AK470911

So my mechanic at the dealer says the timing belt should be changed every 60K as a preventative service or he says "when you see cracks develop." What if cracks develop on the belt before 60K are up? What's the best way to tell or method to go by?

RobRed

I think the established interval of 90k is preventative. Many go well beyond 90k. Does you mechanic like to make stuff up? Sure if the belt is cracked or damaged you would want to replace it before that.

AK470911

Hahah, rofl, that's the thing, I don't know if he is. Manuals say one thing, forum, and mechanic sometimes recommend different. But I do see small cracks along the grooves in the loop.

Now, is this one where I can go and get a Landcruiser belt instead of a pricey LX markup?

RobRed

Are you talking about the serpentine belt on the outside of the motor? That's an inspect and replace if needed item.

Yes you can use the toyota part.

AK470911

Yes, the rubberized belt on the outside that drives the fan among other things I'm told.

Omg, i always thought that was the timing belt. Where are the others located, I think my G35 had 2 when I replaced the belt(s). The LX, I see 1 large outside.

AK470911

Went to Toyota, drive belt $62, timing $68. Oil filter $6. At Lexus, drive belt $81, timing $97, oil filter $9. WTF? Oh well. Thanks Rob for good info but the rotors for some reason are still $164 each at Toyota.

RobRed

Online from Toyota Parts Zone the rotor is $81 ea

V8_Fan

I think he's thinking of the serp belt. I would agree with the serp belt. In AZ, the dry air and heat only makes them last 45K mi. If the belt has cracks and it's an OEM belt, it's okay. Replace when you start to see small blocks of rubber fall off (this is according to the FSM). As for the timing belt, you'd have to disassemble the front half of the engine just to inspect it. After doing all that work, you may as well replace it. According to the techs at my lexus dealer in AZ, the V8 t-belts are quite durable; they recommend replacing at 105K mi rather than 90K (I had mine done at 90K anyways), but the V6's are harsh on their t-belts and they recommend replacing at 75K. This is from their observations of vehicles driven in AZ.

AK470911

Serpentine belt and timing was replaced at 92K. Now it's 155K. Should I wait til 180K to do timing belt? I can see that the serpentine belt is cracked although the rubber is still good shape, no blocks falling off. The timing belt is behind a cover, I can't even see what's going on with it. What are the signs the timing is going off?

RobRed

Chunk, chunk, thud thud. Engine stops. Check book comes out. Replace motor.

V8_Fan

When I had my t-belt replaced at 90K mi, it looked new. But looks don't tell you anything about internal degradation. If you t-belt is OEM, I would go to 180K unless your water pump starts leaking (did you change that at 92K?). The water pump is behind the t-belt. The 90K mi toyota spec is an international spec for changing the belt. I've heard of something running his to 198K (original belt). The mechanic who replaced it said it could have snapped at any moment. Your OEM belt should easily last 100K mi for the 2UZ engine in the LX/LC. 90K is a conservative spec and covers 100's that are strictly driven offroad in insanely hot places in Africa and the Middle East (like 130F). No 100 in the US is going to go through the punishment they put them through overseas. If you replace your t-belt after only 63K mi, you're wasting your $$. That's like repacking the front hubs every 30K mi when the rig has never seen dirt or water. Again, an international service interval.

RobRed

90 k intervals are proper for the timing belt - so 180k is correct.

The serp belt is an easy replace, costs about 35 for the part, and I would replace it anytime I felt it wasn't 100%.

AK470911

My LX has been through some snow trips but nothing on the level of the Dakar. Would you and RobRed recommend replacing the idler and crank pulleys too when I replace the belts? I hear they also have bearings, what's the chance they are close to break down at 155K? That way I can make sure the major moving parts on taken care of on the next visit. Thanks both you and Rob.