My LS is at 85K, so I'm getting close to the 90k mark, which I've been reading is an important time to replace the water pump and timing belt.

1) I'm hoping you guys can give me a rough estimate of cost. What did you pay for your 90k service? I want to go into this armed with knowledge so I don't get ripped off.
2) Is it recommended I take her to a Lexus dealer for this service? Or should I stick with the local shop (great place I used to take my Scion for oil changes, etc. Well-reviewed and trustworthy)?

Thanks!

 

I bought my car with 81k, so here's my experience....

The timing belt/water pump was $1,400 at the dealer, pretty sure at 90k does not include idlers etc. The indie was around $850, using the Aisin kit, idlers included.

Just me, I truly believe the indie does a better job. I'm a real person with a real face who owns this car, this really isn't the case imho at car dealerships.

The other things I had done were 3 drain/fills of the tranny, they charged me for 2 plus 2 qts of WS, and they got $84? for a drain/fill. They did #2 and #3 on the same visit, since the tech dropped the car and drove around listening for a clunk (which he believes is the lack of shims on my front calipers), he lifted it after the drive to do #3. btw he showed me the fluid on drain #2, it was still very dark...

I also had the LCA bushings pressed out and in, this was almost $300, yes a little steep

I had the brake fluid flushed, dealer charged me $59 (this is much lower than what they told me over the phone?)

DId the rear differential, provided the Mobil 1, can't remember what the charge was, the car was already on the lift so not that much

They did the power steering fluid for around $60 (I prolly shoulda just used the baster method I was unsure about air/bleeding)

Not sure what the 90k service entails, but I wasn't planning on doing anything more to my car....good luck.

 

Last week I paid $1,030 for OE Aisin timing belt, water pump, tensioner and whatever other items are in the kit. 01 LS 430 with 131k. Original owner did not do the 90k service. Original belt was in bad condition. I lucked out.

This was done at my local smaller independent auto service center. The name is "Mike's Service Center". I stopped in and checked to see if they have done my specific car and other Lexus timing belts. They said they had done many.

A Gates kit would have been $100 cheaper. I opted to pay more for the OE parts based on advice from the board here.

 

Mine had 92K and I went in yesterday to Lexus for the 90k service. They charged only 300.00 and on the Invoice it reads 30k service Interval. I asked why not doing the time belt and water pump like suggested, they said it did not need it.. He said my 30k services was never done as well. So the Intervals are 30/60/90k then it restarts. So I have no Idea. Should I demand this to be done anyhow or just take the advise that it did not need to be done..

 

It should be based on time or mileage. 9 years or 90,000. When I saw the condition of my original belt with 131k (cracked in many places) I was happy I did it and a bit sour that the original owner who serviced at a Lexus dealer didn't get it done.

I guess some just say "next owner" can do that. I would do the belt and water pump.

 

Thanks guys, this is helpful!

 

Have you gotten the service history from the Lexus website? You have to register, and once you do, you can pull up the service history by vin number. That way you will know for sure what has been done, and what hasn't.

 

ah nice! I’ll check that out

 

I'm doing mine on Friday at a local independent Lexus service facility. The price is $1275 for all Lexus parts and they are so confident that they offer a 2 year warranty for parts and labor.

Could probably get it done for less at my regular mechanic or get it done for more at the dealer...

 

I have seen online where some dealers show the timing belt job at 90k and others do not. The ones who actually show the price online, never have the timing belt (I'm sure $1,400-$1,800 would be a turn off). But what did you get for $300...imho it doesn't make sense to simply say 90 is a multiple of 30 imho. Long long ago on my Nissan I was in the same situation and the dealer .refunded the amount of the service. My car required plugs every 60) (1998(, and their 60k service did not include it. My anreasoning was if the service didn't do what's required per the manual, now I have to still have the service performed, and I'm out what the first dealer charged. my .02

 

Sounds like it's a good thing you had the TB done. Have often wondered if super cold weather would be harder on timing belt and other rubber parts. I've heard stories about Northern CA owners doing the change at 100+ and finding perfect belts. When I sold my 01, this lady came to look. Told her that the TB has been changed. She asked what that meant. Said she's never changed it in her LS400 which now has 180k.

 

When I bought my 2006 LS430 with 98k miles, it had an autocheck report, but no service records. I assumed I was gonna have to do the timing belt to be safe. Once I got it, I registered on the Lexus website, and was able to get the service history. And lo and behold, the timing belt had been done! I was so glad.

Maybe the dealer found out that yours had been done already, and told you only that it didn't need it. So, get the service history asap!