I'm approaching 60K miles on '95 ES300.

Owners' manual says to change timing belt at 60K for Schedule A (severe) service. But, Schedule B (non-severe) does not mention timing belt replacement at all.

So, what's the consensus about when to change the belt?

thanks,
bob

 

IMHO, most of the time the timing belt will be good beyond the 60k mark. I've got 71k on my SC and my mechanic told me mine would be good for at least 90k. It really depends on how hard you are on your car and driving conditions. On the SC, it is relatively easy to inspect. All we did was take the timing belt cover off and looked at the belt several times. check for cracks that are perpendicular to the belt - those are no-nos.
If you do need to change your timing belt, you might as well do a bunch of other things as maintenance while you're in there. It will save you money in the long term as doing the timing belt is fairly expensive. I can't recall everything, but I'm sure folks will list them.
good luck,
MDFDSC300

 

I'd change it. It isn't cheap, but all of the Lexus engines are "interference" engines, which means that valves will contact pistons should the belt break. And then you're on the trailer.

As I recall on my previous SC300, replacement was on the 60K schedule regardless of Schedule. Don't recall about the ES though (it's been gone longer).

 

My Lexus Dealer Service Manual shows a scheduled timing belt change at 125,000 miles for the ES300. Mine has 131,000 on it...guess I better get on the ball!

 

Hey Mooretorque

I thought / heard the 4.0 L V8 was a NON-INTERFERENCE
and that when the T-belt snapped , just bring it in and
replace it , no problems.
Can anyone confirm this ?

 

The 4.0 was non-interference until 1995, when the compression ratio was raised. The 3.0 has never been an interference motor.

 

None of the lexus Engines ( or toyota T belt motors ) are interference motors ..

someone just said that to scare you in to doing the belt

i've seen cars go to 200'000 km before they were changed
i've also seen then go to less the 75, 000 km


its a good idea to change the belt @ 96,000 km
because you can check the water pump for leaks & all the idler pulley bearing for noise & free play .

doing all this will get you years & years of trouble free driving

 

how often u drive and how much miles u put in if not alot i wait til 90 thousand miles i got my lexus know at 170 thousand miles i drive alot sometime not but i never had a problem

 

I don't plan on replacing mine until my water pump starts leaking, the t-belt snaps, or I put a new motor in...

90-91 ES250
92-96 ES300
93-96 GS300
90-96 LS400
92-96 SC3/400

All are non-interference engines... I can't find a chart for later models right this second...

 

Are any special tools needed to replace a timing belt (2003 ES300, V6)? My Lexus dealership wants $2240 to complete a 60K mile check and replace the timing belt. Yikes! My car has 85,000 miles on it. I blew off the 60K mile check. Now, it is seriously time to do some preventive maintenance. I have a decent variety of tools. I also have enough repair experience to have a decent shot at successfully completing this maintenance. I replaced the timing chain on a 1978 Chrysler and did a ring job on an old Pontiac. I also routinely do routine maintenance like tune-ups and brake jobs. I plan to get the Chilton's online repair manual (one year subscription). What about adjusting the valves?

 

I had my 97 ES done at 90k...

 

listen...stay away from Lexus dealers...they will steal your money, time after time, you only go to the dealer if your car is under warrantly and is free, those are the only times you go to a dealer...i can tell you a few stories, but they may ban me...it has to do with lexus liying about what your car needs or have wrong....now i have a 30 year exp mechanic here in florida...and i am saving 40% with him ...my RX300 2003 has 170k problem free....
last time i went to the dealer the gave me a list of things to do...well......the list went down to less than half...when my lexus expert saw the car...he used to work for lexus....they will kill you with the bills...example...belts....there was the drive belts...lexus quote was $355...my expert tech $195 with lexus parts...
a supposed gasket leak..lexus $450.....the car doesn't have such leak
Timing belt.....lexus over $1100 my tech $600 including water pump, filter, belts, other belts..and more...radiator, upper heater hose..lexus $450....my tech $285
i am telling you, i was in love with the lexus dealership here in p pines florida, until..............I got the MF..on a few lies.!!!!

 

they were soooo dumb to tell me about the leak..i guess they got so used screewing me that they never imagine me going to a second opinion, specially one of their own guys..(ex techs).....there was never ever oil dropping from no whwre...i checked on the floor for 3 months..no leak!!!!
that's how i got them...then the other quotes....
note: they told me.....you will see oil daily and a smell....but please do not let this go for more than 3 days.......he he he he he ...I got them soooooo good, is not even funny....!!!!
my lawyers are even looking to go after them...also, know this..your car has a crew of tech's, same crew every time, if possible of course....that's how obvious it was, they were triying to screw me for like a total of $3000.00....the lawyers say that the service rep was definetely on it....

 

Can you give me the name of your mechanic? I also live in pembroke pines.

 

Can I also have the name and number of that mechanic?