I have a 2003 LS-430 with 195,000 and I plan to keep it for several years. I had the original timing belt replaced at 90,000 miles. I expect I'm due to have it replaced again with 100,000 miles on it. The Lexus dealer (here in Columbus, Ohio) is estimating $2,000 for timing belt replacement, drive belt, idler pulleys, tensioner and possibly water pump. They mentioned they could take $150 off the service. Seems to be way too much and I want to get feedback on what other dealers have charged. I have a shop that has done most of my other work, but not sure my confidence in something as critical / complex as this. Thoughts on how to get this done at a reasonable price. Thank you.

 

That's way too much. Use your regular shop or find an independent Toyota/Lexus shop. It's not really that complicated of a job. With your mileage make sure you do the water pump, tensioner, and idler pulleys and have them check the cam seals.

 

There has to be at least a few Toyota dealers in the Columbus area. Call around and shop quotes from all of them. Agree with 911LE at that mileage throw the kitchen sink at it...

 

Just had an RX330 timing belt with pulley, tensioners, water pump and serpentine belt done for $960. Having the same for 2004 LS430 done in two weeks for $990. I would recommend to call around to get a quote. If they will not give you a quote over the phone you don't want them doing it anyway.

 

For comparison, the original owner of my 2002 had an OEM timing belt with components, front brakes, and a new radiator installed shortly before I bought it from him, and with Labor it was about $1400 at the end of 2019 according to the service receipts he provided me with. A reputable independent shop will be able to undercut them significantly.

 

Make sure you get OEM or Aisin (OEM supplier) parts. Don't settle for anything less.

 

You want me to do it for you? I'm local.....

 

If you do the work and the OP chooses to replace cam seals please do a tutorial.

 

Can't emphasize this enough. I learned this with my wife's RX. 20k after a timing belt/water pump service, noise was starting to come from that area. I was told the previous mechanic did not use the Japanese products. He redid everything and it's been purring since.

 

I have a local, trusted mechanic with whom I did my second timing belt around 190k miles. It cost me around $700 if I remember correctly. This one shop is flexible about using parts that I buy and provide them withs, so I bought the kit off amazon or ebay, and got it delivered to the auto shop.

I have never heard of a timing belt change horror story, and even if there were such failures and I estimate it's a 20% chance of failure, when it's $700 vs $2000, and I value money $600-1300, I would take the risk and got with the cheaper option. Even if you have to get it done a second time to fix a possible screw-up, and have to buy all parts again (which is unlikely), it would still save you hundreds. If you don't value $1300, you should go with the dealer.

 

about 4 months ago the local Toyota dealer near New Bern NC quoted me ~$1000 for a timing belt job. But I ended up doing it myself with help from these forums. Took 2 days and about maybe 10 hours of work of me being extra careful.

 

That’s way too expensive. I can’t recall exact amount I had to pay my local Japanese auto shop, but I think it took me less than a thousand dollars in labor costs plus X amount in OEM parts (non Aisin or other aftermarket), including camshaft and crankshaft seals.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...0-04-06-a.html

 

Cost me about $1,150 with Aisin kit from a highly rated garage in town earlier this year.

 

Fiffa - what shop if you don't mind telling?

 

Ger-Brock in Portland. Super nice bunch of guys! They also re-sealed the transmission and changed the filter.