I have a 95 sc400 and was wondering about a timing belt change.

When the car was new it was driven close to 80k in the first 2 and a half years of ownership. The guy was part of the air force and would drive the car from cali to arizona all the time. HE had the timing belt changed at 85k but that was in like 1996 or 1997 (do not have the records in front of me). The records show how all of the work was done at a lexus dealer but it has been more than 10 years since the last timing belt and water pump maint. The car only has 114k on it now and I was just wondering if the timing belt was more of a MILEAGE maintenance item or time or both.

also, if i do need to change it, how much do timing belt jobs usually cost?

 

Usually about $500+... and this is at a mom's/pop's shop.... Dealer you are looking at at least $1500+.... I think its mileage and/or time. Whichever comes first just like an oil change... Usually for oil changes its like 3months or 3000 miles right?

Maybe just change it for piece of mind.

 

i would think it would be fine, the numbers for changing it are more based on time driving than time sitting. 80k miles or a few years of driving, not sitting.

Pop off the top cover and take a look yourself. If the belt seems dry and cracking in a few places (really small cracks) then it should be time to replace it.

 

$500+?!? dang it! i'm gonna call my mechanic and ask for a quote tomorrow.

 

can i just take the cover off on my sc400? i thought it was easy to do on the 300 but not the 400

 

Forgot the name of the place. My cousin has a GS400. He had it done somewhere at westminister, ca. Very reputable shop as i believe the owner of the shop was a previous professional Toyota/Lexus mechanic... Damn I forgot the name... hhhmmm... I think he paid that much for it tho.

Yes you can. I just hope you get a real good look at it. Its pretty hard to tell when you don't bend the belt the other way to see the cracks.

 

Multiple cracks running perpendicular to the belt line are normal over time. Cracks running parallel to the belt line indicate trouble in your future; time to change.

 

so if i see no cracks, i am good to go?