texan_176

iTrader: (5)

Chains will not break at 100K but they will not be at the same tension as new from the wear and the tensioner/guides wearing as well. If you think it's all good at 100K with a chain then you are wrong.

Johnhav430

So far so good, I did top off the coolant. Interesting, when it was hot, it was in the middle of the reservoir, when it was cold, couldn't see anything in the reservoir, yet, upon opening the radiator cap, it was full. I just brought it up to the full line with 50/50 pink, just a tad over, when cold, and it's been there ever since.

About the timing chains, my Maxima with a VQ30DE is at 244k, never had any service done to the chains, nor has it ever had the water pump replaced. Dunno where it's supposed to have trouble at 100k, I've always thought it was designed to last the life of the car. The debate was if doing a water pump, should the tensioners be touched. Some have experienced problems after doing so. Many say leave it alone, even though you're in there.

toddmorr

sure they're worn at 100k, so what. Half the car is worn at 100k and it has no material impact on performance. That's why Toyota doesn't recommend replacement of a timing chain/tensionsers/guides at 100k. No point in it.

2KHarrier

It does make it easier to have a car like this, being able to DIY, as it were. Certainly helps that I'm a mechanic by trade. When I look at giving someone 800 - 1000 dollars to do what I can do, I'm more than comfortable with opening up the engine covers and changing the TB. However, oil changes are too easy to pawn off on the dealership. They clean the car afterwards, I don't have to dispose of old oil and the waiting area is very nice.

tallcaguy

On a Mercedes 380SL, it's a double timing chain. Pretty safe to say that's bulletproof. The engine is literally impossible to hear when idling. No noise (timing chain or anything else), no vibration, nothing. Since then, my LS is the first car I've owned that has a comparable engine. Also MUCH more comfortable, more reliable and parts are cheaper.

Johnhav430

Gotcha, I really want to do this job. With this pricing structure, I'm at $200! "$130/hr. labor. $160/hr. if you watch. $200/hr. if you help."

I can do the ABS pump on a 2006-2011 BMW 3 Series until the cows come home, with two manual bleeds and one computer bleed, and that's a $4,200 job at the dealer. You bet there was no possibility of not DIY....I don't see myself pulling off the 3UZ timing belt on a Saturday....maybe I would plan on taking 2 full weekends and being super careful on not losing anything...someday....I would definitely get into the shocks/struts if I still had access to a lift, did it on my Maxima. Anyhow my interest is as a hobbyist, which would make it enjoyable. If the Snap On police went down to my basement, they'd be saying hold on, what are you doing with all these tools, some of them look like they've never even been used?

2KHarrier

Well, OK, you're a tool collector. That's fine. We all need a hobby!

toddmorr

think I'm going to tackle mine...probably two weekends, maybe more. Slow and careful with proper research beforehand. Have done lots of other work on cars but this will be a first.

Johnhav430

The Snap On tools are all eBay...once in a while the other bidders must fall asleep. Got a brand new, never used, 2016 S80A 80 tooth 1/2" ratchet for $63 shipped? That is nuts. Really. I think students get them for 60% off and pawn them....

Sometimes my wife claims she's the only person who could understand me. I thought I lost one of my Channellocks, maybe a relative borrowed it or it got left at their house. When I couldn't find it, I went on a Channellock shopping spree, I found this place that has great prices on them, and proceeded to buy all kinds!! Every purpose, every size. The best thing is the 6-1 screwdrivers, they are awesome quality and USA made, can't beat this $7 price. About 2 mos later I found the one that was missing (it was a GL12 Griplock)!

http://www.circlecsupply.com/channel...rewdriver.html

tallcaguy

Channellock sounds like some kind of expensive perfume. This is what you're worried about? Expensive perfume and an obsession w/ the right sun glasses? Sounds more like Malibu (CA not a Chevy). CL may have to cancel your LS Owners Privileges and block future visits here until you shape up (or change the TB yourself).

2KHarrier

With as many screws as I take out in a given day, screwdrivers that don't ratchet just don't cut it. I prefer this, which has been in my kit for 25 years.

https://store.snapon.com/Standard-Handle-Screwdriver-Ratcheting-Magnetic-Standard-Orange-8-3-4--P634146.aspx

A little pricey, but it's served me well.

Ok, back to Timing Belt discussions...

Johnhav430

Well I did polish up the blue Aisin timing belt sticker so that it looks impressive when anyone opens up the hood (it was already dusty from the shop, so disgusting I had to triple wash my beautiful hands), hopefully that counts for something....the blue they used would not have been my first choice, maybe a nice pearl red....

edit haha this reminds me of how we're supposed to place our registration stickers in the upper left hand corner of the plate. apparently, there are more than one upper left hand corners, as some people cover the plate with them over the years. My sticker was placed by the tech so carefully into a square on the engine covering, pass side, that I thought that's actually where it belonged. from the web I see people stick them anywhere....I wonder if anyone ever stuck a sticker on a car without changing the belt, nah, that wouldn't be honest

02Legend

iTrader: (3)

Got a call from my buddies shop and I will be picking up my car tomorrow. He had a certified Toyota tech come out that is very familiar with the 3UZ. From what I was told the Toyota tech timed it and had no issues and no more check engine light saying "timing advanced" on both cam position sensors. My buddy also mentioned that he is not going to touch timing belts on my car or Lexus again, lol.

Johnhav430

good deal...glad to hear it worked out. Thinking about this, I wonder if they did the step where you line everything up at TDC, then advance it I think clockwise to neutral, before removing the belt or putting it back on? I can't technically explain what that does, only remember reading it. On my old belt, the tech did not mark it up like the YouTube, where the guy transferred the marks from old, to new.

I can see how your buddy may be gunshy going forward lol. Yesterday, I discovered a review on Yelp that slammed my BMW indie. The poster had a car like mine, and claimed that he paid for no less than two clutch replacements in a month, both burned out, and he was told to go and f*** himself???? There is this super specialist who gets slammed with 1star reviews claiming they are arrogant and overcharge, but to see that about mine is disappointing....my buddy said that shop ought to respond or it looks bad....dag I was gonna have them do the walnut blast they only want $349 to a dealer's $700.....

Again glad your car is good to go!

2KHarrier

I can imagine these belts can be a little overwhelming, if you haven't done one before.