Hagar

So I've reached the 180,000 mile stone.
This 04 Lexus UL has been well taken care of and I don't want to stop now.
My indie is recommending changing the cam shaft seal which I guess is sometimes not doen due to crazy cost. with the seal also comes;
- new valve cover gaskets
- new plug boots
- thermostat
- gromets ?
and of cousrse the timing belt kit to include ;
- 2 new cam seals
- 1 crankshaft seal
- timing belt
- tensioner
- belt pulley and one or two more items.

NOW the question is, amazon has a kit for $97 (?) and rock auto has a kit based on economy, standard and premium. $119 to $219. Premiumkits are Dayco, continenal and contitech.

Which kit?
and of course, Lexus wants over $349 for theirs.
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caddylover

funny as i am in the same boat at 190,000 miles. My indie says to NOT do the cam seals unless they are leaking. Making an appointment for end of the month for him to do the T/B

LS430inDE.

Why would someone even consider going the "least expensive" aka cheap option for such a repair? Unless you're selling the car tomorrow and want to have on paper, that all this repair/preventive maintenance work has already be done, shouldn't you get the OEM or as close to OEM as possible? Especially if you're not doing the work yourself, I would not go the cheap route with such a mechanical repair. It's not like we are talking about $750 versus $2,500. We are talking $350 for genuine Toy/Lex parts. The reason you're at this mileage in the first place is because the original parts were Toy/Lex. I would unquestionably go with Toy/Lex parts if I were in your situation. That's just my opinion as I would be taking my LS to a more capable mechanic for this procedure as well. Would not want to perform the repair 2x. Heck, I'm not far behind you as I have about 165k on the odometer.

pmesfun

This is the kit you need.

aypues

My indie recommended the same. I just had the 180k done with them and they inspected the cam seals and they were not that bad yet they said; they had seen much worse. They pretty much said it was optional given the condition, and I could wait until the next timing belt to do them (or the next owner more than likely). If they are fully leaking then yes, go ahead and do the repair. I think they quoted me another $600 to do those.

bradland

The cam seals are engineered and manufactured with a much longer service life than most components and for good reason.
If they are not currently leaking I wouldn't open Pandoras Box...

caddylover

that's the kit i purchased as well. My wife's Sequoia has the Gates timing //p kit in it. I figured i'd go Aisin on the LS. Also picked up new serp belt as well since they're in there.

Johnhav430

My indie put that in too. He said sure we can do OE if you want but why? And they did 8 that year already. I've always respected the fact that indies are not looking to make us spend more, like dealers are. And indies don't get their stuff on amazon (if they do run)--they gave me the boxes so I saw where it came from (a distributor).

CharlieLS

Just ordered "Kit" from AZ dealer. $418 delivered with thermostat included. 2003 with 191k on original belt. Just did the plugs last night.....191k on original plugs. Intake was extremely dirty! Broke off a piece of the plastic trying to get a vacuum hose off......again, never removed in almost 16 years. Glued it back on last night. Having the timing belt done next week at an indie shop. Had a 2001 base and now, new to me, a 2003 with a few more options. ML stereo, heated seats, Nav, active cruise control (not sure what it was called in 2003). Ordered the speaker repair kit from Florida yesterday. I have done rotors, pads with sensors, plugs, wipers, cleaned intake. Still need to look at the exhaust. Oil & filter change. 4.8 qts but with a little research here, it takes 5.4 qts ?! Love this car. Using OEM parts so it will last another 191K..... at least thats my plan.

Bocatrip

My opinion for OEM has been stated above. The reason our cars have lasted so long and have great reliability is partially due to their robust OEM parts. Unless planning on selling in the near future why jeopardize the good run? Besides, with such extensive and fairly costly repairs, why chince on the parts when you are laying out so much for labor? I’ve only used used OEM for my 10 years of ownership and wouldn’t think otherwise for as long as I’m still driving my car. But I’m a fanatic with every car I’ve owned.

LS430inDE.

Good eye! We've identified the oil fill capacity is NOT identical across the 2001-2006 years. I'd pour in what YOUR owner's manual states is the capacity!

lorenr

iTrader: (1)

These timing belts are interesting. I did my 2003 at 92,000 miles and used the complete Aisin kit and replaced all the parts included in that kit. I also replaced the thermostat. The reason I used this kit is because everyone here said to use it and it really is pretty complete.

The surprise came when I compared the new belt with the OEM belt. They are different, the new belt seemed like a better design. Anyway, I'd bet there is a common manufacturer for these belts. Other parts in the kit were same as OEM.

I wouldn't and didn't replace the cam or crank seals. They were not leaking.

The belt I took out was still in fair condition, but glad I did the job instead of waiting. I have a neighbor with a 2001 SUV with the 4.7 motor. He has 190,000 miles on it with the original belt. He didn't even know to replace it. I think he is on borrowed time.

Loren

daffy1029

I have the 1991 LS400, which is much like the LS430 engine in many ways. I once bought cam seals and was going to change them, after the second timing belt change. Well, at 370,000 miles, they were still not leaking. If they are not leaking, I would not change them. You have to remember that, the camshaft turns a lot slower than the crankshaft, so it would make sense that the cam seals would last longer. I suppose it also depends on what oil you use. Maybe some oils are better for seals than other oils. I have always use 100% synthetic oils in my car, maybe that was the difference? By the way, I am driving a 1991 Lexus LS400 still today (that's a 30 year old car!). Powertrain is all original.