Are the RX330 engines non-interference?

 

That's a Great Question?
I've read Different Answers concerning that same question!
it seems that it depends on Who You Ask!!
I've called 2 Lexus dealers, and Got 2 Different Answers, both Yes and No, I Know it can't be Both, Unless the year of the RX330 makes a Big Difference!
Don't Take Any Chances, treat it as though it is an Interference Engine, and You'll have No Surprises, just IMO.

 

As I remember from Forum discussions, this engine will go to junkyard if timing belt is broken.

 

Yes, I've heard the same thing!
But if You search the WEB, You'll get 2 different Answers!
Why Risk it or Take a Chance?
I've had 2 Honda's and both of them had a timing belt break before the Recommend Belt Change Interval of 90K miles! They were both interfere engines and I had to pull the head on both and replace some of the Valves and have a Valve job done on the head, and on One of them, I had to pull the pan and replace the ruined piston and the Bent Connecting Rod.
One broke the timing belt on a Frigid morning After Starting the Engine!
Those were Easy to work on 4 cylinder engines, not a Hard to work on 6 cylinder engine, like in the RX.
Really, why take the Chance?

 

I've gotten 2 different answers too. I bought the car from a family member at 92K for $12k. At that time I ask why he wanted to sell this nice pristine car, no real reason but he did state the car was in fantastic shape with no issues. Well that was not true, a few weeks later I just happen to look under the car a little more closely and discovered one of the power steering boots were completely devolved. Melted away because of the rack and pinion was leaking. Not a terrible leak but non the less a leak enough to destroy the boot. I went to the shop where he had been having service and when I ask about the leak they would not look directly at me, that was a confirming fact the owner had lied to me and my wife.
Talked to a local mechanic and he said I could try a can of Lucas power steering stop leak and see what happened. Well anyway I kept the area clean and sure enough it quit leaking and I had another shop replace the boot to keep dirt out of the area.
Then one day I noticed an odd smell coming from the floor board and come to find out it was full of water. Took it to the local garage and they could find anything wrong. This one took me over 6 months to find. I took the carpet loose on the driver side on a nice sunny day and raised the hood to try and see why it was leaking and found an open, looked like a factory bored hole on the fire wall. Could actually see daylight, filled the hole with expandable foam and fixed the leak. Well anyway since then I've retired and $1400 is a lot to put into a vehicle 17 years old, even though it only has 122K miles. Book value is about $7500 in great shape. I guess I was ranting but that said I guess the guy knew the timing belt needed to be replaced but didn't want to put $1400 more dollars into the vehicle.

 

Yep, I know what You mean, I'm 78 and also Retired, I have a 2005 RX330 with 143K miles on it, I bought it with 95K on it, from the Original Elderly Owner, and he had it serviced to Ridiculous Extremes, or the Dealer just took Advantage of his Naivete about cars, Anyway the T'beltand Water Pump were replaced at 89K miles.
Even though replacing the T'belt and Water Pump is Expensive, it's a lot less than a New Engine or a New Car, IMO

 

I agree 100%

 

If I ever buy another vehicle I'd like to make sure they have a chain, not belt.

 

FYI, the toyota/lexus 3.5 liter engine (i.e., RX350) uses a timing chain.

 

A good friend of mine is a Toyota Master Tech and when I asked the question, he said you might get lucky, but the 3MZFE is interference. Some have broken 3MZFE timing belts and been fine; some bent valves. I had a 1984 Honda Accord and the belt let go at 70mph while I was passing someone -- a frightening feeling. That engine was an interference design and I got lucky. Had it towed, replaced and back on the road. The best advice: If you plan to keep the vehicle, change the belt, water pump, tensioner and pulleys..

 

Check this thread for info regarding the Timing Belt I replaced when I purchased the 2005 RX330 @ 137K......
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...z-s-rx330.html

 

CL member Striker a few months ago confirmed the 3MZ is non-interference.

 

Guess the debate continues. Toyota tech MDT (the friend I referenced) has no doubts the 3.3L VVTi is interference. Also as another poster said, "Lexus Variable valve engines are interfering -- depending on circumstances (relative position of piston and valves ,,,, as controlled by VVTi) you may or may-not be in interference mode." In the end, I wouldn't want to chance it since there are posts of belts breaking and taking the engine with it.

 

MDT tech provided me this from the service manual.

 

thanks for the info