I have a 2004 Lexus LS430 that just hit 60,000 miles on it. I was told that I should go to a Lexus dealer Only and have the timing belt replaced This would include replacing the water pump as well due to the closeness of it. The job would cost me apx. $ 1,500. I was told that If the timing belt did break it would destroy the engine and I would have to get rid of the car. Your input on this matter would be very much appreciated. Thank you.

 

Yes get it replace. Any reputable shop should be able to take the job. Yes, better tp get your timing belt replaced than getting your low mileage engine replaced.

 

Long story short, the valves and the pistons occupy the same space inside the engine when they are fully open/piston is at the top of it's stroke, so the timing belt breaking = valve train stops moving while engine is running = pistons smashing into open valves at very high speed and totally nuking the engine beyond repair.

Usually the interval is around 80-90k miles, or every 8ish years to be safe, since the belt is rubber and degrades with time.

You don't need a Lexus dealer to do the job, as the engine is very similar to the Tundra 4.7 V8, so a local Toyota Dealer or an independent Toyota mechanic can do the job for significantly less, while still using OEM parts.

 

Whoever does the job should also replace the water pump and the various idlers, rollers, tensioner etc., while they are at it, in other words, the complete job just not the belt per se. The standard Aisin kit includes all these parts. The additional cost is insignificant since the labor is basically the same and all the stuff has to come off to access both the belt, and the water pump.

 

OEM or Aisin parts, nothing else. I'd probably also do the radiator, upper and lower hoses with new OEM clamps, and thermostat since you'll be draining the coolant and you're not adding that much extra cost.

 

Thanks to all. Looks like it's going to cost me big bucks no matter how I slice it. Just had my auto Ins. Co. add emergency road service to my policy. Just a couple of days ago I didn't even know what a timing belt was now I drive the car with my fingers crossed until I can scrape up enough money to do all these things Right.

 

It should be fine in the mean time and plenty of them go double the recommended service interval without issue. Mainly, its for the peace of mind to do it every 90k or 10 years...

 

Not to worry. The Lexus timing belt is quite robust... the 90,000 miles recommended replacement is actually 1/2 of what the predicted life expectancy of the belt is. Lexus/Toyota is playing it safe with replacement. You will very rarely if ever hear of a failed timing belt on this forum. There are members who don't even know when their belt was changed and have well over 200,000 or more miles. Yes, It's recommended to replace it at this time (8years) especially with your low mileage car. I'd ask for your old belt back when it is changed, and I'd bet it will probably have very little if any wear. Good luck.

 

I don't know who you are but I like you already !!!

 

It's usually not the belt that fails, it's almost always a bearing failure in one of the pulleys. That's assuming there is not a leak of some sort weakening the belt....

 

Dropped my '03 off at the Lexus dealer this morning to get the timing belt/water pump and related components as well as rear strut/shocks replaced. Mine was changed last at 86k 12 years ago (rear struts were still original but starting to feel floaty with a full load as well as recently started hearing a clunk in the rear over speed bumps). I now have 163k on it and 12 years of time on the timing belt so I figured it was probably time just for peace of mind. No issues of any kind, but it's one of those things that nags at your mind when you decide to go for a long drive and you hope nothing goes wrong.

 

My 2005 LS430 had its first timing belt/WP replacement done today, along with radiator hoses, thermostat, idlers, tensioners etc (it was a Gates kit). The car has 74,100 miles on it currently and the parts pulled off are pictured below.



Coolant was starting to leak, finally after 17 years

 

I wouldn't use gates on these cars....use OE or Aisin only

 

I found out 12 years ago that my timing belt was changed with a Gates timing belt prior to my purchase at 98,000 miles. 159,000 miles today and 12 years later with my Gates belt and original water pump. Knock on wood!!!

 

I tried to find information online of any instance of the Gates kit failing, wholly or partially, and came up with nothing. If there is data to support that Gates’ supplied pumps and belts are prone to failure, please share with me (or the forum) for future reference. Thanks!

note: I would’ve preferred OE parts but my trusted mechanic wouldn’t warranty the work unless he supplied the parts. Toyota said the same thing, but their kit was some hodgepodge from O’reillys. The service manager at my local Toyota house said if I provided the OE parts, he would install them but again, wouldn’t warranty the work. In the end I chose the indie because he was offering a known brand (gates) and it came with a warranty.