I'm a rookie here & I need some help. I have an 04 Lexus LS430 with 68,000 miles on it. Recommend maintenance suggests I do the timing belt at 90,000 miles. I'm wondering if I should do it early because it's 16 years old? Also I have another strange sound coming from my engine. It's like a winding noise that only happens when the car is cold. After the car warms up it goes away and runs perfectly fine. I changed the serpentine belt thinking it could be that and it did not fix the problem.

 

The timing belt in a 3UZ is not a glass slipper. It would likely get you to 90k with no issue but age can be a factor...
‘Consider changing it in the next few months but it’s not an emergency.

The winding noise is probably low power steering fluid. The LS ps system uses Dexron ATF not conventional ps fluid.

 

Thank you for the quick response! I just check the power steering fluid and it is at max. Do you think I should change it and make sure it's the Dexron ATF?

 

When the car is cold raise the hood and start it. While in park move the steering wheel right to left. If the issue is PS related you’ll be able to hear it more clearly.
Also, the PS reservoir can often become stained on the inside making a visual inspection of the fluid level inaccurate. Remove the cap and look inside to verify...

 

Power Steering or Alternator.

 

So I double check the power steering fluid and it is at max. I also put the hood up and move the steering wheel from side to side and everything sounds good. The power steering fluid is golden brown so it's probably time for a change. Maybe I did a poor job when I said winding sound. The sound is rather hard to explain and it goes away within a few minutes.

 

Yes, it should be bright Red.
Re the noise- Bearing? The serpentine idler is usually the first to fail as it spins much faster than the other accessories. Tensioner pulley is usually next in line...

 

One procedure to determine if serpentine belt driven accessories or pulleys are cause of "winding"(?) noise is to remove the serpentine belt before next cold start.

If noise abates, then check related accessories: Alternator, P.S. pump, A.C. compressor clutch bearing, and pulleys: bracket pulley, idler pulley and tensioner pulley...

If noise persists, then possibly timing belt components; idler pulley bearing, tensioner pulley bearing or waterpump bearing or th timing belt(!) are tired. After all, 16-17 year old bearing lubricants and rubber.

You're well past the shelf life on the timing belt, so proactive service may solve two issues.

Any noise from VVTi units?

In the further alternative, your transmission does not like its 16 year old transmission fluid.

Acquire a mechanic's stethoscope or have a technician survey your engine for noise.

Please post your findings.

 

this.

Im thinking you have a bad idler. Might be a bad timing belt idler. Best plan is to do the maintenance. Then you know where you are.

 

I got my 06 in 2017 with 77k on it. I went ahead and did the timing belt/components for peace of mind. The shop saved the old belt and it was in great shape, to the extent that I could have gotten more life out of it. Honestly though, for what it costs, I'd still do it again...


Look closely and you can still see the TOYOTA markings on the belt...

 

If you want to check the condition, it can also pull one of the timing gear covers off of the front and see what condition the belt is in.

 

That belt is worn out and in poor shape.

 

Thanks for the info. I'm doing the timing belt this Friday. I will let you know what I find out.

 

Thank you sir. I'm having the timing belt done this Friday.

 

If not Toyota or Lexus dealer, does your technician advise what parts are used?

See:
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...eficiency.html