Thanks. Great information. I don't mind doing maintenance but hate spending money on the vehicle if I don't have to.

 

Thanks all. The advice is great stuff.

 

Hi,
My wife's 2006 RX has ~ 93K. Dealer said that it should be changed at 90K, and that they "look" at the water pump to see if it needs to be replaced. How can a visual inpection, other than signs of leakage, tell you if you should replace the pump or not? Should I spend the extra money, and go ahead and replace the pump when I do the belt too? (btw, will not be done by Lexus dealership) Also, should I replace the other belts now, or wait as well?

Thanks

 

CJ,

90 or so seems to be the magic number. I am going to do it all, belts, water pump, idler and tensioner bearings and drive belt, when I am ready.

 

Since you can get an Aisin water pump for ~$60, I would go ahead and do it. It is not much extra labor because you are essentially already in the right location to do timing belt. and yes do the other belts too.

 

this is why i am waiting. question though, did you do water pumps, tensioners, etc on all of them?

 

Hokie,
replace it all if you do it. The Water pumps won't even begin to show bearing wear for at least 100K. Every one I did barely even felt like the water pump bearing had been worn. If you have it apart though, make sure and do the entire job while you can and save you some money in case you decided to replace individually in the future.

I am serious though when I say the belt is nothing to worry about until 110K or 120K. The Water pump I pulled at 120K felt a slight bit worn when turning the pulley, but hardly severely worn or at risk of coming out.

 

I had my belt replaced at ~125,000 at my local Lexus dealership. I wasn't planning on replacing the waterpump, but there were signs of leakage at the shaft, so I had that replaced at the same time.

Total cost was a little under $900. I know my bill was high compared to local mechanic, DIY, etc., but $2000 is outrageous.

Also worth noting is that the belt looked like new. I would not hesitate to put another 130,000 miles on this one.

 

Fwiw, my local Toyota dealer is happy to do Lexus work. He quoted a price of around $550 for timing belt and water pump using Toyota/Lexus branded parts.

 

That's great when they are willing to do it. Our local Toyota dealer will not (Lexus dealer is right down the street). I didn't think they were owned by the same, but that's the only thing that makes sense for them to refuse business and refer to the other. Also, the monthly special "coupons" that they often advertise make it very clear that they apply to Toyota only.

 

I recently had a timing belt break on my 2001 Lx470 WITH 174,000 miles. I had changed the belt at 100,000 miles, so this second belt only lasted a little over 74,000. Everything I read on the internet, led me to believe that because the 4.7 litre engine is an "interference" engine, it would be toast, i.e., bent valves, holes in pistons, etc. This is not necessarily true. I had the vehicle towed to my mechanic, he put a new timing belt on, and it started right up. He installed the timing belt kit (water pump, pulleys, seals, etc.) and it is running great. In fact, it is running better than ever! There is no way to actually "inspect" a timing belt for wear. The rule of thumb is to replace as preventive maintenance every 80-100K miles. But, as stated above, mine went out at just under 75K miles. I know I was extremely lucky that there was absolutely no engine damage. But, don't believe those who say that a timing belt failure will absolutely result in engine damage. It is possible that no damage at all will result. Don't give up. If your timing belt fails, there is still hope. Personal experience and not "hearsay."

 

Same here in Canada [then again, the labor rate is almost the same in either shop], and any Toyota dealer doesn't 'have the system' to check for parts/run VIN's, each brand is specific to its own...

 

Reading through your messages about the timing belt. I have a 2010 that is at 70k so I am planning. Can I ask, do you have a great mechanic? I think I am not too far from you and I am out of luck on mechanics. And my Lexus dealership has changed hands and I no longer get good service by them, or straight talk. Let me know if you have any local tips on service. Thanks.

 

I would say if the book states at certain intervals for major things, I would stick to that. By all means, you can go longer than the suggested 90k for the timing belt. But do you want to go longer in hopes that something won't happen?Or just know that it has been taking care of and move forward? I admit some of the suggested things in the manual are a little bull...but major things...nah they are there for a reason. just my 2 cents.

 

Thank you all for the info. Regarding the Aisin water pump, is that the OEM water pump, or just a recomended replacement?

Thanks