Timing Belt and Water Pump replacement
12-03-12, 06:33 AM
#1
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Timing Belt and Water Pump replacement
Edited
How long has your timing belt/pump lasted on your RX300?
Service manual suggests replacement at 90k.
How long has your timing belt/pump lasted on your RX300?
Service manual suggests replacement at 90k.
Last edited by cbones1979; 12-03-12 at 07:47 AM.
12-03-12, 08:08 AM
#2
Moderator
the question assumes that who ever answers has waited for failure to happen.
Lexus has already published the milage/time where they recommend replacement of timing belt (note Lexus has not published recommended milage to replace the waterpump). I am of the opinion that Lexus' recommendation is based on some scientific analysis and for sure they have adjusted their number based on the service intervals (multiples of 30k miles).
If you are interested in what members have done, please use the search function. Also think how long you will own the vehicle and by increasing the interval (say from 90k miles to 110k miles), would you be saving/eliminating one service.
Salim
Lexus has already published the milage/time where they recommend replacement of timing belt (note Lexus has not published recommended milage to replace the waterpump). I am of the opinion that Lexus' recommendation is based on some scientific analysis and for sure they have adjusted their number based on the service intervals (multiples of 30k miles).
If you are interested in what members have done, please use the search function. Also think how long you will own the vehicle and by increasing the interval (say from 90k miles to 110k miles), would you be saving/eliminating one service.
Salim
12-03-12, 10:21 AM
#3
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so your's lasted 90k? I was only wondering because I am nearing 90 and was wondering the difference of changing it out tomorrow or say, 2 weeks 
I've used the search and nothing but alot of differing recomendations could be found. With alot of "im no pro, but here is whay i do" type posts.
Lexus techs have told me Belt at 90, pump only if leaking with it. They recommended pump change at 2nd timing belt replacement. Also, this post was before we nailed down the interference or non-interference question.
I've used the search and nothing but alot of differing recomendations could be found. With alot of "im no pro, but here is whay i do" type posts.
Lexus techs have told me Belt at 90, pump only if leaking with it. They recommended pump change at 2nd timing belt replacement. Also, this post was before we nailed down the interference or non-interference question.
12-03-12, 11:10 AM
#4
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Lexus techs have told me Belt at 90, pump only if leaking with it. They recommended pump change at 2nd timing belt replacement.
Since they had access to the belt, even though it had been changed, they recommended changing it again (just a few dollars for the part). So I did.
I'm approaching 180k, and am planning on holding off until 210k for the next timing belt/water pump change. And yes, I will be changing both, regardless of it water pump is leaking.
On a quick side-note - I'm also planning on holding off on changing the plugs until 210k. Is there any advantage (labor-wise) to have the plugs done at the same time as the timing belt?
12-03-12, 11:35 AM
#5
Moderator
My TB and noisy ideler were replaced at 91k. Still on my orig waterpump near 180k. There are all sort of stories on the net.
At the end one has to live with the choices one makes.
Salim
At the end one has to live with the choices one makes.
Salim
12-03-12, 06:45 PM
#6
My dilemma is that my '99 has only 65k miles on it. I've decided not to replace it until I get closer to 90k. The consensus around here and other boards is that the belt is pretty resilient.
12-04-12, 12:14 AM
#7
Near bullet proof is more like it. Todays timing belts are a totally different animal than when they were recommending replacement at 60K mi. Made of different materials and a totally different process in manufacturing also. They look better at 90K than the old ones did at 9K!
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12-04-12, 05:27 AM
#8
Near bullet proof is more like it. Todays timing belts are a totally different animal than when they were recommending replacement at 60K mi. Made of different materials and a totally different process in manufacturing also. They look better at 90K than the old ones did at 9K!
12-04-12, 05:33 AM
#9
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Best price i've found on Kits are 211 for AISIN and 244 for Continental
Only difference between the two is a hydraulic tensioner.
AISIN looks like OEM parts. Guy i have doing the work suggested continental.
Any objections to either?
Only difference between the two is a hydraulic tensioner.
AISIN looks like OEM parts. Guy i have doing the work suggested continental.
Any objections to either?
12-05-12, 12:09 AM
#11
X2 Stick with Aisin. You would be wise to use only OEM parts on your Lexus, especially when you can buy most of them on the internet for prices as cheap or cheaper than aftermarket. They are some of the highest quality I've ever seen.
12-30-13, 08:34 PM
#13
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Purchase Timing Belt kit
Best place I've found for buying Timing Belt Replacement Kits is: www.rockauto.com. Prices range from $ 115 to $150 for the kit including the waterpump. Read the contents of the kits carefully to make sure you get the waterpump, hydraulic belt tensioner and idlers.
12-30-13, 10:14 PM
#14
First off, I do not recommend what I am about to say.
I just bought a 1999 AWD as a winter throw-away vehicle. It had 258k on it when I bought it. It has been serviced at Lexus it's entire life.. However. The previous owner declined the timing belt service at 90k and then never had it done later. So it went 258k on the original timing belt.
I had it replaced along with the spark plugs, water pump,and drive belt within a week of buying the car, and the tech said he had never seen a timing belt so shiny, and cracked.
In short, I dodged a major bulit, sure you timing belt may last 200+K.....but it's a silly thing to loose an engine over.
If you are getting close to 90k. Try to make plans to get it changed on your next oil service.
12-31-13, 04:17 AM
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First off, I do not recommend what I am about to say.
I just bought a 1999 AWD as a winter throw-away vehicle. It had 258k on it when I bought it. It has been serviced at Lexus it's entire life.. However. The previous owner declined the timing belt service at 90k and then never had it done later. So it went 258k on the original timing belt.
I had it replaced along with the spark plugs, water pump,and drive belt within a week of buying the car, and the tech said he had never seen a timing belt so shiny, and cracked.
In short, I dodged a major bulit, sure you timing belt may last 200+K.....but it's a silly thing to loose an engine over.
If you are getting close to 90k. Try to make plans to get it changed on your next oil service.
I just bought a 1999 AWD as a winter throw-away vehicle. It had 258k on it when I bought it. It has been serviced at Lexus it's entire life.. However. The previous owner declined the timing belt service at 90k and then never had it done later. So it went 258k on the original timing belt.
I had it replaced along with the spark plugs, water pump,and drive belt within a week of buying the car, and the tech said he had never seen a timing belt so shiny, and cracked.
In short, I dodged a major bulit, sure you timing belt may last 200+K.....but it's a silly thing to loose an engine over.
If you are getting close to 90k. Try to make plans to get it changed on your next oil service.
At 145K miles, I replaced the original timing belt on my 02 RX 300. The idler pulley shattered and busted the upper timing belt cover. The belt was still fine, however.