Timing belt kits
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,567
Likes: 87
From: NJ
Timing belt kits
Planning to DIY on the timing belt soon. Can anyone recommend a good timing belt kit they have installed? I prefer inclusive with an Aisin water pump, Mitsuboshi belt and Koyo idlers. Also, what is your experience with Bando PS and AC belts?
CL Community Team
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 16,603
Likes: 1,402
From: Austin, TX
What you mention are the OEM suppliers. Depending on how many miles and previous change, I would suggest replacing the front main seal and cam seals [I did the water pump + seals on 210K]. The seal next to the firewall had to be discarded as I set it in crooked.
Had good experience with AirCabinman. You can get Toyota/Lexus boxed items but they will cost you more.
Salim
Had good experience with AirCabinman. You can get Toyota/Lexus boxed items but they will cost you more.
Salim
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,567
Likes: 87
From: NJ
What you mention are the OEM suppliers. Depending on how many miles and previous change, I would suggest replacing the front main seal and cam seals [I did the water pump + seals on 210K]. The seal next to the firewall had to be discarded as I set it in crooked.
Had good experience with AirCabinman. You can get Toyota/Lexus boxed items but they will cost you more.
Salim
Had good experience with AirCabinman. You can get Toyota/Lexus boxed items but they will cost you more.
Salim
@Salim did you go with a Toyota boxed or OEM supplier boxed timing kit from AirCabinman. I see in his store he has both. I'm familiar and have experience with most of the suppliers in the kits except Bando.
Last edited by fastnoypi; Jun 24, 2018 at 06:45 AM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,567
Likes: 87
From: NJ
CL Community Team
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 16,603
Likes: 1,402
From: Austin, TX
Aisin is the water-pump maker. I think folks call the kit as Aisin kit as long as the water-pump is from them. The again some of the pumps come with metal gasket.
I have used Toyota kit for one vehicle and for the others I have used OE parts. Was the extra money worth it for the red/white box? No opinion on that.
The Accessory belt is something I would not gamble on, just because I am obsessed with specs. There is a tension speced for the new belt and after use [which I think would not apply for NON-OEM]. Lot of folks dont care about it, so for them any belt would work. Alternator tensioner is pain [till you learn how to do it with the right tools], but unlike Timing belt, there is no substantial work sunk in, so go with any brand you like.
Just my personal experience (very limited as I have not given other products a chance) ... I have never had a problem with quality, fit from any part that I have bought from Lexus parts store. Only one poor experience with buying the parts from internet ,, where the supplier shipped only the parts they had (partial fulfillment) and then I had to order from another vendor (two shipping charges made it slightly worse for me). Readers be aware and read the vendor policy.
Salim
I have used Toyota kit for one vehicle and for the others I have used OE parts. Was the extra money worth it for the red/white box? No opinion on that.
The Accessory belt is something I would not gamble on, just because I am obsessed with specs. There is a tension speced for the new belt and after use [which I think would not apply for NON-OEM]. Lot of folks dont care about it, so for them any belt would work. Alternator tensioner is pain [till you learn how to do it with the right tools], but unlike Timing belt, there is no substantial work sunk in, so go with any brand you like.
Just my personal experience (very limited as I have not given other products a chance) ... I have never had a problem with quality, fit from any part that I have bought from Lexus parts store. Only one poor experience with buying the parts from internet ,, where the supplier shipped only the parts they had (partial fulfillment) and then I had to order from another vendor (two shipping charges made it slightly worse for me). Readers be aware and read the vendor policy.
Salim
Last edited by salimshah; Jun 25, 2018 at 09:57 AM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,567
Likes: 87
From: NJ
.....
The Accessory belt is something I would not gamble on, just because I am obsessed with specs. There is a tension speced for the new belt and after use [which I think would not apply for NON-OEM]. Lot of folks dont care about it, so for them any belt would work. Alternator tensioner is pain [till you learn how to do it with the right tools], but unlike Timing belt, there is no substantial work sunk in, so go with any brand you like.
...
Salim
The Accessory belt is something I would not gamble on, just because I am obsessed with specs. There is a tension speced for the new belt and after use [which I think would not apply for NON-OEM]. Lot of folks dont care about it, so for them any belt would work. Alternator tensioner is pain [till you learn how to do it with the right tools], but unlike Timing belt, there is no substantial work sunk in, so go with any brand you like.
...
Salim
I am likely to go again with Toyota OE belts, I have read too many stories (taken with a grain of salt) about endless squeaking and groove tracking problems..especially with Dayco and Goodyear branded AC/power steering belts for the RX300 application.
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Pole Position
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Sacramento, California
I have installed three of the Aisin kits with mitsoboshi belt and been very happy. Koyo bearings or NTN are fine. One on a V8 Toyota Sequoia, one on 2 on Lexus RX400h. No problems and very high quality.
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,567
Likes: 87
From: NJ
thanks for the feedback. what brand PS and Alt belts did you use on your installs? Are they OEM quiet?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,567
Likes: 87
From: NJ
Decided on and picked up the Aisan timing belt kit and OEM PS/Alt belts. I may do the replacement this weekend if the weather stays relatively cooler and less humid unlike last week. For those who have done the DIY, do you need to remove the cam gears and rear plastic shield to slide off/on the water pump? I do not anticipate to replace the cam seals if they are not leaking.
CL Community Team
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 16,603
Likes: 1,402
From: Austin, TX
Decided on and picked up the Aisan timing belt kit and OEM PS/Alt belts. I may do the replacement this weekend if the weather stays relatively cooler and less humid unlike last week. For those who have done the DIY, do you need to remove the cam gears and rear plastic shield to slide off/on the water pump? I do not anticipate to replace the cam seals if they are not leaking.
You will need the stud extractor as the torx head is useless after the heat cycle of the engine. The studs need to be removed to pull out the water pump.
Also get the tool or construct one to hold the pulley to break the bolt. I would also suggest to borrow/buy the high torque wrench. I rely on proper torques and only use thread sealer where it is specified. You will need the blue thread lock for the tensioner roller.
Salim
Last edited by salimshah; Jul 18, 2018 at 02:19 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,567
Likes: 87
From: NJ
i'm aware of the studs and have seen both success with leaving them in and jacking the engine or removing them to remove the water pump. Is there enough remaining thread exposed to thread on a jam nut to perform the double nut method of backing out the studs?
CL Community Team
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 16,603
Likes: 1,402
From: Austin, TX
to my original question, does the rear plastic cover behind the cam gears need to be removed to slide on/off the water pump? Its often addressed as a possible thing in the way.
i'm aware of the studs and have seen both success with leaving them in and jacking the engine or removing them to remove the water pump. Is there enough remaining thread exposed to thread on a jam nut to perform the double nut method of backing out the studs?
i'm aware of the studs and have seen both success with leaving them in and jacking the engine or removing them to remove the water pump. Is there enough remaining thread exposed to thread on a jam nut to perform the double nut method of backing out the studs?
Salim