After it was over with he kept the belt to show me what it looked like. While i can say without a doubt you can go past 90k ok the belts. This RX was the original timing belt at 15 year and 172,000 miles. It was visibly warped and cracked however. I personally would of changed it at 90 cause that’s the person I am but I’m happy to know that if you can’t do it right at 90k you won’t break down or mess your car up if you wait a bit longer. They’re all amazing cars and I don’t know why anyone would drive anything else ha ha I’m heading to the dealer today to look at an 04 LS that has 56k and one owner. And I’m STOKED
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 17,180
Likes: 529
From: Knoxville, TN
I changed at 102k and asked for old belt, thing looked almost brand new. I'm definitely waiting longer for next change.
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 716
Likes: 168
From: FL
That’s the RED alert/flag for your car, change it ASAP to prevent engine damage. Have you done any other maintenance so far? How often do you change engine oil?
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