I had a 55 point inspection on my newly purchased 93 SC400 (97K miles) today at the Toyota dealer. They checked almost everything: spark plugs, timing belt, radiator, and 52 other items. Anyway, everything passed the test, but they said that it looks like my timing belt needs to be replaced. Since I dropped $800 yesterday for new tires, and changed my own tranny fluid, radiator fluid, and diff fluid earlier in the week, I really don't want to replace the timing belt right this moment if it can wait.

Any ideas on when it is supposed to be replaced?

 

From what I have read it is a non-interference engine. So drive it till it breaks.

Can the vets, verify!

 

Dangerous to drive til it breaks...I heard stories from my friend when he broke his timing belt on the highway going uphill!
Lucky he made it on top of the hill in time and he pulled over on the shoulder..

I dont think you want that happening to you!

 

90K miles,... don't drive it till it breaks,... that makes it easy for a non-honest repair place to get over when they gotta diagnose all that's wrong with the car that is now inoperable. A lexus should never be seen broken down,... especially intentional.

 

According to the Lexus Maintenance schedule....timing belt is done every 120K......but if your's is in need of replacement...do it now..or soon. If I am not mistaking...you should also do the waterpump at the same time..as well as your tensioners (pulleys)..if need be.

 

Bentley,

100k miles and 10years is a good time to change the timing belt. Always better to be safe than stuck on the side of the road.

And yes Aliga, it is non-interference. That means that when the belt breaks, no immediate damage will be sustained. When the notorious Honda belt breaks you need to throw the car away .

MW

 

Bentley,

Do a search on SC and LS groups and you will find tons of info. Many have gone...100, 120, 140 and even 150k on the first timing belt. Save up and do everything in there while your at it. Did you ask the Toyota techs why it needs replaced? Did you pull off the timing cover and have a look yourself? It takes 5 minutes to pop that cover off....if you can do all that work yourself...you can have a look at your own timing belt.

 

They just said it looked like it hadn't been replaced for a while. They could just be trying to get an easy $400 out of me, so your suggestion of looking at the T-belt myself is a good one. I didn't realize that it was so easily accessible. Can you give some quick instructions on how it can be done?

Thanks

 

Sure,

Take the front cam gear cover off the driver side engine bank. You only need a 10mm socket....take off a few bolts and the cover comes off. Now, the belt is in plain sight...take a very close look at the ribbed portion of the belt..any cracks? If there are small cracks in the flat portion of the belt that do not run deep into the cords your fine. Just pop that cover off at every oil change and have a peek. My opinion, no way would I change the belt because some tech says it looks like it has not been changed in awhile. No way

 

$400 is a low quote. The R&R is about 5.5 hours. Where I live that means just under $700 labor and a $60 part. If you do the water pump then you add the $300 bucks the dealer will charge. Extras are more. Whatever you do, do not let the shop charge you hours for the belt and hours for the pump. The belt has to be removed to replace the pump. Your best bet is to ask to get the pump replaced and then when they do it supply them with a fresh belt. Some folks are shady.

 

Very good advice guys!